A Guide to Cleaning Your Carpets
Carpets can harbor a number of foreign materials that you wouldn’t want hanging around your home, causing some to jettison them completely and opt for wood flooring instead. Do not fear! If you enjoy the soft feeling of carpets underfoot, then you should have them – just follow our guide to keeping them as clean as possible.
It is hard to fathom, but one square foot of carpet can hold a pound of dirt and 28 million bacteria. We won’t even get into how many dead skin cells carpet absorbs. You get the idea – carpets need to be cleaned regularly. The best way to do this is to start by vacuuming. For “high-traffic” areas, vacuum daily or at least twice a week. This helps to prevent the buildup of pet dander, food particles, and dust mites. Another thing that can help, is making sure your vacuum is in good working order by replacing any broken or worn out vacuum parts.
When you spill coffee or red wine, or your pet has an accident, be sure to treat the stain immediately. Check our guide for homemade stain removers for each spill. For example, vinegar and warm water is the best treatment for a coffee spill. Over time these spills can leave your carpet feeling tired and worn. A quick pick-me-up is to mix baking soda with essential oil, sprinkle over the carpet and then vacuum up after 10 minutes or so.
Professional cleanings should take place every 12-18 months, and even more frequently if you have pets or children. Following this cleaning routine in between will ensure you have a pristine, comforting carpet!
