| Regular care is key when it comes to maintaining | | | | cleaning solutions instead of chemical-based |
| the appearance and life of your carpet. Routine | | | | cleaners. |
| vacuuming, acting quickly when a spill occurs, and | | | | Many types of carpets respond to spot cleaning |
| cleaning your carpets, whether yourself or | | | | with a simple solution of equal parts of white |
| professionally, can determine how long your | | | | vinegar and water. (As mentioned previously, |
| carpet will stay looking terrific and how long it will | | | | always test a hidden area of carpet prior to using |
| last. The amount of cleaning that carpet will | | | | it on the entire carpet.) Spray the solution onto |
| require is based on how much traffic the carpet | | | | stains and then, using warm soapy water, sponge |
| receives, the type of carpet it is and the | | | | it up a few minutes later. Stains that seem to |
| environmental conditions the carpet endures. | | | | hold on might benefit from a paste made from |
| Always vacuum well before applying spot | | | | salt, borax and vinegar which would sit on the |
| removers or other cleaners. Vacuuming pulls up | | | | stain overnight. Vacuum it up the next morning |
| surface dirt and prepares the carpet for cleaning. | | | | and find the stain has disappeared. |
| Also, if you are unsure of how your carpet will | | | | Bleach should never be used on any type of |
| react to a certain cleaner, try a little on a small, | | | | carpet for cleaning stains, as it will leave a |
| hidden space to check for colorfastness before | | | | discoloration in the area it was used. Make sure to |
| using the cleaner on your entire area. Most carpet | | | | read the label on any cleaner to make sure you |
| cleaning solutions have a warning on the bottle | | | | are targeting the type of stains you want to |
| about whether it can remove color from the | | | | remove. |
| carpet, so be sure to read the label before you | | | | As soon as a spill or stain occurs, attend to it |
| use it. | | | | immediately. Blot it only with a clean white cloth or |
| Berber carpet, which is constructed from leftover | | | | white paper towel. Never rub at the spill or stain, |
| strands of other carpet during the milling process, | | | | or else it may spread to surrounding carpet fibers. |
| can be one of the most difficult to clean. | | | | Club soda works effectively to remove red wine |
| However, using cleaners that contain oxygen or | | | | stains. Use an ice cube to harden candle wax or |
| peroxide seem to work the most effectively. | | | | gum in carpet, scrape off, and then clean as you |
| Pre-treat heavy stains first. Then, spray the rest | | | | would any other spot. If you have a greasy stain |
| of the carpet, wait five minutes and use the hot | | | | on the carpet, sprinkle it with baking soda, corn |
| water extraction method to clean the carpet. | | | | meal or corn starch and let it sit overnight. |
| Increase the water temperature (very hot) when | | | | Vacuum the affected area in the morning. |
| cleaning Berber carpet for the best results. | | | | Proper care of your carpets, whether they are |
| Shag carpets respond well to the hot water | | | | Berber, shag, commercial grade or otherwise, will |
| extraction method also. By using a mixture of hot | | | | extend your carpet's life and keep them looking |
| tap water and a non-foaming detergent, the | | | | great at the same time. Do not be afraid to use a |
| water is forced into the carpet pile under | | | | professional carpet cleaner, since they have |
| pressure. As a result, the ground-in dirt is | | | | access to cleaning solutions that are typically not |
| loosened and the moisture and dirt are then | | | | available to the general public, and they have |
| extracted. Always pre-treat stains prior to | | | | much more experience in cleaning carpets and |
| cleaning the entire space. | | | | removing carpet stains than you do, and so can |
| For those who prefer to use green-friendly | | | | be very much worth the expense to get your |
| cleaning solutions, there are many companies | | | | carpet looking new again. |
| from which to choose who offer plant-based | | | | |