Does vacuuming count as carpet cleaning?
Vacuuming Does NOT Count As Carpet Cleaning...
Seriously.
We like to think we can keep our
carpets clean on our own, thank you very much. We just need to vacuum every
month or so and blot when there's a stain... right?
Wrong. Most carpet cleaning
companies recommend you to professionally clean your carpet every 12 to 24
months.
Vacuuming is just not enough.
Neither is cleaning carpets yourself. Hiring a professional carpet cleaner is
the best way to get your carpet in a healthier condition.
Indoor air quality can be eight to
ten times worse than outdoor air quality, if you don't clean your flooring,
clean your drapes and let air inside regularly. When millions of Americans suffer from indoor allergies,
air quality is a huge issue.
To keep the air in your home clean,
it's important to follow a few carpet-cleaning rules. Namely:
Call professionals to clean your
carpet, more often than you think you should.
We would recommend cleaning the
carpets frequently, in the interest of a dust-free home. Call a professional carpet
cleaner every six months, and every four to six WEEKS if you have a pet. (Keep
in mind this applies to carpets, not area rugs).
Regardless of how often you choose
to clean, using professional cleaners are hands-down necessary -- you shouldn't
attempt to clean carpet yourself. Only a professional can effectively lift dust
from deep within your carpet. If those dirt and particles is left there, it
will wear down and rip the carpet's fibers. Only professional with specialized machines
can truly take care of those deep down debris. The results of trying to do it
yourself can be sickening.
We've been on job sites where you
pull up the carpet and see a mold patch, due to over steam cleaning yourself. This
would be the ideal condition of turning your house into an incubator for mold
growth.
Between carpet cleaning, vacuum at
least weekly (or much more often with pets).
Of course, vacuuming remains the
easiest way to keep carpets and area rugs clean between professionally getting
them done. We would recommend vacuuming once per week, to keep those abrasive
dust particles out of carpet fibers. Ramp up the frequency in high-traffic
areas or if you have pets -- these spots might need daily vacuuming depending
on how much debris you notice.
And take area rugs out for spring
and fall cleaning sessions.
Area rugs vary in their care
instructions, so check yours for its ideal cleaning schedule. Generally, you
should vacuum rugs with the same frequency as carpets, then deep-clean them
every six months with a good old-fashioned broom-beating. Take rugs outside,
shake them out, beat them with an actual broom (ideally while wearing a mask to
protect your face), and let them air outside for a day.
Many area rugs can also be professionally
cleaned – consider cleaning them once every other year.
Another secret? Vacuum slowly.
One of the most common errors people
make when vacuuming is that they do it too fast. Vacuuming slowly allows a
vacuum cleaner to do its best work by vibrating carpet fibers and containing
dust in the vacuum.
Blot carpet spills immediately -- do
NOT wait.
Rubbing a stain will spread it around
and can distort the carpet's pile, or fluffy shape; and waiting to clean a
stain lets moisture seep deeper. We
would highly recommend cleaning spills the instant they happen.
If you do not have our unique dry
cleaning spot cleaner SPOLTESS, then try spraying a solution of 2 tablespoons
of salt to a half cup of white vinegar on a cloth and dab the stain, working
from the outside to its center. Rinse with a clean cloth the same way, and then
blot dry. To absorb leftover moisture, pile on a stack of paper towels and
place a heavy pot or vase on top. Leaving it there overnight will ensure all
wetness is fully gone.
Pick a carpet that's not a dust
magnet in the first place.
To prevent dust buildup in the first
place, choose a low pile carpet. This means picking a carpet or area rug with short
fibers -- high layers of fluff or shag will trap more dust (not to mention mite
carcasses, not good for allergy sufferers). We would recommend natural, durable
materials like wool instead of synthetic ones like nylon. Now carpet tiles
would be a stellar alternative to wall-to-wall carpets, when there's a spill,
you can pull up the tile and clean it on its own, and you can remove them
completely when you're ready for a scene change.
...and if you keep it clean, you can
keep it forever! (Well, almost.)
You can keep a rug for a lifetime,
if you keep it clean on a regular basis. Carpet lifespans, however, range with
quality -- some well-made varieties are made to last up to 20+ years if kept
dust-free and dry cleaned instead of steam cleaning with hot water.
I hope this motivates you to keeping
your expensive investment in the best condition as possible.
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