Carpet Care Tips to Protect Your Investment

By Robert Smith

If you take the necessary carpet care steps, your new carpeting will last longer. Your home will look and even smell better. But, it's not just about appearances. It’s better for your family’s health.

Dust mites are the most common cause of indoor allergies. They collect in many parts of your home, but the number of them in your carpeting would likely astound you.

The major component of house dust is dead skin cells and that’s what the mites actually live on. So, the more people that you have in your home, the more dust you have and the more often you will need to vacuum.

The average homeowner needs to vacuum at least once a week. If you have children or pets, you will need to vacuum more often. One of the best things that you can do for your new carpeting is invest in a good vacuum.

Compare the suction, bag or container capacity and the speed of the roller brush. For thick pile, you need more suction. Otherwise, you won’t be able to pull the dirt up and out.

Remember that the secret to carpet care is to move through the house slowly as you vacuum. If you run through the house quickly, you won’t get the deep down dirt, regardless of how powerful your vacuum is.

Vacuuming is standard daily or weekly maintenance, depending on the traffic. High traffic areas, such as the hallway leading to the kitchen, will need to be vacuumed more often.

Spills and other accidents require immediate attention. Never rub a spill. Use an absorbent clean cloth or paper towels. Continue to blot the area until the liquid is entirely absorbed. For light colored carpeting, it helps to keep a stain remover handy. Hydrogen peroxide based cleansers are better than bleach-based. Regardless of how light the carpeting, bleaching is ill-advised.

At least once or twice a year, it pays to have professional carpet care. Just be sure to choose a reputable, experienced company. Ask your friends what company they use and if they were satisfied.

Avoid the rental equipment that you see in grocery stores. It can actually damage your carpeting. The machinery runs too hot, which causes scorching. It puts too much water in your padding and does not have the power necessary to suck it back out.

You see. Carpet care is not that difficult. With just a few simple steps, your new investment will last and last.