You like having soft carpets and area rugs that will make your place seem comfy and relaxing, but you hate the stains that form as soon as you step with your outside shoes. Not to mention the heartache you feel if you spill tea, food, or small crumbs onto those thick carpets that take so long to vacuum.
If you want to know how to keep those floorings looking fresh and brand new, you’re in the right place. The following article will share with you some tips and tricks on carpet and area rug maintenance, that will change the way you treat your rugs forever.
Rug and carpet maintenance
Vacuum often and vacuum right
When it comes to maintaining clean flooring, the first thing that you should consider is vacuuming. But, passing over your carpets with a vacuum cleaner is not enough, and you need to pay close attention to a few things. If your carpets are a flatweave, like the Teppe rugs, then you’ll have minimal problems, and the cleaning and maintenance will be down to the bare minimum. But, the real problem occurs with carpets and rugs that are thick, with lots of wool to them. Crumbs get stuck in between, and sometimes you even need to pick them out by hand.
Your vacuum cleaner comes with additional parts that you put on the vacuuming end. Different parts are made for different surfaces, and now would be the perfect time to read the manual that comes with your vacuum. Remember to vacuum slowly and firmly, first vertically, then once again horizontally. The more you pass over one area, the more of the dirt lifts up, and the finish will be a lot neater. Remember to clean the bag of your vacuum regularly during cleaning, and avoid filling it more than half, as the performance of the vacuum will decrease.
Clean stains as soon as they form
Stains are the biggest enemy to bright colored floorings, especially carpets. It happens often, and it happens to everyone, not to mention if you have regular guests or small children running around. It would be best to invest in materials that don’t stain easily and are easy to clean. There is one big secret when it comes to cleaning stains: dab, don’t scrub! Scrubbing will only make the stain look bigger and you’ll mess up a bigger area of your carpet or rug. If there are bigger parts of the spill, try picking them up with a dry cloth or tissue, and after that, grab another, clean one, and dab all of the liquid.
Each type of stain requires a different approach, so make sure you know the source. If it’s a mud stain, dab it with tissues until it’s barely there, and then go over it with a wet wipe or a damp rag to get anything that’s left. For oil stains, sprinkle some baby powder or baking soda, and once it absorbs the oil, put some dish soap on top. After that, wash the area with clean water and leave it to dry. Time is crucial, so make sure you clean up the mess as soon as it happens.
Redecorate often
Now, we’re not necessarily encouraging you to go and buy a new carpet and cute area rugs right now, but if that’s your thing, you go for it! We are talking about switching up the furniture that lays on top of the carpet and the area rug in your room. Sofas, cupboards, tables are all heavy furniture, and after a while, they can cause dents and creases in your flooring, which can look unpleasant.
Once the damage to the carpet is done, it cannot be undone, so it’s best to prevent it. Moving your furniture around a bit every now and then will prevent the damage, and if you see some dents while moving don’t worry! Simply vacuum over them, rub them around in different directions, and leave them be. In a couple of minutes, they’ll disappear.
Layer up
If you’re more of a carpet person, then the chances are your house is filled with them. That’s great and there are man carpets out there that can show off your style and personality, but one of the disadvantages is that carpets can get worn out over time, and if they are one of those wall-to-wall installations, then replacing them every now and then can be quite expensive. But, there are other ways to switch it up and make your carpets seem brand new, no matter how long ago you’ve bought them.
If you haven’t already, consider buying area rugs to put over your carpets. It’s a great, stylish addition, and there are tons of area rugs to pick from. You can even make your own personal one, that will reflect your personality. What’s also great about area rugs is that they protect your carpets, keep your feet warm, and once you decide, you simply roll them up and store them away, simply as that!
