A plush, beautiful carpet is a welcome addition to any home because it adds a design element to a functional household item. The right carpet will look and feel great from the moment you step into a room—and onto that carpet!
As you walk in and out of your house, those lovely new carpets will quickly turn into old carpets, covered in stains and showing their age. So how do you restore a carpet to its former glory?
1. Clean Them Regularly
Your carpets are bound to get dirty frequently, no matter how careful you are. The best defense against premature carpet aging is to clean them regularly.
Vaccum them once a week to take care of everyday wear. This will help keep dust, dirt, and other carpet killers to a minimum. Plus, keeping your carpets clean will help keep your lungs healthy.
If you have pets, especially ones that shed, consider vacuuming every three days, or even every other day.
2. Treat Stains Immediately
The best way to prevent stubborn, ground-in stains is to treat them immediately. Blot fresh stains (rather than wiping) to soak up as much of the stain as possible. Then, treat the stain with club soda or vinegar.
Be careful with cleaning hacks if you don’t know the fiber content of your carpet. If you’re using anything stronger than white vinegar, test it first on a section of carpet that you know will stay hidden.
3. Fluff up the Fibers
High foot traffic areas and the places where your furniture sit are likely to leave indentations in the carpet. This can be a problem if you ever rearrange your furniture and want the carpet to look new again.
The best way to loosen fibers and restore the carpet is to vacuum the area where the fibers are pressed down. The suction will help lift them back up.
If the vacuum doesn’t work, place an ice cube on the flat area and let it melt. The combination of cold and damp will help the fibers stretch back to their original size. Make sure to blot up the excess moisture after!
4. Snip the Snags
Sometimes, pet claws or other sharp objects can snag on your carpet. If there are loose fibers sticking up, they can catch more easily, making the snag worse.
Before a snag becomes a tripping hazard, trim it. Use extra-sharp scissors and make sure you’re only cutting the loose fiber. You don’t want to accidentally trim too much and leave your carpet uneven or lumpy.
5. Schedule Regular Deep-Cleans
Even after regular home maintenance, your old carpet needs the occasional deep clean to look and feel its best. However, steam cleaning and spot treatment can be tricky if you don’t have the right tools or knowledge.
Instead of shelling out tons of money on state-of-the-art stain removers and a carpet steamer, schedule a regular deep-cleaning session with carpet professionals.
Teach Your Old Carpets New Tricks
Armed with these tips, you’ll be well on your way to bringing your old carpets back to life. When you’re ready for your next deep clean, contact us at Steam Weave Carpet for an estimate.