How to Spring Clean Your Carpet
With the imminent arrival of spring, many people’s thoughts turn to spring cleaning their homes. There’s nothing quite like blue skies and abundant sunshine to motivate you to tackle all the household tasks that you may have neglected over the cold winter months, with carpet cleaning being on most homeowners’ must-do list.
It is recommended that you need to clean your carpet every 6-12 months, or at least once every 6 months if you have young children or pets.
That being said, removing stubborn stains and odours can be a challenge, especially if you are unsure about what substances you can and cannot put on your carpet.
Therefore, before you embark on your carpet cleaning mission, keep reading to discover how you can restore your floor coverings to their original glory with minimal effort and maximum results.
Thoroughly vacuum
You should try to vacuum your carpets regularly, at least once a week, or more if you have the time to do so. However, if you have neglected them, then the first step in your deep cleaning process should be to vacuum all the carpeted areas in your home thoroughly.
Make sure that you move any furniture so that you can ensure total coverage and do not miss any hidden nooks or crannies.
Tackle any stains
The next step you need to take should be to identify and deal with any stains that you have located on your carpets. In an ideal world, of course, you would have dealt with these stains immediately, but unfortunately, real-life can sometimes get in the way, and even with the best intentions, some stains will be left to deal with another day. Well, today is that day.
The most common stains that occur on carpets can include:
- Pet stains
- Coffee stains
- Bloodstains
- Ink stains
- Wine stains
Each of the above requires a different treatment, although, with each, you should never rub the stain with the cleaning solution you choose; instead, gently blot it.
For more general stains, you can create a simple and chemical-free cleaning solution yourself by mixing white vinegar (one part) with water (two parts). Then using a cloth, dab the solution onto the affected area, wait 15 minutes and then rinse by blotting with a cloth that has been dipped in warm water.
Bring out the steam cleaner
Again, if you are not a fan of chemical cleaning products, then simply add equal parts water and white vinegar to your steam cleaner, as well as a few drops of essential oil to ensure your home smells fresh and then get steaming.
If you do notice any areas of carpet that are beyond repair, spring is the ideal time to invest in some new carpet, as you can find some great deals at this time of year. Look for local and trusted carpet suppliers and fitters who have positive online reviews and experience in your area.
Plan ways to keep your carpet clean
Some top tips for keeping your carpet clean all year round include:
- Not wearing shoes in the home
- Using welcome mats
- Vacuuming regularly
Not using too much water when removing stains, always blot instead of rubbing