Guide and Tips To Preserve and Protect Your New Carpet

So you really like that new carpet sample you saw in the store. It is a light-colored carpet that will help to improve the overall look in your home in terms of brightness and cheerfulness. You are looking at new carpets because the current one in your home is dark and old.

Because there are tall shade trees outside, the interior of your home is dark and you need a light-colored carpet. But how in the world are you ever going to keep it clean? The key is in the preventative measures you take to keep the accidents off your carpet. Here are some tips to be proactive in keeping your carpet clean.

Tip 1: Don’t allow your kids, friends, or spouse to have food and beverage over the carpet. If you do allow this in a family room then at least put a throw rug underneath the carpeted area. A plastic-backed throw rug is probably the best. Food and beverages not only put your carpet at risk for staining and damage but they draw roaches and mice too. Roaches and mice mean their droppings get on your carpet as well.

Tip 2: Don’t allow shoes to be worn in the house. Most people when they buy a new carpet implement this rule right away. And then after a couple months they go right back to wearing shoes because of the inconvenience. This is the one tip that sticking to will pay off with the best benefit. Just imagine what you track in from the outside with your shoes. Get a picture in your mind about what he soles of your shoes actually come in contact with and you will quickly want to enforce your no-shoe rule.

Tip 3: Get the spills and stains up quickly. This should probably be ranked at the top because its importance cannot be overemphasized. The quicker you get a spill, pet stain, or other stain that appears cleaned up, the less likely it will result in permanent discoloration on the fibers. Have yourself a clean white cloth and some mild soap (like dish soap) to quickly blot up a stain when you see it. If that does not work, use club soda or vinegar. For tougher stains you can even use salt or baking soda in order for the staining material to bond with it and then vacuum it up when it dries.

Tip 4: Vacuum regularly. This keeps the loose surface dirt off the carpet and prevents it from getting ground in as people walk over it.

Tip 5: Steam clean or do deep cleaning every four to six months. This takes care of getting any soil that is ground into your carpet because it shots steam and hot detergent all the way through and extracts it. You can buy a home steam cleaner, rent, or hire the service for this task.

Carpeting is a major investment and with proper care it will last you for many years to come.

Next article: Vacuuming Your New Carpet – Why It Is Important