The decision to purchase carpet and install it in your home is not always an easy one. There are so many options and styles from which to choose and getting the job done right can also be an expensive proposition (after all, you do get what you pay for in the end!).
So why would you want to destroy it after you went through all of that time and money to get just the right type of floor covering in your home? Well that’s what you’re doing and you probably don’t even know it. Perhaps you’re even taking certain actions that you aren’t aware are doing more harm than good.
Either way, stop it! We’re going to help you along by pointing out the things you’re doing that are destroying your carpet so you can preserve it better over the long term.
Simple Neglect
We get it, you live a busy, active lifestyle with a thousand things on your mind week in and week out. But if you want to keep your carpet looking and feeling its best, you should make your carpet one of those things you need to address on a routine basis.
It’s easy to forget to do even the smallest bit of maintenance on your carpets but if you just remember to vacuum once a week, you would be doing your pricey floor coverings a huge favor. Dirt, grime, germs, and bacteria can all get caught up inside and on top of your carpet’s fibers. These can all be harmful to the health of your carpet as well as you and your family’s well-being.
Not to mention the destructive power of some of the types of dirt and other contaminants that get into your carpet. You may not see it with the naked eye, but look up close and you will see that ground dirt can actually fray the fibers of the carpet.
Ever seen those dark spots in older carpets that have seen years of heavy foot traffic? That’s ground in dirt that has actually cut into the carpet fibers, permanently wrecking them. This is why they don’t ever disappear despite multiple cleanings. The carpet has been damaged and it’s all due to dirt that was left in the material.
So when you vacuum you are helping to stave off permanent damage to your carpet while making it cleaner and brighter. Professional deep cleanings can be even more effective at managing the look of your carpet and these should be conducted at least once a year.
Too Much Cleaning
Yup, it’s true. You can actually damage your carpet by cleaning it too often, though this applies to one method in particular – steam cleaning. As I mentioned before, a good deep cleaning should be done every year or two. Homes that have an abundance of constant foot traffic or more potential perils in the form of messes and accidents caused by children or pets may want to do this a little more routinely, say every 6 to 9 months.
But not EVERY month. Some of you are so careful about keeping that carpet looking spotless that you’ve purchased one of those home steam cleaners and you are putting it to use way too much.
Unfortunately your best efforts are the worst thing you can do because those cleaners are actually attracting more dirt than usual and you’re increasing your risk of developing mold and mildew under the carpet. All that steam is adding moisture into the carpet and the pad on a regular basis. When you steam clean a carpet normally, that moisture from the steam evaporates quickly enough without inviting harmful mold spores. If you do it over and over again, the wetness can build up and that’s how you start to run in trouble.
Another potential problem is that your carpet might also begin to wrinkle. I know, sounds weird as steam is supposed to eliminate wrinkles. But when you get all that moisture in the carpet it can start to buckle over time.
So you may want to lay off the steam cleaner. There are other ways to keep your carpet clean without bombarding it with moisture every few weeks.
Address the Mess
Never allow any liquids or substances to remain on your carpet fibers for any length of time. The longer they stay there, the more likely your carpet is going to have a stain. This goes for everything, from pet messes to errant spills. Always get right to the problem quickly and avoid using some of those abrasive spot cleaners you can buy at the supermarket.
In these instances, some simple white vinegar and water will do the trick a lot better and safer for both you and your carpet. Those store bought cleaners contain all kinds of chemicals that you don’t want in your carpet much less your home.
These are just some of the biggest faux pas that are committed by homeowners. For more information on these and other no-no’s, click here