Carpet Care & Maintenance

No matter how careful and protective you are of your new carpet, it’s inevitable that it will eventually fall prey to a spot or a spill. Even through today’s carpets are much more stain and soil resistant than ever before, they can still be damaged if spills, messes and stains are left unattended.

Extend the beauty and life of your carpet by giving it the care it needs. Follow these tips for proper carpet cleaning. They’ll help keep it looking great for its full lifetime, help improve your indoor air quality and keep your carpet warranties intact.

4 Easy Steps for Caring for Carpets

Vacuum high traffic areas daily. For all carpets area, follow a regular vacuuming schedule.
Clean spots and spills quickly with products that do not damage the carpet or cause it to resoil quicker.
Professionally deep clean your carpets every 12 – 18 months to remove embedded dirt and grime.
Stop dirt at the door by using mats outside and in, taking your shoes off when you enter the house and changing your air filters to reduce airborne dust particles.

How Often Should I Vacuum Carpets?

As a rule of thumb, vacuum carpets at least once a week with a quality vacuum cleaner. However, the more foot traffic over your carpet, the more you need to vacuum. Here’s a good schedule:

Daily in high-traffic or pet areas.
Twice weekly in medium-traffic areas.
Weekly in light-traffic areas, using attachments at carpet edges.

What to Do When Spills Happen on Carpets

No carpet is completely stain proof. The key to preventing permanent stains is to act quickly when they happen!

Step One: Absorb the Spill

Blot liquids with a dry, white absorbent cloth or plain white paper towels. Continue until the area is barely damp. Scoop up semisolids, like food spills, with a spoon. Solid, dried bits can be vacuumed up. Do not scrub or use a brush because these actions can cause fraying and texture changes.

Step Two: Treat the Spot or Stain

Use a cleaning product specifically formulated for carpets. Check your warranty for recommendations. Before you treat, test any cleaner on a scrap of carpet or in an out-of-the-way area of carpet.

Follow the product’s directions carefully. More is not better. Apply a small amount of the cleaner to a white cloth and work in gently, from the edges to the center. Blot, don’t scrub. You may need to do this several times. After the spot is gone, blot the area with clear water once or more to remove any remaining product.