If your carpets are pristine, with vacuumed lines that give Wimbledon a run for its money, you’d be forgiven for thinking deep cleaning doesn’t apply to you. After all, a deep clean is only for visible stains and old carpets, right? Wrong!
Now, more than ever is it important to look after our homes with the increased amount of time we’re spending in them. You wouldn’t think twice about washing, dusting or cleaning the loo, so naturally, our carpets deserve the same level of care. We walk on them, sit on them, play on them and love nothing more than enjoying the comfort of them, but would we be so keen if we knew what was lurking beneath the top layer?
Of course, there are the usual suspects such as dirt, mud and anything else that is visible to the naked eye, but it’s not until we dig a little deeper that we discover a whole host of nasties that are pretty grim. Pet hair, allergens, bacteria, bugs, mites and dead skin are just some of the unwanted guests on our carpets, with the bedroom carpet being one of the worst offenders! A recent study revealed that our bedroom carpet contains more bacteria than any other room in the house…I know, I made that face too.
So, now I have your attention, let’s discuss how to keep these nasties to a minimum with our top tips on cleaning carpets.
- Remove any outdoor shoes before walking on your carpet to reduce the amount of dirt being carried through your home and onto your carpets.
- Place a rug or runner in high traffic areas, that way you can shake them or replace them if they become heavily soiled. Much cheaper than replacing the whole carpet.
- Remove any spills as quickly as possible to avoid lingering odours and unsightly stains.
- Regular vacuuming removes dirt and bacteria from your carpet so we recommend vacuuming two or three times per week to keep bugs at bay.
- Invest in a professional deep clean at least once a year. Not only will this breathe new life into your carpets, but the specialist equipment captures each and every layer, including the bottom fibres that regular cleaning just can’t reach.
- We all know that accidents happen, so it’s best to be prepared by stocking up on the essentials such as carpet cleaners, carpet shampoo and a carpet freshener to remove any spills efficiently and effectively.
- If you’ve tried cleaning your carpets by hand but to no avail, then why not hire a carpet cleaner? Readily available from many high street outlets, a high power carpet cleaner offers so much more than standard elbow grease.
- Ventilation is key to carpet freshness, especially if your home is susceptible to damp as this will become a breeding ground for bacteria, resulting in unsightly mold and mildew, not to mention nasty odours.
How To Clean A Carpet By Hand
Ok, so the inevitable has happened, there’s a spill or a splodge on the carpet, so how do we treat it when cleaning a carpet by hand? Well, whether you watched it happen or you have just discovered it (deep breaths), speed is most definitely of the essence when it comes to cleaning. First things first, remove any excess from the area. That could be thick mud from an excitable pooch, or the aftermath of a toddler at meal times, either way, getting the thick up will prevent the stain from seeping further into the fibres, then:
- Using a carpet shampoo, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines by mixing one part solution with the recommended amount of water.
- Take a clean cloth and apply the mixture to the stain.
- Carefully blot the area, not rub, never rub as this will only push the stain further down.
- Repeat until the stain has gone then allow to dry.
- Vacuum over the area to restore the fibres, et voila, good as new!
How To Remove Pet Smells From Your Carpet
We all love our cuddly companions, but if their smell is dominating the air, then it’s time to take action by following these top tips.
- Vacuum regularly to remove any pet hairs and dirt.
- Treat pet stains quickly, to eliminate the chance of embedding any smells.
- Use a disinfectant spray that not only kills bacteria but smells great too.
- Keep your rooms well ventilated to allow fresh air to circulate.
- Invest in a carpet cleaner that tackles pet stains for maximum efficiency.
We hope this blog has been helpful, but if your carpet has seen better days then why not put your best foot forward onto a new carpet from Pay Weekly Carpets?! No hidden costs, no credit checks, just low weekly payments on a range of pay weekly flooring that suits you best.
