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There are any number of reasons why a homeowner might choose carpeting over other types of flooring: It’s quieter and more comfortable underfoot, for example, and is relatively inexpensive per square foot. “It’s easier to clean than hardwood or tile,” however, is rarely our rationale for installing wall-to-wall carpeting.
Carpet’s expanse—and often, its pile height—can feel daunting to keep clean, but it shouldn’t. Paul Carter, executive vice president of Empire Today, Empire Today, says that carpet sometimes gets a “bad rap with the notion that hard surface flooring is ‘cleaner,’ when that isn’t actually the case.” Because it “tends to trap dust,” he explains, “a well-made carpet combined with a good vacuum cleaner…is actually better at reducing airborne dust in the home” than hard surfaces. Stay on top of spills, pulls, and dirt by following these tips, and your carpet will have a long life ahead of it.
1. Vacuum regularly.
This common chore is the key to keeping carpets looking like new. Dirt has abrasive qualities, and when it’s repeatedly ground into the carpet by everyday foot traffic, it can actually erode the backing over time. Vacuuming once a week (or twice a week in high-traffic areas) can remove up to 75 percent of the dirt and debris and prevent your carpet from aging before its time.
2. Soak up spills promptly.
Spills are inevitable, but how you clean them makes all the difference. The most important carpet commandments to keep in mind are to work quickly and never rub spills. Dab carpet stain remover onto the troublesome spot immediately because the longer you wait, the harder it will be to remove. Then, blot it with paper towels or a clean cloth, as this gently puts a small amount of pressure on the liquid, helping to soak it up instead of letting it set in. Remember to blot from the outside of the spill inward to keep the spill from spreading.
“Today’s [carpet] fibers can be incredibly stain-resistant and easy to maintain, making them far more durable than carpets of even 10 years ago.“
—Paul Carter, Executive Vice President, Empire Today
3. Use the right vacuum.
Do you have kids or pets? Carpeted stairs? Look for a vacuum that can accommodate your lifestyle. Because there isn’t one vacuum that excels in every situation, you might even consider investing in more than one sweeper to handle all your cleaning challenges. A cordless handheld vacuum can help tidy up pet hair, for example, while a stick model might be the best vacuum for stairs.
4. Trim snags carefully.
Carpets, particularly berbers, are bound to snag eventually, especially if you have kids or pets. Whatever you do, don’t pull a snag—you’ll likely tear the carpet away from the backing and make the problem worse. Instead, grab a pair of nail scissors and trim the snag at the base to prevent further damage.
5. Clean up with club soda.
When used correctly, club soda is an essential weapon to combat carpet stains. Whether you’re dealing with pet accidents, coffee, tea, or red wine, a healthy glug of club soda over the spill and a few dabs with a clean cloth should return your carpet to its original glory.
6. Monitor high-traffic zones.
Hallways, carpeted stairs, and rooms that get a lot of foot traffic need extra maintenance—more frequent vacuuming and shampooing, for example. Where it’s safe to do so, you may want to consider strategically layering an area rug or runner over existing carpets in these high-traffic zones. It’s much easier (and cheaper) to replace these temporary coverings when they become soiled from dirt or spills.
7. Deep clean it regularly.
No matter how diligent you are with vacuuming and maintenance, your carpet will still need next-level care from time to time. We recommend deep cleaning your carpets every 6 months to keep them looking fresh and grime-free. Whether you buy a carpet cleaner or hire a professional carpet-cleaning service, steam cleaning extracts deeply embedded dirt as well as lingering stains to leave your carpets looking brand-new.
