How to look after your carpet

The moment you get a new carpet in, the aspect of the room changes completely. A beautiful carpet brings an air of comfort to the room, and not to mention the smell of new. However, the cost can be quite high, so you want to take the best care of your flooring. Here are a few tips that will help the carpet look great for a good few years!

1. Vacuum regularly

Please don’t wait until the carpet gets too dirty to vacuum it. Soil particles—the type vacuuming expel—are harsh and can scrape and wear carpet fibres away over time. Because vacuuming is a vital part of lengthening the lifetime of your carpet, you must choose a vacuum that is of high quality. A new carpet will contain some short fibres, which will be removed by vacuuming. The amount of short fibre removed from the carpet in the first few weeks after installation can look very scary, but in fact, it is only a tiny proportion of the pile weight and will in no way affect the carpet’s performance. Note that heavy traffic areas may need more regular vacuuming than other areas.

2. Use doormats at the entrances

A walk-off mat or a doormat prevents dirt from being transferred all over the carpet. Make sure you keep them clean as well to avoid becoming the source of soiling. Also, it’s a good idea to use small mats or an offcut of your new carpet in kitchen doorways or in other areas where the carpet is next to a hard floor to prevent greasy spots from spreading to the carpet.

3. Deal with stains as soon as they happen

Accidents can happen, but the key to preventing stains from setting in is to act immediately. The quicker you act, the easier the stain can be removed. There are two types of stains, oil stains and water-based stains. Depending on what type you have to deal with, there are different methods you can use.

For oil stains, use a product specifically designed to treat grease stains. Warm water alone won’t remove the grease. Never apply these types of products directly to the carpet fibre or yarn. It could be good to test the product on a small area of the tufted carpet first to see if the product causes any decolourisation. Then, you can use a combination of water and dishwashing liquid to break down the grease. Never rub the tufted carpet; this could damage the carpet fibres or yarns and change the carpet structure. Never soak a carpet with water through to the backing.

For water-based stains, use a paper towel or cloth to remove the spill. Next, rewet the carpet with lukewarm water, and try using a mixture of vinegar and water. You can also use carpet cleaning products but always test them in a hidden part of the carpet to prevent discolouration.

4. Minimise direct sun light

If your carpet is in the direct sunlight in your room, then you’ll have to think of shades, blinds, or covers to assist in protecting your carpet from fading as well as lengthen its lifetime. Sunlight can definitely cause discolouration in the carpet. When the dyed fibres are exposed to the ultraviolet rays in sunlight, they can fade out. It’s possible to get a patchy look or have a solid section of sun fading appear. In commercial or residential rooms with large, south- or west-facing windows, sun damage to carpet may be problematic.

Not only does exposure to sunlight cause the colour of the carpet to face, but it can also compromise the integrity of the carpet fibre. It can turn a once-soft carpet into a stiff and brittle area.

5. Rearrange furniture from time to time

Rearranging your furniture will change the foot traffic patterns and ensure even wearing of every section of your carpet over time. If you leave the heavy items on the carpet for a very long period of time, the carpet will wear unevenly. Instead, try changing the furniture around once per year, and that will also freshen up the look of your room!

6. Get it professionally cleaned at least once per year

Even if you vacuum your carpet regularly, professional deep cleaning is required every 12 months. A company like carpet cleaning Dublin can help; all you need to do is look for a carpet cleaning service online or ask your friends and relatives if they know anyone who can help. There are different methods for carpet cleaning, such as encapsulation (dry cleaning or bonneting) or wet extraction cleaning (also known as steam cleaning). The wet extraction method offers the deepest cleaning of the carpet, while the encapsulation can be done every few months to maintain the carpet clean. A professional carpet cleaning company will also deal with stain removal, as they have the knowledge, equipment and detergents to do so.