Carpeting is generally found in most homes and commercial spaces. Whether it is minimal or abundant, the carpet is flooring cover often utilized as it offers a wide variety of colors, patterns, and textures. Like most things in our homes and businesses, we want to extend our investments out as much as possible and caring for carpets is a big one. Carpets that get neglected never last long, but when they are properly cared for, they have the potential to surpass the projected life expectancy. For those who have not been exposed to carpet care, or even the veterans that need a reminder, we at American Hometown Services, Inc would like to take the opportunity to discuss the basics of proper carpet care.

Carpet Cleaning & Care Tips

1) It is optimal that your carpets get vacuumed every night, especially in high traffic areas. But if you haven’t the time due to a busy schedule, vacuum the high traffic areas three to four times a week and hit the other areas with your vacuum once a week at the bare minimum. A myth that many believe is that too much vacuuming results in worn carpets. The fact is the excessive dirt and particles that stay on the carpet in conjunction with foot traffic creates friction, much like a sandpaper effect. Not vacuuming is damage, vacuuming minimizes the wear.
2) To help reduce the amount of dirt and debris your carpets come into contact with, place walk-off mats on both interior and exterior points of doorways. Area rugs and runners also help.
3) As frequently as necessary, or at minimum once a week, vacuum under the various rugs. Removing the loose dirt that is trapped between the rug and the carpet needs to be routinely done before any damage occurs. Don’t forget to vacuum the tops of the rugs as often as you do the carpet.
4) Test the rugs for colorfastness before placing them on the carpet to ensure they do not bleed. Because area rugs, runners, or walk-off mats commonly bleed their colors onto carpets.`
5) To ensure your vacuum is operating at its full potential, clean the interior parts once a month and change the filter every six months.
6) As soon as the carpets assaulted with foreign liquids or stain causing debris, immediately treat spots and stains with your preferred carpet stain remover cleaner; an all purpose carpet stain remover that works well is mixing 1 cup of cool water with ¼ tsp of a bleach-free liquid detergent. Always blot, don’t scrub, and never use hot water.
7) In an inconspicuous area of your carpet, perform a test patch of your preferred cleaning agent to ensure the carpet’s color or integrity is not compromised with the chemicals in your cleaner; never skip this step.
8) Because they dissipate over time, routinely re-apply the stain-resistant protector to your carpets following a professional cleaning. These applications only help resist staining and so stains and spots need to be immediately removed as soon as possible.
9) Use blinds, curtains, drapes, UV protecting film, or other such window treatments to block the direct sunlight to avoid fading. One to two times a year, rearrange the furniture to create new foot traffic pathways to even out wear.
10) Hire a professional to come and deep clean your carpets one to two times a year along with the upholstery to preserve optimal conditions.

Carpet Cleaning & More in Quincy, Macomb, Hamilton, Warsaw, Marcelline, Fall Creek & East Alton Illinois | Hannibal, Missouri

When your carpets are faced with stubborn stains or odors, or they are due for a professional cleaning, call in the pros of American Hometown Services, Inc and let our experts clean, sanitize, and deodorize your carpets.