Carpet Care

Preventative maintenance is the best way to extend the life of your carpet. Prevent bringing dirt in by placing mats at all entrances. Using carpet protectors on the legs of tables and chairs help distribute weight more evenly.

Vacuuming

Dirt damages carpet by rubbing against the carpet fibers. Vacuuming on a regular basis prevents the deep abrasions that ruins carpet. A general guide is to vacuum once a week per person in the home. Use two to three passes for light traffic areas and five to seven passes for high traffic areas.

Quality carpet deserves a quality vacuum. A vacuum with a combination beater bar and brush will mechanincally loosen soil. Choose a vacuum with a beater bar that can adjust to the height of your carpet. Remember to follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

Deep Cleaning

Carpet should be deep cleaned with hot water extraction (steam cleaning) every 12 to 24 months.  Steam cleaning involves spraying a high-pressure solution of water and detergent and vacuuming the dirty solution. Refer to the manufacturer's warranty for the recommended deep cleaning method.

Stain Removal

Being prepared is important. Keeping a commercial cleaner on hand like R2X Carpet Stain and Soil Remover from Shaw. If you do not have a commercial cleaner available, you can use a clear non-bleach liquid detergent like Ivory. No more than 1/4 teaspoon per quart of water. A third alternative is to use a mixture of 1 part vinegar to one part water.

While many carpets today are stain resistant, it is best to clean spills as soon as possible. Use a spoon to gently scrape away solid materials such as food. Liquid spills should be blotted with a white cloth starting at the edges and moving toward the center of the spill. You should always blot the area and not scrub abrassively. Scrubbing can result in a fuzzy area. Place several layers of cloth on the damp area and weigh them down to remove any remaining moisture.