The carpet is one of the most used pieces of home furnishing and oftentimes one of the most overlooked when it comes to cleaning. Although professional carpet cleaning may be necessary for a happy and healthy environment, there are things you can do to help reduce the cost.
Leave your shoes at the door
Different families have different views on the shoes-off vs shoes-on debate, but it is clear which one makes the most sense when it comes to keeping a clean house. By wearing shoes around the house, multiple family members are tracking in dust and dirt from the outside world. Not only does this shorten the carpet’s lifespan, it just adds more cleaning to do each week. Enlist a no shoes in the house policy to help upkeep the carpet. Whether or not you keep socks on is up to you.
Move furniture out of the way
Cleaner that is made specifically for carpet can react differently on other types of materials. Furniture can be ruined by harsh chemicals found in some carpet cleaning solutions. Moving furniture completely out of harm’s way could save you from spending hundreds of dollars on new replacement furniture. Plus, moving the furniture out of the way gives easier access to hard-to-reach spots that might usually get skipped over.
Vacuum before
Before using moist cleaning solutions or steamers, it is important to vacuum the carpet first. This rids the area of dust particles that can complicate cleaning when liquids come into play. If vacuuming does not happen enough, the floor can collect some gritty particles that can cut carpet fibers, adding to wear and tear. It is recommended to vacuum at least one a week, more in heavy-traffic areas. Make sure to move the vacuum slowly so that it has enough time to suction up everything.
Treat stains
Of course, if there is a spill it should be cleaned immediately. First, by using an absorbent towel to gently blot. Do not rub the spill as the harsh movement could spread it around. To further avoid spreading the stain, apply stain remover from the outside in. Different types of stains require different types of cleaner. There is an abundance of DIY solutions on the internet. Taking a little bit of time to research how to best treat the strain is always worth it.
Test homemade concoctions first
Before applying a DIY cleaner that you are unfamiliar with, it should be tested. Pick a small section of carpeting. One that is usually hidden under furniture is best. Apply cleaner to the section, and wait a few minutes to see if the cleaner ruins the carpet. Testing cleaner before using it over a large section of carpet could prevent a huge mistake from happening, and save hundreds of dollars in repairs.
Compare Professionals
There are several things to look at when comparing professionals. The first is added services. These services may cost extra fees
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