Do You Make These Carpet Cleaning Mistakes?
The secret to maintaining the beauty of your carpet is to clean and maintain it regularly, at least once a week. Routine carpet cleaning extends its lifespan, improves indoor air quality, and ultimately saves you money. While DIY work is rewarding for most homeowners, it is not as effective as professional carpet cleaning. Not knowing the dos and don’ts can damage your carpet, causing it to wear prematurely.
Want to avoid potentially damaging your carpet? Here are some carpet cleaning mistakes you need to steer clear of in keeping your carpet last longer.
Not Vacuuming Often
Don’t wait until you have noticeable dirt on your carpet to vacuum. You can’t see all the dust, soil, and oils, but these particles are stuck deep onto your carpet fibers. Your carpets need routine upkeep and vacuuming to pick up all the contaminants between the fibers. Doing so will ensure that you don’t have a bed of soil underneath it and prevent fungi and bacteria’s growth.
Not Removing Stains Quickly
Let’s say you have a child who spills milk or any drink all the time. When something spills, act fast and remove it immediately. You should always act fast because the longer you wait, the tougher the stain will be. When the stains sit in the carpet fibers and padding, it can lead to wicking and recurring spots.
Moreover, you shouldn’t rub or mop the stain since it will further spread and settle within the fibers. Scrubbing the stains will disperse and move the stain around. Instead, gently dab and soak it up with a clean towel until all the spills are removed. Remove the stain completely with the appropriate spot removal solution.
Using the Wrong Cleaning Products
Carpet fibers are made from a wide range of materials that require different cleaning approaches. Using the wrong products will ruin your carpet and cause permanent discoloration. Before you buy a cleaning or stain removal solution, always do your research and check the carpet manufacturer’s guidelines for any product suggestions and recommendations.
Over-Shampooing
More isn’t always better. If you use too much shampoo and chemicals to clean your carpets, there will be too much residue that will be difficult to rinse off. This soapy residue will attract dirt and lead to mold and mildew growth over time. When going for a DIY carpet cleaning, only use the right amount of shampoo to remove the dirt and spots from the fabric.
Not Rinsing Properly
Proper rinsing of the carpet is important to remove all the soap and cleaner residue. Rinse the carpets enough but not too much. Over rinsing causes the fibers to soak up too much water. When your carpets are not dried properly, mold and fungus will eventually build up beneath the material.
Using Deodorizers
Deodorizing powders help make your carpets smell nice, but it isn’t a replacement for regular cleaning and vacuuming. Just because your carpet smells great doesn’t mean it’s clean. Cheaper deodorizers can cause a buildup of gunk that is very difficult to remove over time. If you want to get musty, stubborn smells out of your carpets, call in a professional carpet cleaner.
Lack of Regular Maintenance
DIY carpet cleaning should be part of your household chore list, and so does professional carpet maintenance. Vacuuming and cleaning regularly are important, but nothing beats having your carpets cleaned by a professional. Deep carpet cleaning is a must for removing dirt and tough stains that are settled into the fibers.
Most experts and carpet manufacturers recommend deep cleaning your carpets every 12-18 months to maintain the warranty and prolong the life of your carpets.
Conclusion
Once you are aware of common DIY carpet cleaning mistakes, you will be sure that your carpets get the TLC they deserve. Cleaning your carpets doesn’t have to be hard as long as you know the things to avoid. If you can’t remove a stain or spot, hiring a professional carpet cleaning company is absolutely the best option. They can get the job done with ease so that you can enjoy fresh, clean carpets all the time.
Schedule a cleaning service with Carpet Cleaning Pros of Lancaster today, and see how we can help your carpets look better than ever.