You may not think about carpets as much as we do but there is no doubt that their cleanliness and upkeep is critical to your health and well being. It’s something that we use almost every day as we go about doing our day-to-day tasks at home. Proper upkeep and maintenance of carpets are essential, however not many people know how to do it correctly. To protect your carpet and help it last longer, here are several common carpet cleaning mistakes that everyone should avoid and tips on how to go about cleaning your carpets correctly.
1. Timing is everything.
The last thing you want to do with a fresh spill or new stain is to let it dwell, dry and set into the carpet fibres. As time goes by stains become more stubborn as they seep deeper into carpet fibres. This is aided by the fact that carpet fibres are highly absorbent and, of course- gravity naturally causes stains and spills to head downwards. Luckily professional cleaners such as Renyo can help you deal with stains that have been left to become too stubborn after long periods of time. However, let’s face it, most households do not have a powerful hot water extractor on hand, nor are they willing to call in the pros every time one of the kids spills a drink or food. So, what should you do? The first step is to blot away any excess liquid or whatever may be the source of the stain immediately. Place a clean towel on the stain and dab it gently with the goal of absorbing the stain, not to wipe it away. Wiping or rubbing the stain area will only assist it in driving it deeper into your carpet making it even more difficult to remove. After all excess has been removed, spray a small amount of diluted, mild detergent and attempt to blot it away. Dish-washing liquid is perfect as it is food safe and not very abrasive. It is important to use as little as possible to avoid a very foamy carpet (a few drops per cup of water).
This is as far as we would go at home. If it does not come out with mild detergent and blotting, you are more often than not, doing more harm than good. The problem is that home cleaning methods do not sufficiently extract stains from carpets. In fact, most at home carpet cleans simply dilute stains until they are no longer visible. Professionals such as Renyo have machines that force hot water into your carpets and then almost instantaneously remove this water using very powerful vacuums which are capable of sucking up liquid.
2. Be careful what you wipe with
While speed is essential in achieving optimal results, do not use coloured fabrics or towels that shed or have loose fibres. This is to avoid colours and fibres transferring into the carpet. Colour transfer is much harder to remove than the original stain itself.
Also avoid using items like toilet paper and paper towels to blot stains. Although they are great for absorbing spills on hard surfaces, they lack the structural integrity for textured surfaces like carpet. We have attended many jobs where a client has furiously rubbed a stain with toilet paper. The end result is a dirty, paper-mache carpet. In short, use a fluffy white microfibre or cotton towel just like we do for tending to spot stains.
3. Test chemicals before applying them to your carpet
As most carpet cleaners know, difference carpet materials require a specific type of chemical to achieve best results. For example, using a product best suited for polyester carpets on a white wool carpet will result in unsightly water marks wicking to the surface along with unsightly browning of the carpets. As professionals using commercial grade products, we are very aware of the carpet composition and the pH of our chemicals. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for consumer products. Take for example this carpet cleaning product from Bunnings: https://www.bunnings.com.au/peerless-jal-5l-steamy-carpet-extraction-shampoo_p4463977
There is no indication what its pH is and there is no way to determine whether it is suitable for your particular type of carpet.
To avoid discolouration and unsightly residue, always test any carpet cleaning product or detergent you are planning to use. We recommend you spot test a small, hidden area of your carpet to see if there are any adverse effects.
4. Soaking Your Carpet When Cleaning
When treating a stain, many people make the mistake of over-wetting their carpets. Ultimately, this makes it extremely hard to actually remove soils and dry the carpet properly afterwards. Furthermore, with a soaked carpet, it’s more likely that the spill will spread out and make things even more of an issue. People often realise this mistake after the area has dried and the stain appears to be larger than before.
Carpets can also form bacteria when they are left wet for extended periods of time, especially if water has seeped very deep into the fibres or worse, into the underlay. When this happens, your carpet is bound to develop a horrible musty smell. If left untreated, these bacteria can turn into mold spores. Mold spores will completely ruin the visual appeal of a carpet and can also be harmful to the to the people living in your home. More often than not, moldy carpets need to be replaced due to the significant health risks associated.
5. Not Vacuuming Often Enough
One of the most effective ways to keep your carpet at home clean is to vacuum it regularly. Many people make the mistake of vacuuming only when there is visible dirt and debris on your carpet to vacuum. Instead you should strive to vacuum at least once a week. If you are a pet owner, consider increasing this frequency.
Dust, dirt and oils are deposited into a carpet during ordinary, daily use. Vacuuming your carpet is very important. If you don’t vacuum regularly, small particles of dirt and grit can penetrate the fibres and damage them. This will reduce your carpet’s longevity and render it more susceptible to staining.
If you go for long periods of time without vacuuming, your carpet gets that unappealing matted down look. Vacuuming not only lifts this dust dirt and oils from the carpet. It also lifts the carpet fibres, so you get that full, soft look and feel that attracted you to that carpet style in the first place.
In terms of long-term carpet maintenance, the best thing you can do to maintain the integrity of your carpets and extend their life span is to simply give it a good weekly vacuum. To extend the life span of your carpet even further, we recommend a professional clean at least once per year. A combination of regular vacuuming and an annual professional carpet clean will keep your carpet looking great for decades.
6. Skipping Professional Carpet Cleaning
Carpets should be professionally cleaned at least once a year – more if you have high traffic in your home, have pets, smoke, or have small children. There are simply things that professional carpet cleaners can do that regular vacuuming alone can’t ever achieve.
With the proper know-how and cleaning products, there are many ways you can upkeep your carpets regularly at home. For the deeper carpet cleans or stubborn stains that don’t seem to ever budge, there are professional carpet cleaners dedicated to getting the job done.
Experience the feeling of soft, fresh, and brand-new-like carpets with the specialist carpet cleaning services at Renyo.
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