Carpet care tips from National Floors Direct

A Home Owner's Guide to Basic Carpet Care

Are you looking for a new flooring option for your home? Carpet is one of the most popular flooring choices on the market today. It's comfortable, easy to install, adaptable, and affordable.

However, when choosing a carpet, it is important to learn about carpet care and how to maintain it. Choosing carpet over other flooring has many advantages, but preserving it may be a challenge if you don’t know what to do.

It's also important to remember that the cleaning and maintenance methods you use will depend on the type of carpet you select. Want to learn more about maintaining your beautiful carpet? Read on to learn some tips and tricks so your carpeted floors will look stunning for years to come. 

Carpet Care and Maintenance

Here are a few handy pointers for carpet maintenance. This list will help you preserve the condition of your carpet.

Vacuum Every Week

Carpet often captures dust and other airborne particles. To keep a healthy, allergen-free environment, make sure to get these vacuumed up as they accumulate over time. You should vacuum your carpet once a week, at least. This will keep dirt from seeping down into your carpet.

But, if you have a large family and you have your entire home carpeted, you may need to vacuum more like two to three times per week. If you own pets and let them sleep or play on the carpet, you should vacuum more often. Regular carpet vacuuming keeps it looking good and wards against dirt-related harm.

If you find it to be a hardship because of your busy schedule, you might consider hiring a carpet cleaning company. Hiring someone to clean your carpet will allow you to unwind while professional cleaners take care of the work. 

Move Your Furniture Around

On carpeted flooring, minor indentations from your furniture are inevitable. However, leaving heavy items in the same spot for an extended period can damage your carpets, especially where the carpet meets the furniture's legs. Furthermore, since vacuuming can't reach certain locations, dirt buildup could happen.

Be careful to move your furnishings around the home every few months to prevent this. By doing this, you'll evenly divide the pressure that the furniture legs are applying to your carpet. Altering foot patterns will also help with furniture rearranging.

Taking this step will allow your carpet to wear in an even manner over time. It's best to move light furniture each time you vacuum so you can reach the crevices underneath. By doing this, you can be sure to clean the whole carpet and prevent dirt from gathering in hard-to-reach places.

Deal With Stains Right Away

It's crucial to treat stains on your carpet as soon as you see them because it’s an important part of your floor maintenance. Dealing with the stain right away helps keep the stain from setting in for good.

When spills occur, the first thing you should do is press clean, white cotton or an absorbent piece of paper as tightly as you can over the damaged area. You should add a cleaning solution to the absorbents as well. Be careful not to rub, as this could spread the stain more. 

There are various kinds of stains, and each has a specific cleaning treatment. The kind of cleaning solution you should use will depend on the type and severity of the stain.

Baking soda, vinegar, soapy water, and other available items are common stain removers. It is wise to seek expert advice from a carpet cleaning business or carpet manufacturers if you are unsure which cleaners are appropriate for your type of carpet. 

Think About Carpet Pads and Cushions

There are several carpet cushions and pads available nowadays that can improve comfort and increase the life of the carpet. The foam underlayment, designed to work as a shock absorber, stops the wear and tear often brought on by years of constant foot traffic. This is especially the case if you have a large family.

Additionally, they enhance airflow and suction pressure, which increases the effectiveness of vacuuming. A golden rule is to talk to the flooring contractor about the cushion or pad options before purchasing the carpet. This is especially helpful if you're a first-time homeowner.

The best options for you may depend on the type of flooring you have beneath your carpet. Flooring manufacturers often advise you on a particular carpet pad and cushion thickness. Then they will give flooring contractors advice regarding the suggested configuration.

This means that the recommended pad and cushion will fluctuate depending on whether your home has wood flooring or vinyl flooring. To ensure the best outcome, make a point of speaking with a flooring specialist.

Keep Dirt Away From Carpeted Rooms

Do you wear dirty shoes inside the house? It's time for you to reconsider that idea. Shoes bring in a variety of outside dirt, which can make your carpet filthy, fast.

Your shoes' insoles getting encrusted with dirt and debris could hasten the carpet's deterioration. So, be sure to remove your shoes before entering your home's carpeted areas.

Trim the Snags

Your carpet will get unattractive snags over time. This is common, especially if kids and pets play on the carpet or if you move your furniture around without fully raising it off the ground. The best way to handle carpet snags is to carefully trim them at the base with sharp carpet scissors.

This approach will stop the loose threads from spreading further. To avoid ruining your carpet, avoid pulling the carpet snags with your hands. 

Also, to stop cats from scratching your carpet, think about buying hanging cat scratchers. Regarding the playful kiddos, see if you can convince them to be more mindful of the new carpet.

Caring for Your Carpet Ensures Lasting Beauty 

Don't be overwhelmed when it comes to carpet care. It’s all in the consistency and prioritizing of your home maintenance. A little attention will go a long way in preserving your pristine, beautiful carpeted flooring.

Are you looking to carpet your new home or to upgrade what you have? We can help! We offer the best prices, individualized attention, unmatched industry expertise, top-tier carpet flooring brands, and prompt professional installation.

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