Carpet Maintenance
Benefits of keeping your carpet clean:
1. Prolonging the life of the carpet (ground in soil particles weaken the carpet’s fibers)
2. Providing a fresh, clean look where the carpet is placed
3. Improve the scent in the room
4. Easing the pain for allergy and asthmatics by removing germs and dust
Carpet runners and mats help prevent soil from being tracked inside. Pads under desk chairs can prevent ground-in soil.
Dirt and grit damage carpet by rubbing against carpet fibers. Carpet sweepers and rakes can easily remove surface dirt, but regular vacuuming (as often as possible-some manufacturers recommend one day per week per person in the household) prevents the deep abrasion that ruins carpet. Remember to empty the vacuum or change the disposable bags often because it is better to be clean.
Tips on choosing the most effective vacuum cleaner:
1. Using dual motors (one motor provides suction while the other powers a beater bar that loosens dirt)
2. Good filtration
3. Correct brush height adjustment for your type of carpet
4. A beater bar or rotating brush which loosens the dirt and grit better than a canister vacuum
5. A top-loading bag instead of a bottom-loading bag
Vacuum brushes can damage some thick loop pile carpets (such as Berbers). Follow the carpet manufacturer's recommendations or use a suction-only vacuum for these carpets.
Powerful methods that will make your life easier:
1. You can start by sprinkling salt an hour before vacuuming brightens carpet.
2. Hold a steam iron over your flattened carpet in order to pull the fiber up. Be sure not to touch the carpet with the iron.
3. Allow an ice cube to melt in indentations left by furniture for the carpet fibers to rise again.
The last bit you must remember is that carpets should be deep cleaned with hot water extraction (steam cleaning) every 12 to 24 months. Steam cleaning involves spraying a high-pressure solution of water and detergent and vacuuming the dirty solution. Refer to the manufacturer's warranty for the recommended deep cleaning method.
