Keep Your Carpet Spotless
By Evelyn Fielding
Photo © Sergiy Serdyuk - iStockphoto
 Maintaining your home's carpet is an investment in how it looks now and how it holds value over the years. Vacuum your carpet frequently, change traffic patterns occasionally, keep dirt where it belongs, and shampoo regularly, and your carpet will look and feel gorgeous for decades.
The Vacuum Routine
Vacuuming frequently actually reduces your workload in the end. Dirt not only looks bad, it cuts your carpet's fibers and ruins its texture. Fine grit filters through the backing until you're walking on a potential mud puddle every time something spills.
Vacuum open spaces and everything that's easy to reach once a week. Hit high traffic areas twice a week. Once a month, vacuum under furniture and around the baseboards and radiators using all those wonderful onboard vacuum tools.
Directing Traffic
High traffic areas wear quickly, so take steps to change traffic patterns occasionally. Rearrange the furniture from time to time, or add a small table in a hallway or entry. If the kids always use the same side door, change their habits to a different entrance. Perhaps most importantly, designate eating and drinking areas to avoid spills.
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If you can't redirect traffic to protect your home's carpet, use area rugs. Small rugs are excellent decorative items and much easier to clean than a whole carpet.
Minimizing Dirt
Perhaps the best way to keep your carpet clean is to keep dirt out of your home. Sweep outside walkways with a sturdy broom every couple of weeks. Put welcome mats at every entrance, both outside and inside. Consider a “no shoes” policy, and provide extra slippers so guests can feel comfortable.
Confine new pets to uncarpeted areas until they learn good bathroom manners. Teach your dog to stand patiently in the entryway until you've wiped its feet with a towel you keep handy by the door. This only takes a moment and prevents a trail of doggie prints across the living room.
The Wash Cycle
Shampoo the entire carpet in the spring and fall. Do it yourself one time and hire a professional the other time so your carpet gets a deep cleaning at least once a year.
Treat spills quickly to avoid stains. Keep a spill-fixing kit handy in a plastic bin so everyone in the house can clean spots easily. For an excellent list of items for your spot removal kit, visit Bob's Carpet Care.
By taking these simple steps to maintain your home's carpet, you'll extend its life and save time and money. Be vigilant: it's well worth the effort. |
