Carpet Care 101: Your Go-to Guide

Your carpets are an essential element of your home's interior and deserve the finest care to maintain their pristine condition. In this guide, we'll cover the basics of carpet care, from maintenance to selecting the perfect cleaning products. Whether you’re managing the timeless beauty of wool or the modern appeal of Berber, this article provides expert advice tailored for homeowners. Let’s explore how to keep your carpets as stunning as the rest of your home.

Carpet Maintenance

Your family walks on the carpets every day, so it's important to keep them clean and healthy. Consistency is key!

• Vacuum Regularly: Vacuum once a week to get rid of allergens, dirt, and keep your carpets looking nice.
• Quick Spill Cleanup: If there's a spill, clean it up fast to avoid stubborn stains.
• Professional Cleaning: Aim to have your carpets professionally cleaned every 14 -18 months to keep them in top shape.

Carpet Cleaning Products

Different types of stains need different cleaning products.

• Protein-Based Stains: For pet urine or milk, use an enzymatic cleaner.
• Gum & sticky Stains: Use a citrus-based cleaner.
• General Spot Removal: Use water and vinegar or a soap-free spot remover.

Why Do Stains Keep Coming Back?

Stains usually come back for two reasons:

1. Soap Residue: Soapy cleaners leave behind soap residue that attracts new dirt and oil.
2. Excess Liquid: Too much liquid can cause stains to wick back up through the underlay, common with pet stains or big spills.

Soap-Free

Soap is great for washing dishes but not good for your carpets. Soap attracts dirt and oil, which is fine when you can rinse it away, but in carpets, it's hard to flush out all the soap. This leaves behind a sticky residue that attracts more dirt and oil. This is why your carpets look great right after a carpet cleaning, but a few weeks later start to look dull and dirty; or why that stain you keep cleaning seems to reappear. It’s new dirt sticking to that soapy-residue. Always go soap-free when it comes to carpet cleaning products.

When to DIY and When to Call for Help

Do-It-Yourself:

• For simple household stains like coffee or soda, use a mix of water and vinegar.
• Tackle tiny pet stains with an enzyme-based cleaner.
• Whenever something spills, always blot some of it up, even if it will need professional cleaning later.

Time to Call in the Professionals:

• Stubborn stains like makeup, paint, or candle wax need expert help.
• If your carpet has many numerous  spots, making the cleaned areas stand out.
• Super-smelly pet stains might have seeped into the carpet's underlay. Call the experts.
• If someone in your home has allergies, regular professional cleaning can help reduce allergens.
• Fancy carpets like wool, bamboo, or saxony need professional care to keep them looking their best.

Carpet Anatomy: What's Your Carpet Made of?

Carpets have four different parts:

• Fibers: The building blocks, made from various materials, in many colours and patterns.
• Backing: Like the carpet's backbone, it’s layers of mesh glued or laminated together, which hold the fibers.
• Underlay: The cushion underneath the carpet, which can be thick or thin, and may resist stains.
• Subfloor: The solid ground beneath it all, usually concrete or wood, supporting your whole carpet.

A Field Guide to Carpet Types

Let’s look at popular carpet styles and their quirks:

Berber Carpet:

• Pros: Tough, resists stains, and looks modern.
• Cons: Feels rough and can snag easily.

Shag Carpet:

• Pros: Super soft, cozy, adds warmth and style.
• Cons: Hard to clean, long fibers trap dirt and allergens.

Wool Carpet:

• Pros: Natural, soft, luxurious, and tough.
• Cons: Expensive, needs extra care, dislikes direct sunlight.

Nylon Carpet:

• Pros: Sturdy, resists stains, easy to find.
• Cons: Can cause static electricity and isn’t as soft.

Polyester Carpet:

• Pros: Affordable, soft, colourful, resists stains.
• Cons: Not as long-lasting as nylon, may get scruffy.

Olefin (Polypropylene) Carpet:

• Pros: Repels stains and moisture, budget-friendly, good for outdoors.
• Cons: Not as soft, may show wear in busy areas.

There you have it, your carpet care in a nutshell. Keep it simple, clean it well, and your carpets will thank you with years of cozy comfort. Be sure to check out our Signature Carpet & Upholstery Care Guide for more tips and tricks on keeping your carpets healthy and looking their best.