Carpeting can be warm and cozy, soft and comforting, and aesthetically pleasing. It can also be a bear to take care of and tricky to keep in top condition. Current trends in wood flooring and the many other alternatives to carpeting are due, to a great extent, the ease with which these other types of flooring can be maintained over time.

Keeping your carpets clean does entail some preparation and planning. Just as with any type of flooring, regular care and maintenance should be undertaken to keep the floors in their best condition:

Spills and spot cleaning:

• Act fast: Most spills can be picked up easily with a quick response. Always use water to initially treat a spill that may stain.
• Never rub at a stain. Your mantra for spot cleaning should be blot, blot, and blot.
• Keep a stockpile of clean, white washcloths on hand for spot and stain removal. The dye in colored washcloths can transfer to carpet, especially when being used with vinegar or other stain removing cleansers.
• Carefully remove any solids on a spot before attempting to treat a stain.
• For substantial spills, a shop vacuum is a handy tool to quickly extract liquid from the carpet.

Vacuuming 101:

• Vacuum often. Ok, so you don’t wear shoes on the carpet, and you can’t imagine how dirt would get into your home? It just does. Dust, hair, dander, and much more finds its way into the fibers of your carpet. It is important to vacuum on a regular basis as any trapped dust and dirt in the carpet fibers (seen or not) can actually damage the individual fibers as the debris is moved around and ground into the carpet from residents walking on the floor.
• All high-traffic areas should be vacuumed at least twice a week. Other areas of the home should be vacuumed on at least a weekly basis.
• Check the pile height adjustment to ensure that you vacuuming as efficiently as possible.
• Always empty the vacuum (bagless) of any and all debris recovered after each use. If your vacuum uses bags, the bags should be changed before they become too full.
• Bagless vacuums have filters that should be cleaned regularly. Clean, or replace, these filters approximately every 3 months.
• Exercise patience, but don’t take all day: If you’re in a hurry when you vacuum, you’re going to miss some of the dirt. Take a more methodical approach to your vacuuming. You don’t have to go too slow, just make sure that the vacuum has ample contact and drag on the carpet to pick up the most dust and dirt possible.
• Place door mats at every entrance to your home. Wiping shoes before entering greatly reduces the introduction of soil and dirt into the home.

Professional carpet cleaning:

• Experts recommend a professional carpet cleaning every 12 to 18 months.
• Carpet manufacturers overwhelmingly recommend a professional hot water extraction (steam cleaning) cleaning method for carpets.
• Rented or DIY carpet-cleaning machines will remove surface dirt, but it is important to hire a professional to perform a deep cleaning and thoroughly remove allergens, grease-based stains, and the dirt, dander, and dust trapped deep in the carpet fibers.
• Get references from friends, neighbors, and others for trusted professionals in your area.
• Always ask for a written estimate before any work is completed.

Keeping your carpet fresh and clean may require a certain amount of effort, but the comfort and pleasure of well-maintained carpeting can last for a very long time and is a true investment in your home.