When it comes to setting the vibe and tone of your home, carpets play a big role. Carefully selected carpets not only make your homes aesthetically appealing but also add warmth and comfort to the place. However, the more appealing it sounds to own carpets, maintaining them can be a different story. Being a consistent part of your flooring, carpets attract the most dust, debris, and stains. Hence, they demand optimal care to maintain hygiene indoors and for a longer span. Though many homeowners understand the need for professional carpet cleaning services, some cut short to DIYs and end up making common mistakes. If you, too, are one of those who generally rely on DIY carpet cleaning methods, this guide is for you.
Carpet Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid and Their Solutions
1. Over-wetting Carpets
Using excessive water and cleaning products leads to over-wetting of carpets. It is one of the most common mistakes that leads to the growth of mould and mildew, as liquids seep deeper through the carpet fibres to their padding and backing. Overuse of water and cleaning solutions takes longer to dry and further deteriorates carpet padding.
Solution: Even if you are using the best carpet cleaner agents, ensure you use an adequate amount, aligning with your carpet and rug type and manufacturers’ guidelines.
2. Overlooking Stains
With kids, pets, and even adults roaming around, it becomes inevitable to protect carpeting from stains. No matter how careful you are, accidents happen, and that’s not the real problem; leaving them untreated is the one. Stains and spills, if not treated immediately, can stay permanently.
Solution: As soon as the accident happens, give carpet a prompt reaction by blotting with a clean cloth. Do not scrub the stain aggressively, as it can damage the carpet fibres and worsen the condition. However, if blotting the stain doesn’t seem enough, use a spot cleaner solution based on your carpet type.
3. Not Vacuuming Regularly
Since carpets are one of the most used items, they require more attention. If not deep-cleaned, the carpets must be vacuumed regularly, especially if you are a pet parent. With regular use, the carpets become home to dirt, debris, pet hair and dander, which further sets deep into their fibres.
Solution: Identify high-traffic areas of the home and vacuum at least twice a week; on the rest of the areas, once a week will do the job. For the effective removal of debris and allergens, it is advised to use a vacuum with HEPA filters. Vacuuming is a vital part of flooring maintenance; hence, instead of waiting to hire carpet and rug cleaning services until it worsens, maintain it regularly. It’s easier and enhances the appearance and longevity of your carpets and rugs.
4. Choosing Wrong Products
It is important to give keen attention to the products designed for your carpet fibres. Using the wrong or harsh products can permanently discolour your carpets & rugs and weaken their fibres. It is not important what worked for others will work for your carpet type as well.
Solution: Carefully check the carpet label before buying a cleaning agent for your flooring. Give special attention to specific instructions and choose only ‘your carpet safe’ products. For instance, bleach-based or alkaline cleaning agents are not advisable for natural fibres like wool. For synthetic ones, choose a cleaner that doesn’t leave residue or affect the fibres. Also, always patch test the product on a small/hidden area of carpet before directly applying it to ensure no discolouration.
5. Ignoring Professional Services
Another common mistake by homeowners is avoiding or delaying hiring carpet cleaning services. While DIYs and vacuuming are essential for maintenance, skipping professional services can worsen your carpets over time. Dust and grime buildup and stains can cause a stale odour and become a source of poor indoor air quality, leading to various health hazards, including respiratory and skin allergies.
Solution: Schedule professional carpet cleaning services at least once a year for deep cleaning. If you have kids or a pet at home, increase the frequency and call in the professionals as and when required. The experts are trained with the best cleaning techniques and possess high-end equipment like carpet steamers and dryers to provide you with the best results.
6. Avoiding Carpet Protection
In addition to regular vacuuming, cleaning and spot treatment, carpet protection is of utmost importance. Protection not only helps with maintenance but also enhances the rugs’ and carpets’ lifespan. Preventive measures like carpet protectors and doormats can effectively shield your carpets against wear and tear.
Solution: Place doormats in high-footfall areas and entryways of the home to reduce the amount of dust and dirt brought from outdoors. Apply carpet protectors all over the flooring, especially in high-traffic areas, for enhanced longevity.
Cleaner the Carpets, Healthier the Homes
Carpets and rugs, being an integral part of your home, require regular attention. And not doing it the right way can degrade their appearance as well as their longevity. Additionally, a cleaner carpet makes your home a better place to live, while a dirty one attracts numerous allergens and disorders. Hence, the experts at Everyday Master suggest that there is no excuse for delaying cleaning and calling in professional services at regular intervals. Also, when you decide to hire the experts, ensure to go for the best carpet cleaning services by checking their reviews and ratings of their previous work to rest assured that your flooring is in safer hands. Going for cheaper services can sometimes do more damage than good.