A Clean Carpet Is A Happy Carpet

Carpets can make you look classy or careless. At first, a carpet is a great addition to any home – they please the eyes and serve as a protective layer for your naked, vulnerable floor. In order to remain appealing and effective, carpets require regular maintenance. Without regular cleaning, carpets can accumulate dust, allergens and other (potentially) lethal antigens.

Don’t be fooled by appearances – the things you cannot see will be responsible for your downfall. Of course, if you want to save yourself the hassle of cleaning, you can call Maid Sailors and we’ll take care of business. If you’re interested in taking your cleaning skills to the next level, then just follow these simple steps to remove tough stains and lingering odors from your (once) magical carpets.

 

1. Vacuuming

Vacuuming is like cardiovascular exercise – a monotonous activity that must become a regular part of your not-so-monotonous life. Maid Sailors recommends vacuuming once-a-week in order to prevent any dirt and/or dust build-ups. Keep in mind, more frequent vacuuming will prolong the life of your carpet.

• Pro-tip: Divide the floor into quadrants and address your carpet quadrant-by-quadrant. Use a crisscross pattern and overlapping strokes to vacuum extremely soiled areas of the carpet. This is an extremely effective strategy.

2. Test Yourself Before You Wreck Yourself

Prior to using any detergent or cleaning solutions on your carpet, test a small amount of the product on a small patch to ensure that the fabric does not get discolored or damaged. Many cleaning agencies use the “patch test method” to analyze whether the cleaning products will discolor the rug.

3. Spotting Stains

Remember that one time you let your friend “crash at your place for a few days” and he (or she) turned into a permanent roommate? Not surprisingly, unwanted stains behave in a physically similar manner. Temporary stains are working non-stop to achieve permanent status – it is your job to make sure this never happens.

First, blot the area and remove as much spillage as possible. If handy, use wet wipes for an initial removal of the stain. Alternatively, a mix of water and diluted dishwashing detergent can also be used to treat the stain. After blotting, let the carpet dry naturally or use a hair dryer if you’re in a rush.

4. Reinstating Your Carpet

Imagine if you were sleeping and one of your enemies broke into your 1-bedroom apartment and dropped an anvil on your stomach. Now, imagine if that anvil remained on your abdomen for six months before one of your friends decided to check-in on you and finally removed it. Carpets experience this painful scenario on a regular basis. Furniture, radiators, statues and other heavy objects are fixated on them for years at a time.

In order to remove these “deep depressions”, utilize a steam iron. Bring it real close to the carpet without having it touch (the iron may harm the fibers) and start steaming. You can then raise the depressed fibers by using the edge of a spoon.

5. Natural Products

Using natural products to clean your carpet is not only fun, but also effective. Here’s a list of natural solutions for common problems.

• Club soda to remove fresh coffee stains
• Salt to remove dirt and other fresh stains
• Baking soda to remove lingering odors

Concluding Thoughts

In addition to your do-it-yourself cleaning regimen, you should get your carpets cleaned professionally at least two times per year. Keep in mind, a professional carpet cleaning is cheaper than a new carpet purchase.