Carpet is a long-term investment and often the main focus in a room, so naturally we all want our carpets to last like new for as long as possible. Here are our Top Ten Tips for looking after your carpet.
1. Vacuum
To keep your carpets clean, as well as lasting longer, vacuum regularly. How regularly will depend on how many people you have in your household. For small homes vacuum high traffic areas 2 to 3 times a week and the rest of the house once a week, for larger homes once a day for high traffic areas. Also ensure that you are using effective vacuuming techniques by using slow strokes several times in different directions.
2. Leave shoes at the door
Having a ‘no shoe policy’ will help to prevent outside dirt being trudged all over your carpets. Have a shoe rack or cupboard near the door for organisation.
3. Treat stains immediately
Treat any stains as soon as you see them. If it is a liquid spill use a blotting technique to remove excess, and never rub as it will only push the stain deeper into the carpet and be sure to use a quality stain remover.
4. Regular deep cleans
Call in the professionals a couple of times or at least once a year to give your carpets a deep clean. The main reason is to avoid leaving soil in the carpet for too long, as it can lead to permanent staining and the wearing down of carpet fibres.
5. Train your pets
If you have house pets, make sure they are properly trained to relieve themselves outside or in the kitty litter (depending on the type of pet). If you need to hire a professional trainer do so, as it is helping your pet as well in the long run.
6. Use mats and area rugs
Placing mats and rugs down can help minimise the amount of dirt and wear and tear on your carpet. Door mats at all entrances can make a significant difference to how much dirt enters the house.
7. Restrict food and drink to designated areas
Spills happen and you don’t always see them. To be safe, restrict food and drink to certain areas of the house.
8. Use stain protector
Over time, the stain resistance in your carpet wears away, so regularly re-apply a stain-resistant protector after cleaning.
9. Test colour fastness
Test the colour fastness of furniture and rugs before placing them on your carpet to avoid colour transfer that leads to stains.
10. Beware of the Sun
If there are any areas that are particularly subjected to a lot of sun, close the drapes or blinds over the windows to protect from fading or discolouration.
