Cleaning and Maintaining Carpeted Floors

4/17/2018 (Permalink)

Addressing stains quickly can prevent a stain from permanently soiling a carpet.

Much like paint, carpeting can quickly transform the look of a room. Carpeting can be a durable flooring material, but it will need upkeep to look its best. Carpeting that will be in high-traffic areas, such as halls and entryways, may require the most TLC. Routine vacuuming is necessary to dislodge dust and dirt particles. But at some point a more thorough cleaning may be necessary. Vacuuming Frequent vacuuming will prolong the life of the carpet by preventing a buildup of particles inside of the carpet fiber that can eventually cause friction and sever carpet fibers. Use of a crevice tool and other attachments can enable cleaning in the corners where the carpet meets baseboards and moldings. When vacuuming larger rooms, divide the room into separate areas and tackle each area separately before moving on to another portion of the room. Take time when vacuuming carpet. Plush carpets will trap dirt more easily than a thinner or less dense carpet, so more passes of the vacuum might be necessary. Overlap strokes in a crisscross pattern to get at dirt at different angles. Pet hair and vacuumed particles of food can create odor inside of the vacuum bag. Treating spills Spills are one thing that homeowners in carpeted homes may fear. If not addressed quickly, liquid or food may permanently damage a carpet. It is recommended to manage a spill as soon as it happens to reduce the possibility that it will contribute to a permanent stain. Carefully blot up the spill until much of the offending item is removed before adding any type of cleaning agent. Test the cleaning product in an inconspicuous area prior to using it on the spill to ensure it will not damage or discolor the carpet. Work from the outside of the stain and move inward to keep the stain from spreading outward. Use a plush, white towel to blot up any remaining moisture and spill. The towel also will help to fluff up the pile of the carpet. Remove shoes Dirt and germs can be tracked into the house on the bottom of shoes. Eventually this material can be deposited on carpets, which then becomes lodged inside the fibers. To reduce the amount of dirt tracked in, make it a rule to take off shoes upon entering the house. If pets are the culprits of tracked-in dirt, keep a towel by the door and wipe the animal's paws before allowing it to roam through the house.

If the carpet is stained beyond what you think you can do yourself contact the experts at SERVPRO of Lexington/Thomasville.  Our trained professionals are experts on stain removal.