How to Keep Your Carpets Clean

Carpet Cleaning Joondalup is important for several reasons. Dirty carpet impedes airflow, and manufacturers often won’t honor warranties if you have the wall-to-wall carpet cleaned every 12 to 18 months.

Carpet Cleaning

To keep carpeting looking its best, vacuum at least once a week using a quality machine with a hose attachment and an extendable brush for hard-to-reach areas. Spot cleaning stains as soon as they occur helps prevent them from soaking into carpet fibers.

Dirt is the most obvious culprit for making carpets look dirty. Gritty dirt particles grind against carpet fibers, leaving tiny nicks in the fibers that dull the sheen and mat them down. This dirt is why you see dark lines under doors, around furniture legs, and along the carpeted stairs. This is called filtration soil, and it is visible proof that your carpets are not getting cleaned thoroughly enough.

Regular vacuuming removes most of this dirt, but it is impossible to remove it all. Changing furnace filters regularly and having the ductwork professionally cleaned also helps. This reduces the amount of airborne dirt and dust that settles in the home, keeping it from getting blown onto floors and carpeting.

If you have thick dirt or stains that cannot be removed with a regular carpet cleaner, try applying baking soda to the affected areas of your carpeting. Let it sit for a while, then use a dry sponge mop to lift the cream and trapped dirt. Repeat this process as needed to keep dirt from building up in the carpeting.

Another way to prevent deep dirt build-up is to vacuum frequently — several times each week, if possible. This will remove most surface dirt and help prevent it from settling into the carpeting and matting down the fibers. Another trick to help prevent dirt from building up in the first place is to put doormats at every entrance into your home, and to make sure that family members are always wearing shoes indoors, which helps to remove the majority of outside dirt before it even gets on the carpeting.

Professional cleaning companies have equipment for removing tough dirt and stains that ordinary carpet cleaners can’t. This includes hot water extraction (also known as steam cleaning), in which technicians pre-condition your carpeting with a special solution that loosens stains and dirt. They then use a high-pressure wand to apply hot water and clean your carpets.

Some people are taken aback in the immediate aftermath of this process by an odor that smells like a thousand wet dogs. This is due to certain gases released by the carpet fibers as they get wet, and it will dissipate as the carpet dries.

Pets are a big part of a family’s life but they can also be hard on carpet. Not only does their hair cling to the fabric and become very difficult to remove with vacuuming, but their muddy paws can actually cause the color of carpet fibers to fade over time. There are many tips and tricks that can help with keeping pet hair off of carpet but if you want to truly win the battle, then regular vacuuming is key.

Investing in a specialized pet vacuum cleaner with an extended hose and angled brush attachment is essential. This allows you to get into those hard-to-reach places where your furry family member loves to snuggle up. This kind of pet specific vacuum is often more expensive but is definitely worth the investment, especially if you have pets with long, thick coats that shed heavily.

For an easy, quick and cheap hack that’s great for high-pile carpets, try using a sticky lint roller or sellotape to pull pet hair out of the fabric. This doesn’t get all of the hair out and may require multiple passes over a large area, but it is a fast way to make a room presentable before guests arrive.

A rubber broom is another useful tool for removing pet hair from your carpet. It has rubber bristles that generate static electricity which attracts pet hair, causing it to stick to the surface of the carpet. It’s a very effective method for getting rid of the most stubborn hair and can be used on hardwood or tile floors as well.

Baking soda is also a great natural remedy for getting rid of pet hair from carpet. Sprinkle a liberal amount over the affected areas and let it settle before vacuuming. This not only eliminates the hair but deodorizes the space as well.

For a more permanent solution, you can use washable mats and blankets that are made of materials that don’t attract pet hair. Encourage your pet to sleep or lounge on these rather than the carpet and you’ll reduce the amount of dirt, mud and hair that gets tracked into your home.

Allergens like pet dander, dust mite allergen, pollen and mold spores can cause sinus irritation, itching, sneezing and wheezing in individuals who suffer from these types of allergies. These contaminants can be trapped in your carpet and can trigger allergy symptoms when they become airborne.

The best way to prevent these contaminants is to have your carpets cleaned regularly. However, this alone will only go so far. Regular vacuuming, accompanied by the use of non-toxic cleaning products, can help reduce the amount of allergens in your carpet.

Some types of carpets are better for allergy-prone individuals, such as wool or synthetic rugs, than others. Carpets made from natural fibers tend to be hypoallergenic and have a tighter weave. However, even these types of carpets can trap allergens in their nooks and crannies, especially when they are not properly maintained.

In addition, some types of cleaning products can trigger allergy symptoms. If you are sensitive to these chemicals, it is a good idea to purchase organic carpeting or opt for a synthetic rug that does not contain any dyes or additives. You should also place mats at entrances of your home to cut down on the number of dirt and allergens tracked onto your carpet.

Another source of allergens in your carpet comes from your clothing and the furniture in your home. You may have draperies or other window coverings that can collect dust and dander. In addition, if you have any upholstered furniture in your home, it should be cleaned regularly to avoid stains and mildew that can trigger allergic reactions.

The most common allergens that can settle in your carpet include pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and mold spores. All of these can trigger allergies and asthma in certain people, and they can all be reduced with the use of carpet cleaning services. Vacuuming is a great start, but it can be difficult to remove all of these substances on your own. Having your carpets and other soft surfaces professionally cleaned by an experienced carpet cleaner is the best way to control the irritants that can trigger allergies.

It’s not possible to avoid stains altogether, whether from coffee spills, wine splashes or your dog’s muddy footprints. But you can learn how to recognize a stain in its early stages and react quickly so that it doesn’t have time to set. The key is to pretreat the stain with a cleaning product that won’t discolor your carpet. Always test a small area of the carpet before using any cleaner, and check with your carpet manufacturer to see what they recommend. If your carpet is made of natural fibers, it’s especially susceptible to discoloration from water-based cleaners.

Typically, natural-fiber carpets are more resistant to stains than synthetic-fiber ones, but there’s still no guarantee that a spill or spot won’t appear. The type of stain you have also affects how easy it is to remove. Organic stains come from things that occur in nature, such as bodily fluids or plants, while non-organic stains are human-made, such as nail polish or paint.

If you have a liquid stain, such as red juice drinks or frozen treats, scrape off any solids that are stuck to the stain and gently dab with a white cloth or paper towel. Don’t rub, which can push the stain deeper into the carpet fibers. Be sure to change the cloth frequently to prevent the cleaning material or the color of the fabric from transferring to the stain.

Water-soluble stains are usually the easiest to treat, but even these can be difficult on dark carpets. The best way to treat them is to use a water-based cleaning solution approved by the Carpet and Rug Institute, such as club soda or white vinegar. If you’re using a water-based stain-removal product, blot the spot as dry as possible with a clean cloth.

Grease and oil stains can be particularly stubborn because they tend to soak into carpet fibers. The best way to treat them is with cornstarch or baking soda, which will absorb the excess oil and make it easier to vacuum up. You can also use a bit of rubbing alcohol, which is sometimes mixed with the stain-removal solution, to help break down the oil and make it more easily vacuumed up.