Carpet cleaning 101

Only the wealthy people could afford to use carpets in their homes before because it was believed that cleaning and maintaining a carpet is hard because it was quite expensive. But, when carpet manufacturers introduced cheaper carpets and when people learned the proper carpet cleaning how tos, the carpet industry was never the same.

Knowing your carpet

Selecting a carpet goes beyond mere color and design. It is not also about the brand or quantity you are going to buy. It is about suiting your needs, its quality, and its maintenance.

A carpet specialist will advise you to always check on important features like moisture barrier, a backing system that provides effective moisture barrier guards against bacterial growth and odors. Another feature to look for is the dimensional stability that minimizes growth or shrinkage of the carpet tile with changes in temperature and humidity. This feature also reduces curving, seam separation, ripples, peaks, and cupping. It also makes installation easier and less cost in floor maintenance.

Others also include indoor air quality program and low flammability that comply with local health and safety standards. Flames do not spread quickly through corridors, so people can exit buildings safely. It also keeps dangerous smoke emissions at low level.

How do you clean a carpet?

The luxurious carpets from this collection are perfect for your home and your money's worth, inspired by timeless, classical patterns, ethnic or modern designs with stylish combination of colors. Even if some can truly afford to buy a dozen--they choose not to because they are not aware of the do’s and don’ts in obtaining a carpet.

Basically, one of the reasons why carpets are seldom seen in most homes is that they see maintaining it a hard chore. But, it should not be if you familiarize yourself with the proper carpet cleaning how tos.

1. Carpet care through vacuuming. Cleaning the carpet using a vacuum cleaner is the best way to ensure that it is cleared thoroughly. When cleaning carpet through vacuuming, the two most important aspects involved should be frequency and good equipment. Thorough and frequent vacuuming at least three times a week prevents dry soils from accumulating below the surface of the carpet where they are far more difficult to clean. A vacuum cleaner with a rotating brush can make the carpet pile loosen dry soil such as feet marks, dirt, dust, and spills.

2. Carpet cleaning by removing spills and dirt. Aside from vacuuming, it is a must to clean your carpets on a regularly stains from food, beverages and the like. You may seek for the services of professional carpet cleaners or you can find remedy for them through using the proper cleaning agents for stain removal like detergent, ammonia, and vinegar solution as well as solvents, rust removers, and absorbent cleaners. The following are the type of treatment needed for each type of stain:

- Cold water for coffee, alcohol beverages, bleach, blood, tea, urine, ink, or fruit juice.

- Detergent solution or carpet shampoo solution for creams, mustards, latex paints, chocolates, eggs, salad dressing, or vomit.

- Solvent for cooking oils, butter, floor wax, lipstick, rust, soot, and tar.

- Chilled aerosol for candle wax and chewing gums.

- Warm water for softdrinks, milk, gravy, sauces, or ketchup.

- Clear nail polish remover for nail polish stains.

- Alcohol, methylated spirits, or mineral turpentines for oil paints.

- Absorbent powder such as salt and talc for wines.

Aside from these carpet cleaning how tos, you can prevent further damage to the carpet by prevention using doormats or rugs.