Maybe you have brand new carpet. Or you have older carpet still in great shape and you want it to last as long as possible. Here’s the “411” on taking care of your carpet.
Four Steps for Proper Carpet Care
Carpet cleaning is all about developing a routine. If you get into a good routine and keep it up, you will see great results. Here are four simple steps to keep your carpet clean and looking great:
Vacuum regularly.
Vacuum frequently in high traffic areas and everywhere else using a vacuuming schedule. Be sure you are using a Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Seal of Approval- certified vacuum.
PRO TIP: You should vacuum your heavily trafficked areas twice a week to remove dirt and grit. You really cannot over vacuum a carpet, as long as you are using a proper vacuum cleaner.
Don't ignore spots.
Clean spots and spills quickly with products that do not damage your carpet or cause it to resoil quickly. CRI-certified solutions clean effectively and maintain the life of your carpet.
Call in the professionals.
Professionally deep clean your carpets every 12 to 18 months to remove embedded dirt and grime. CRI-certified cleaners are recommended and sometimes required by the manufacturer to ensure results and warranty protection.
Use preventative measures.
Stop dirt at the door by using mats outside and in, taking your shoes off when you enter the space, and changing your air filters regularly to reduce airborne dust particles.
Best Cleaning Products for Carpet by Fiber
Always use a product that is made for use on carpet, especially for spot treating. Avoid using stain-removing laundry products on carpets, because they require way too much water for thorough rinsing, and any cleaning agents left behind can serve as dirt magnets. Choose products specifically formulated for carpets for the best result.
Cleaning Treatment
SYNTHETIC CARPETS
Clensing Agent / Treatment
- Cold Water.
- 1 teaspoon mild laundry detergent in 1 litre of warm water
- Chill with aerosol freezing agent or ice cubes in a plastic bag. Pick or scrape off gum.
- Clear nail polish remover without lanolin
- Rust remover (to be applied by a professional carpet cleaner)
- Clear houshold disinfectant
- Undiluted white vinegar.
- Vacuum immediately. If any residue call professional carpet cleaner
- Rinse with warm water.
Triexta (SmartStrand) and PET (Polyester)
Most household spills can be easily removed using the steps below. Treatment of the affected area should begin immediately upon discovery as stain removal becomes more difficult with time. To start, locate your stain on a Common Stains Chart and follow these steps:
- First, use a spoon or dull knife to remove as much solid material as possible.
- Always work from the outside of stain to the center to prevent spreading, especially with large stains.
- Blot up liquid spills with a white towel or paper towel.
- For best results, try to remove the remaining stain with warm water.
Nylon:
For most stains, follow these instructions to clean your carpet:
1. Take two empty spray bottles, and fill one with cold water. In the other, mix 1/4 teaspoon mild dishwashing liquid, like Dawn Ultra Dishwashing Liquid Dish Soap, and 1 cup warm water.
2. Spray the detergent solution onto an absorbent cloth (not the carpet — you don't want to wet it too much), and dab (don't rub!) it on the spot. As the stain dissolves, blot with a clean section of cloth. Keep applying and blotting until the stain is gone.
3. Spray another cloth with the cold water, and dab the area to completely rinse the detergent solution from the carpet, then blot again with a dry cloth.
4. Pile a stack of paper towels on the wet spot, and place a heavy vase or pot on top. Overnight, the towels will soak up any residual stain deep in the carpet. In the morning, fluff the fibers with your fingers and allow it to air-dry.
5. If the stain remains, repeat these steps or try a targeted cleaning solution that claims to remove the specific type of stain you have.
Wool:
Always take up as much of the soil/stain as possible before using a spot remover that is safe for wool. For example, one teaspoon of clear dishwashing liquid (should NOT contain any bleaches or strong alkalis) with one cup warm (not hot) water. Be sure to rinse well after spot cleaning. Absorbent powders like Host and Capture can be used on wool carpet.
In case of extensive or old set-in stains, use a professional carpet cleaner that is experienced with cleaning wool carpet.
SPECIALTY CLEANING SOLUTIONS:
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE/AMMONIA: Mix 1/2 cup hydrogen peroxide (3% solution available in drug stores) with one teaspoon undiluted, unscented, clear (non-sudsy) household ammonia. Use within two hours of mixing.
VINEGAR: one part white vinegar to one part water.
AMMONIA: One tablespoon to one cup water.
SOLVENT: Liquid, non-oily, non-caustic type sold for spot removal from garments. Use products for grease, oil, and tar removal such as Power Gel from jondon.com or proschoice.com. Do not apply directly to carpet to prevent carpet damage.
PRO TIP: Do not use just any household cleaner you have on hand. Many household products contain chemicals that may permanently damage your carpet.
What's New At Enhance
It’s the time of year that new products are arriving daily. Just this week we have received new LVP styles from Mohawk, COREtec, and FirmFit. New colors that are NOT grey! In carpet we have updates from DreamWeaver, Anderson Tuftex and Karastan. New laminate colors are here from Karastan and new hardwood styles from Palmetto Road, Chesapeake, and Karastan. If you’ve been looking around for new flooring and just haven’t found what you are looking for, be sure to ask us to show you what’s new. The perfect color may now be available!
