Taking care of your carpets and rugs
Your carpet and rugs. You walk on it, play on it, drop things on it…you might even sleep on it. But while you’re down there, consider this: a neglected carpet can contain up to four times its own weight in dirt.
More than 90% of the germs, dirt, pollen, or other toxins in your home were tracked in on your shoes. That doesn’t even include flakes of dead skin, on which dust mites can thrive all year round, potentially giving you allergies, asthma, or emphysema. And vacuuming won’t do the trick.
Your rugs and carpets should be deep cleaned at least once every 12-18 months. Every rug or carpet requires unique care, but just remember these basics:
Don’t believe it.
It’s a myth that washing rugs and carpets, especially woolen ones, ruins or shrinks them. In fact, when properly cleaned, colors should be more vivid, no shrinkage should occur, and your carpet should last longer.
Invest in the future.
If your carpet is light-colored, or you have kids and pets, it might be worth your while to invest in a carpet-cleaning system for your home. While not as powerful as those of professional carpet cleaners, they do the trick nicely and keep stains to a minimum.
Obey your carpet.
Carefully read the instructions from the manufacturer as to how to properly clean your carpet or rug. Otherwise, you may nullify your warranty.
Redistribute the weight.
Moving your furniture around once a year gives carpet’s heavy-traffic areas a rest and ensures consistent aging.
Hire a Pro.
A professional carpet cleaner often cleans more quickly and with less hassle. Insist that any professional carpet cleaning company send a rep to your home first, to scout the location and provide a written estimate. The Carpet & Rug Institute says “under normal circumstances, there should be no extra charge for moving furniture, preconditioning, and routine spot and stain removal.”
Your rugs and carpets take care of you. Take proper care of them, and your relationship is sure to last longer.
