Carpets and rugs are commonly seen in modern households these days. Some go for wall-to-wall ones while some have a few in the living room and the bedroom. It adds a certain amount of esthetics to the living area and also makes it extremely comfortable to stride on. However, if you ask any owner of carpets about the difficulty in maintenance, they will agree with you that it is one of the most difficult things to do as well.
The constant foot traffic, the dust from outside, regular spills, all of these are the main villains in this scenario. There is only a certain amount of abuse that these carpets can withstand. It needs careful monitoring and maintenance so that it lasts for a longer period of time. If you have carpets at home and want to know about how to keep them clean and tidy, the following tips might be handy for you.
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Carpet fluffing technique
It is commonly noticed that with time the carpet loses its fluffiness, and the fibers fall down, especially in areas where people walk a lot or some piece of furniture is placed. One way of fluffing it is by placing ice on the dents and allowing it to melt.
Once that is done, soak the excess water gently. Then place a towel and run an iron over it. When the area becomes relatively dry, the fibers become rejuvenated, and you can fluff it up again. This fluffing technique can be extremely beneficial.
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Use clean doormats
Like mentioned before, the dust from outside is a major cause of concern for the gradual destruction of your rugs. If people keep their feet clean and shoes outside, this problem can be dealt with. Doormats are very important in this scenario. Place it at the entrance of the rooms and even bathrooms and make it a habit to give your feet a rub before stepping on a rug.
Since these doormats are smaller compared to your whole carpet, it is a relatively easy job to clean it regularly. So, whenever you find your doormat getting dirty from daily usage, give it a thorough wash. Clean doormats can be crucial in the bid to have clean carpets in the house.
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Vacuum it once a week
A vacuum cleaner is definitely a life-saver in this particular aspect. It can make the whole process of keeping your carpets clean much easier. The first thing that you need to do is to get hold of a good quality vacuum cleaner that can meet your requirements. Since it will be used extensively, don’t compromise on it in any way. Once you have done that, dedicate at least once a week to vacuum all the carpets and rugs in the house.
Experts say that you should run it around 10-12 times in areas where the footfall is more. You should also keep changing directions while vacuuming so that you can get all the dust particles out. The advanced vacuum cleaners ensure that the task is not at all cumbersome or tiresome for you.
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Soak up spills immediately
However hard you try, spills are going to happen inevitably. What you need to do is be prepared for an emergency situation. The first thing to do would be to act immediately. The longer you wait, the deeper the stain will go and will eventually become too difficult to remove.
Take the right type and amount of cleaning solution and dab it gently on the spill spot in an upward and downward movement. Rubbing it from side-to-side can actually make things even worse. Once that is done, use a towel or a tissue paper to pick up the whole solution along with the spill effectively. The spill does not spread by this technique, and you can keep your carpets clean.
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Remove your footwear outside
This is not only a hygienic practice, but it can also keep the carpets in your house clean. When you head outside, you collect a lot of dust and dirt on your shoes. These can get transferred to the carpets easily, which can hold on to them as well. Therefore, keep a designated place near the doors where you can dispose of your footwear before coming in, and you will notice the change in some time. Many countries follow this practice anyway.
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Use Carpet Protectant
It is always good to be readily prepared in case there is a wet spill. A carpet Protectant is perfect for the cause. It creates a barrier and does not allow the liquid to come in direct contact with the carpet as such. You get more time to clean the spill and keep your carpet tidy using a potent Carpet Protectant. Make sure it is mild and does not affect the fibers in any way.
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Clean it from a professional once in 6 months
You may try your level best, but there is no denying the fact that the carpets are going to get dirty eventually. It is always better to hire professional help once in 6 months and get a thorough cleaning done. Different places have different reputed companies for the job. For example, Bliss Cleaning Rusper in Horsham is one of the best available options for the people there.
Having carpets and rugs at home is extremely common. If you know how to keep them clean, taking a little help from the tips mentioned above, they will surely last longer than you anticipated.
