Your carpet has to put up with a lot and that's why it's so important to take care of it if you want it to last! Carpets can also hold approximately four times their weight in dirt and this can come from pet hair, mould, bacteria and even dead skin cells. If you don't clean it regularly (and not just with a vacuum) it can set off allergies and increase wear of your carpet that damages its colour and fibres, resulting in a costly replacement.
Vacuuming or Steam Cleaning?
Whilst vacuuming is better than nothing, it's not as good as steam cleaning. That’s because vacuuming only works on the surface whilst steam cleaning actively gets into the fibres to remove dirt and debris. It is worth noting that you should always start your carpet cleaning routine with a quick hoover as this will remove any dry soils which can turn to mud and stain your carpet when combined with water. Although be cautious steam cleaning where things like blue tac, play dough and chewing gum are involved! You can read all about how to get rid of those in our last blog.
Odours
The old trusty baking soda can help you get rid of pesky odours if you are looking for a cheap DIY solution. Pop some baking soda on the offending carpet and leave it to sit for a few hours and simply hoover it up and the smell should come with it. There is also a range of great carpet cleaning solutions on the market that can help with odour too. It's important to note that steam cleaning a wool carpet can give off a wet odour which should dissipate once it dries. Dehumidifiers, air purifiers and opening windows to allow fresh air can also ensure your home and carpet are smelling as fresh as possible between deep cleans.
Furniture
Having furniture in one place for a long period of time can cause indentations on your carpet. A good way to avoid this is to move your furniture around regularly however most of us are happy with our layout and choose to keep it the same for many years. When it comes to removing these indentations, you first need to give the area a good vacuum before placing a few ice cubes on top to try to help the fibres regain their original shape. You can then use your fingers to try to fluff up the carpet fibres again. You can also try wetting the area and using a hairdryer to dry it but be careful not to hold the dryer too close as you don't want to end up burning it!
Our favourite hardwearing Carpets
Making sure you clean up any stains promptly is always a good idea to keep your carpet in tip-top condition however if you know your carpet is going to need to stand up to your busy lifestyle it may be best to look into an easy-clean carpet range when first choosing your flooring. We love the Primo Grande range from Cormar Carpet Company which is an extra heavyweight, bleach cleanable, twist pile carpet which comes with a 10-year stain guarantee. The Stain Free-range from Abingdon Flooring is also a great option as it offers a free lifetime guarantee and also comes in a range of beautiful shades, making for an elegant yet practical family carpet.
Of course, our best piece of advice would be to take your shoes off at the door and ensure you get a professional at least once a year if not every six months. You need to try to keep on top of stains and vacuum regularly in between deep cleans. As always we are on hand to offer any help and advice when it comes to buying a new carpet and will always advise you on the best ways to care for your new flooring. Why not pop into our birchwood store to see how we can help or contact us today!