How To Prolong Your Carpet's Lifespan
Carpet is a great way to add warmth and depth to the interior of your home. However, as with all types of flooring, carpeting can be a bit unforgiving at times. You can ensure that you prolong the lifespan of your carpet by just following some simple advice. Use this article to serve as your guide to keeping your carpet looking great.
The first step to prolonging the life of any carpet or rug is to avoid unnecessary damage due to dirt or grime. Make sure you let friends and family know to take off shoes before stepping on your carpet. It doesn't make you seem like a diva to ask people to help keep your carpet looking fresh. Keep some slippers that visitors can wear around your home as a replacement for socks. It is much easier to prevent stains than to clean them up after they happen.
Make sure you keep your carpet clean and dirt free by vacuuming. This should be done twice a week if you have a hectic schedule, but it is best to vacuum daily. Keep in mind the less you vacuum, the more chances you have of stepping on pieces of food or other objects that get embedded in the carpet fibers. Make sure you keep your vacuum clean too. If the bag or canister is full, make sure to clean it. Vacuuming with an unclean machine will add more dirt to your already dirty carpet.
Direct sunlight can lead to a sun damaged carpet. Make sure you have curtains or window treatments blowing out direct sunlight. Once your carpet is damaged by the sun, it is permanent. Sun damage often results in discolorations that are impossible to cure.
Always be prepared for messes and stains. If you have kids or pets, you know how easy it is for those small "oopsies" to turn into permanent stains. If you encounter a stain, it is important that you extract the stain exactly when it happens. Make sure you absorb liquid stains with a paper towel or use a shop vac. Always blot the affected area instead of rubbing it. Use a small bit of cleaning agent, and repeat the process until the spot is gone.
Keep your carpet clean by shampooing it at least once a year. If you aren't prepared to do this yourself, consider calling a professional cleaning crew. Your fibers need to be cleaned and revitalized to prevent premature aging of your carpet.
When you move furniture, fibers have a tendency to get compressed. Make sure you don't leave it at that! If you leave the fibers compressed, they will stay that way and age your carpet. Make sure you fluff the flattened fibers to revitalize them. Meanwhile, this may seem like an irritating extra step, it is vital to prolonging the life of your carpet.
Many things can age your carpet and make it appear worn to the naked eye. This article described some great ways that you can prolong the life of your carpet. Remember all that you've learned to ensure your investment lasts a few years.
