When your carpets are clean, they make your entire home look better. Keeping carpets clean can be challenging, especially considering all the contaminants that come in contact with your carpets here in Anchorage or the Mat Su Valley on a daily basis. We at TCM Restoration would like to introduce 6 simple steps that you can follow to help keep your carpets looking and feeling their best:
-
Don’t allow shoes on your carpet
Make it a family rule that you take your shoes off at the door, and encourage guests to do the same. Shoes carry in dirt from outside, and then track it all over the carpet. Not only does wearing shoes on your carpet make them dirtier, but it also breaks down the fibers. Shoes have hard tread that will wear down your carpets faster.
-
Cover your carpet
Rugs are great tools to not only make your living space more attractive, but also to protect your carpet. Highly trafficked areas could benefit greatly by adding a rug. Rugs still require regular vacuuming and cleaning, but it is much easier to take up and deep clean a rug than it is to deep clean your carpets. If you have a chair with wheels in your home office, you can lay down a chair mat to help protect your carpet from the legs.
-
Vacuum regularly
Routine vacuuming is one of the most effective ways to keep your carpets cleaner for longer. Surface dirt and dust can get embedded deep into the fibers of your carpet if not removed frequently. Consider vacuuming 2-3 times a week to keep your carpets clean and looking fresh. Pro tip – the best way to vacuum effectively is to go slowly. The slower you vacuum, the more dirt you are able to pull from the carpet. You also need to change your vacuum filter or bag regularly to ensure that your vacuum has full suction, and is able to effectively pick up dirt.
-
Clean up stains right away
The longer a stain sits, the deeper it will penetrate into the fibers of your carpet, pulling dirt and other debris down with it. Stains are much easier to remove if you handle them quickly. When cleaning up a stain, always blot – DO NOT scrub! Scrubbing actually has a negative effect on your carpet, and works the stain in deeper. Scrape off what you can from the surface, and blot at what is left behind. Some items you should have on hand to help clean up stains are:
-
- Commercial carpet-stain remover for stubborn stains
-
- Club soda works great for wine and beer spills
-
- Shaving cream is a good tool for lifting stains out of the carpet
-
- Ice cubes will harden chewing gum, making is easier to scrape off and remove
-
- Hydrogen peroxide removes blood stains
- Dishwasher detergent and water can be used for most every type of spill
If you have a stain that you just can’t seem to get rid of, call in the professionals. In fact, having your carpets professionally cleaned at least twice a year will not only keep them looking and feeling their best, but will also extend the life of your carpet. No matter how many steps you take to prevent your carpet from getting dirty, they are going to still be exposed to dirt. At TCM Restoration and Cleaning, we are master carpet cleaners and can get your carpets in Anchorage & Mat Su Valley looking fresh and clean.