Soft, comfy to the feet, beautiful, “like walking on air.” Those are the words commonly used to describe new carpet, along with lots of oohs and ahs. So why shouldn’t those terms come to mind years later when you see that carpet? The truth is, a lot of carpets start to look, well, worn. Stained. Dirty. So how do you keep that brand-new carpet looking just like the first day you saw it?
1. Choose the right carpet for your space. Don’t just buy the first carpet you see. Think about how much traffic the carpet gets, what kind of traffic (pets, kids, etc.), chance of spills and maintenance needed. Determine your budget, and ask the experts. Some kinds of carpet are made specifically for homes that have pets or for high-traffic areas.
carpet cleaning
- Stop dirt at the door. Use mats in your mudroom and at your exit doors to stem the flow of dust, water, mud and other dirt tracked into your house.
- Buy a vacuum that won’t damage your carpet, and vacuum regularly. All vacuums are created equal and won’t damage carpet, will it? Unfortunately, you’re wrong. Some vacuums are so powerful they can damage the fibers in your carpet. Use our post to determine what vacuum cleaner is right for you, and for your carpet. Once you’ve chosen the right vacuum cleaner, use it once a week to keep your carpet looking like new.
- Know the right way to clean up spots. When you find a spot, clean it up as soon as possible—the sooner the better. And do you apply some serious elbow grease into scrubbing those pet stains, spilled juice or muddy footprints? You may be damaging your carpet fibers. Next time you need to clean up carpet stains, blot at your carpet with a moist cloth to remove the spill.
- Use area rugs. In high-traffic areas, use area rugs to take the strain off your carpet. For example, if the area is a common walkway (or runway in the case of children), put down a runner. Vacuum the rugs often to make sure the dirt stays on the rugs.
- Carpet clean. We’re not talking about renting one of those cheap store brands. Give your carpets a real, professional clean twice a year, or at least annually. Make an appointment via email or by Facebook to give your carpets a deep clean, and to keep them clean—and looking new.
