Helpful Tips For Clean, Better Looking and Durable Carpets

by Martin Moran Project Management Consultant

It's easy to see why the carpet is one of the most popular choices in the nation. It looks great, feels soft underfoot and is inexpensive to install. The main issue with carpets is that they require a fair amount of maintenance to look good and to reach its full life expectancy. Every time you step on your carpet, you grind dirt into the fibers. The dirt is abrasive like sandpaper and may cause the fibers to wear out faster. This is the reason why clean carpets are likely to not only look better, but actually be more durable than carpets cleaned less often.

Do It Yourself or Hire Professional Carpet Cleaning Services

Both DIY methods and professional systems can clean carpets. Each has its pros and cons. Hiring a professional carpet cleaning service is one way to ensure the job is done using the most appropriate equipment and cleaning solutions. Carpet cleaning contractors are often also proficient in carpet repair, meaning that you may be able to have small tears fixed at the same time your carpet is being cleaned.

While DIY methods cost less, they are rarely as detailed. Even if you rent the same equipment a professional carpet cleaning company is going to use, unless you have any experience operating it, it will be difficult to achieve the same results. Additionally, you'll have to transport the bulky equipment to your home and then back to the store you rented it.

A bigger issue is that DIY methods provide plenty of opportunities for you to damage your carpet. The most common ways DIYs damage carpets are by over wetting, over shampooing or failing to protect the wet carpet from furniture.

Pick the Right Carpet Cleaning Service

When choosing a carpet cleaning service, stick with reputable companies and ask for quotes upfront. Stairs are more labor intensive, so some contractors may charge for them separately on a per-step basis. Low offers may sound good, but most companies can't make money at those prices. They'll try to sell you extra soil retardants, pre-spotting, or anti-static treatment and deodorizing that may end up costing far more than the all-inclusive prices offered by other contractors. Remember the following three rules and enjoy your carpets for longer:

1) Vacuum regularly: Regular and thorough vacuuming is the single most important thing you can do to clean your carpets and prolong their life. Tests have shown it usually takes a full seven passes with a vacuum cleaner to remove all loose dirt from the carpet. A lightweight, upright vacuum cleaner is usually the easiest to use. To be efficient, it must have strong suction and have some sort of vibrator to loosen the dirt.

2) Eliminate stains immediately: The next most important factor in good carpet care is to clean up stains as quickly as possible. The longer a spot sits there, the harder it is to remove. Make sure you use the right cleaning materials or you may make the situation worse.

3) Clean your carpets regularly: Finally, you need to have your carpets cleaned regularly either by renting equipment or hiring a professional carpet cleaning service. Clean your carpets at least once every 6 to 12 months, and even more if you have a large household with a lot of foot traffic. Keep in mind to have them cleaned also after a major soiling event such as remodeling or holiday party. The sooner you remove the grime, the better.

It's preferable to trust experienced carpet cleaners to take care of your floor coverings. They will be able to choose the most appropriate cleaning method and detergents for your particular carpet textile and stains, reducing any possible damage to zero.