How Do I Keep My Carpet Soft and Clean? A carpet is a big investment, and it’s important to take care of your rug if you want it to last for years. Over time, heavy foot traffic can turn a plush rug into a rough, rutted surface that feels like pavement, not exactly the foundation upon which you’d like to build your interior design.
Fortunately, there are many easy ways to keep your carpet soft and velvety smooth without breaking the bank on expensive deep carpet cleaning services or trendy products.
Carpet is an investment that can last for years if taken care of properly. If not, it will become stained and develop the unpleasant smell of dirt over time. To avoid this, read on – “How Do I Keep My Carpet Soft and Clean?” and follow these easy steps to keep your carpet looking fresh and new longer!
Table of Contents
Regularly vacuum your carpet
.Vacuuming eliminates dust particles that are swept into the pile of the rugby everyday foot traffic. It also pulls deep-seated dirt out from the bottom of the fibers so it doesn’t get ground in too deeply where cleaning would be difficult or even impossible. A good rule of thumb is to vacuum every other day to every three days depending on how dirty it appears.
Remove spills immediately
Spills are the number one cause of carpet stains. They should be removed immediately with cold water before they have time to penetrate the fibers. Use a white towel to blot up as much liquid as possible, then sprinkle cornstarch or baking soda onto the spot and let sit for at least 30 minutes. Vacuum after all traces of liquid has been absorbed.
Use cold water when washing machine washing
Hot water can make some spills set in faster, causing permanent damage to certain fibers such as wool and silk. To avoid this, turn down the water heater before starting the cycle, and wash your rugs with cold water.
Use rug pads
Adding some extra cushioning under your rugs can help keep them from sliding around on the floor. Carpet pads are inexpensive and readily available at most home improvement stores. They’re easy to cut down if necessary, so you never need to worry about it taking up too much space or making your rug feel lumpy.
Avoid washing wool area rugs
Wool is one of the few materials that should be dry-cleaned rather than machine washed — this will protect its texture and shape. If you want to go the extra mile, be sure to have your rug professionally cleaned at least once a year.
Use a professional cleaning service once a year
Professional carpet cleaners can deep clean carpets, removing embedded dirt from crevices in the pile that you simply cannot reach with your own tools. If your family includes people who suffer from allergies or asthma, this might be a good choice for you. Also useful if your home is occupied by pets who tend to wander into the living room.
Remove dry stains as soon as possible
Blood and coffee are two common carpet stains that can be removed with cornstarch applied directly to the area and allowed to sit overnight before vacuuming. Make a paste using hydrogen peroxide and baking soda and apply it to any rust or paint stains on your carpet; let sit for several minutes then wipe up with a damp sponge.
Toothpaste also works well removing ink from carpets. To remove crayon marks, spray the spot with WD-40 then scrape at it with a spoon until lifted free from the fibers. Wipe away the residue with a damp cloth then treat with baking soda.
Clean any spills or stains as soon as possible whether they are dry or fresh
Do not let dirt accumulate for too long in your carpet, it will become embedded deeply and no amount of scrubbing will make it disappear. The same goes for liquids, clean any spill immediately to keep the stain from setting into the fibers. Treat small areas like this before they become bigger problems.
Use cool water when cleaning your carpet.
Never use hot water because it opens the fibers of your carpet up, allowing them to absorb more dirt than before, leaving you with a stiffer, less comfortable pile that feels scratchy against bare feet. If warm water is all that you have available, use it but be sure to follow up with cold water to close the fibers back up again.
If your carpet is especially dirty or smelly
You may need to rent a steam cleaner for this job. Cleaners can release dust and allergens from within the pile of your rug so they don’t settle back in when you vacuum later. Just make sure not to leave any cleaners on too long, as this may actually set small stains into the fibers of the carpet instead of removing them.
Air out freshly shampooed carpets before walking on them
Letting air circulate through freshly shampooed carpets will help dry them completely, which also helps avoid that “wet dog” smell that can be a problem with this type of cleaning.
Make sure your vacuum cleaner has a rotating brush
It loosens dirt from the fibers making it easier to be sucked into the bag as you go. Replace the bag often and empty the canister into an outside bin immediately after finishing so that bacteria don’t accumulate in it inside your house. Also, purchase a machine specially made for cleaning carpets such as those manufactured by Bissell or Hoover.
Use baking soda to keep your carpet smelling fresh
Sprinkle baking soda over your carpet and let set it overnight before vacuuming for best results. You may need to repeat several times if foul odors persist; consider scented dryer sheets placed in areas where your pet sleeps to keep it smelling fresh.
How Do I Keep My Carpet Soft and Clean? – Conclusion
The best way to keep your carpet soft and clean is with a deep cleaning. If you have pets, it’s essential that they be brushed or vacuumed frequently, so their hair doesn’t get on the floor and create an issue for you later. When vacuuming, use the appropriate setting for high traffic areas as these tend to accumulate more dirt than other spaces in your home. Keep up this routine of regular maintenance and enjoy years of plush carpets.