During the winter, people close their homes to keep out the cold weather and heat their homes more efficiently. However, with your home closed up, dirt, dust mites, and other airborne debris will circulate through the home and settle into the carpet. By the time the spring arrives, your carpet is full of dirt and debris from the winter that needs to be removed. This is why carpet cleaning should be part of your spring cleaning effort. Effective carpet cleaning will remove the debris that has been accumulating in your carpet all winter and help restore its look. Removing this debris from your carpet will also contribute to a healthier environment in your home.
As you begin spring cleaning in your home, make sure you work in the following carpet cleaning tips to clean and restore your carpeting. If you would like additional help cleaning your carpet, you can always call a professional for carpet cleaning services.
Start by Vacuuming
Hopefully, you have been vacuuming your carpet regularly throughout the winter. Regular vacuuming is the most effective way to maintain your carpet and remove much of the embedded debris from the fibers. By removing the embedded dirt and debris, you can prevent your carpet from deteriorating or looking discolored. You must continue to vacuum your carpet regularly in the spring and throughout the year to keep it in good shape. Vacuuming does not remove everything though which is why you should consider annual professional carpet cleaning.
Use Welcome Mats
One way to protect your carpet from dirt and debris is to prevent the dirt from being tracked into your home in the first place. Placing welcome mats by every entrance will encourage people to wipe their feet when they enter your home, reducing the dirt and debris being dragged in. People will be walking in and out of your home more frequently in the spring and summer so make sure you have your welcome mats in place.
Remove Stains
Carpet stains are tough to remove and using an over-the-counter carpet stain remover can be damaging to your carpet if you don’t use it properly. There are a couple of ways you can try removing carpet stains yourself without risking damage to the carpet. Try treating the stains with a solution consisting of one cup of cold water and 1/4 teaspoon of liquid detergent with no bleach. You can also try removing the stain using vinegar and an iron. Make a solution that is one part vinegar to three parts water. Dampen a towel with this solution and lay it over the stain. Iron the towel over the stain until the stain transfers to the towel. If these methods do not remove the stain, you can call a carpet cleaning professional to treat the stain with their specialized products.
Protect your Carpet from Stains
Applying a stain protector will help you prevent stains in the carpet, but these protectors wear out over time. The spring season is the ideal time to re-apply a stain protector to your carpet.
Clean Up Spills Quickly
If something spills on your carpet, you must clean it up immediately. The longer you leave a spill to soak up in the carpet fibers, the higher the risk for a stain. Make sure you blot dry a spill as soon as it happens to prevent staining.
Remove Odors
Like other types of fabric, carpeting can absorb foul odors that can make the room smell bad. Fortunately, you can remove odors from your carpet safely using a mixture of essential oils and baking soda. Add 10-20 drops of essential oil to 16 ounces of baking soda and mix the solution so that the oils become absorbed completely into the baking soda. Sprinkle the baking soda mixture onto the area of your carpet with the odor and let it sit for 5 minutes before removing it with the vacuum. If the odors are persistent, you may need help from a carpet cleaning professional.
Fluff the Carpet
Heavy foot traffic and furniture can flatten or indent the carpet fibers which will make the carpet look worn out. You can fluff the carpet fibers using only an ice cube, towel, and iron. Start by letting the ice cube melt into the flattened or indented area. Once the ice cube melts, use a towel to softly blot up the excess water and leave the moist towel laid over the area. Turn the iron on a low setting and iron the moist towel until the fibers are mostly dry. Let the carpet continue to air dry and then fluff up the fibers with your hands.
Call for Professional Carpet Cleaning Services
By working these carpet cleaning tips into your spring cleaning routine, you can help you improve the look and condition of your carpet. However, it is important to remember that while these tips do help, it takes professional carpet cleaning services to completely remove embedded debris and tough stains. Carpet cleaning professionals use advanced cleaning equipment and methods that are designed to lift stubborn stains and debris safely out of all carpet types. As you get your spring cleaning started, follow these tips to clean your carpet and call a professional if you need extra help.
