When it comes to the preservation of your carpets, vacuuming is a primary maintenance step. You simply cannot vacuum enough, and contrary to belief, vacuuming will not damage carpets. Treating spills right away is vital to keep carpets looking their best. When people tackle the stains and spots, many homeowners attack the blemishes and end up making the stain problem worse and even causing irreversible damage. Today, we at Carpet Care 2000 would like to take the opportunity to share the big no nos of carpet cleaning.
1) Don’t Use Hot Water when Treating Carpet Stains
Using hot water is required in very few circumstances. Much like washing clothes in hot water, the stain will set into the carpet fibers and depending on the substance, the stain can become a permanent blemish. When treating stains, never use water that is hotter than lukewarm and if you are ever in doubt, be sure to use cool water straight from the tap to avoid causing catastrophe. Never over saturate. The carpet should never get over-wet as it can lead to sub-floor and carpet damage as well potential mold-growth.
2) Avoid Using Printed or Dyed Rags to Clean Stains
Many people tend to use rags to teat carpet stains in addition to paper towels. The problem with not using solid white only cloths, rags, paper towels, and towels, is that the prints and dyes can inadvertently be transferred onto the carpet while trying to remove the stain, leaving you with an extra mess. Stick to only using white paraphernalia.
3) Letting the Spill Sit on Carpet is a Mistake
The longer any spill is left to linger, the harder it is to remove. Not only can the stains become a challenge to lift out, but the odors can still develop the longer the substance sits. When a spill makes contact with the carpet, it is best to immediately start treating it.
4) Don’t Scrub Carpet Stains
Scrubbing and/or rubbing the substance only spread the spot out wider and pushes it deeper into the fibers. When you treat the spill, throughout the whole process, you need to blot. Use moderate pressure to press and pat the spill, letting the substance absorb into the paper towel or rag. For better containment, be sure to blot on the outer ridge and work your way towards the center.
5) Avoid Skipping the Patch Test
Many homeowners presume the carpet stain removing product is safe, or that their favorite homemade solution is familiar enough to use. Getting too comfortable with cleaning removers means that you can potentially ruin your carpets by lightening the colors, or other fiber damage. Every time you use a cleaner to treat spots and stains on the carpets, always perform a patch test in an inconspicuous location to ensure there is not a negative impact.
6) Not Rinsing & Drying Carpet Spots is a Mistake
After the spots have been treated, many people feel victorious with their efforts and walk away. However, it is essential you use a water only dampen cloth to rinse away the cleaner from the surface using the blotting technique. Many lingering cleaning residues can cause issues within a few days, leaving you with another spot to treat. After the surface is rinsed, dry the area as best as possible. Place a towel over the top and weight it down over night if necessary, to absorb the residual moisture.
Upholstered Furniture Cleaning & More in Tracy, Livermore, San Ramon, Dublin, Mountain House, Walnut Creek, Danville & the East Bay of California
When your carpets are due for a cleaning, or you are having a problem with stains, call Carpet Care 2000 and let our certified experts clean, sanitize, and deodorize your carpet. Contact us today!
