Regular carpet cleaning is an important part of a healthy home, right? But did you know some furniture and decor can damage your wet carpet. Brass, ceramic pots, untreated wood—these aesthetic gems, while charming, harbor a secret: they're dangerous for wet carpets. Placing these items on wet carpets can spell disaster, leaving stains, warps, or worse. In this article, we'll show you what items can harm your carpets and how to protect them and your belongings.
The Trouble-Makers
Brass, ceramic pots, untreated wood, steel, wicker, and leather trunks might be stylish, but they are not good for wet carpets. Even if you are using foam blocks or plastic tabs, many of these things can cause serious damage when they sit on or even touch a damp carpet. Think of things like:
- Brass lamps
- Brass vases
- Ceramic flower pots
- Untreated wood tables
- Steel bookends
- Steel plant stands
- Wicker laundry hampers
- Wicker chairs
- Leather trunks
- Leather magazine holders
- Leather suitcases
Preparation is Key
Good prep work will help keep your things safe after your carpet cleaning. Before the carpet cleaning service shows up, take a look around and gather up these items, or have a spot planned for them so the techs can move them for you. Move your brass, ceramic pots, and untreated wood off your carpet. Make sure they can stay there for up to 8 hours.
Understanding the Risks
These materials don't like moisture, and when they meet wet carpets, it's trouble. Brass might lose its shine, many ceramic pots can transfer dyes into your carpet, untreated wood may warp, steel may turn to rust and stain the carpet, wicker could lose its shape, the wood stain used on your furniture can leave a nasty mark; Leather trunks will bleed color into your carpet and get damaged as well. Most of these stains are permanent and will need to be patched rather than cleaned.
Patience Pays Off
Once the carpet cleaning is done, hold off on bringing these items back until the carpet is completely dry. If you're not sure it's dry, it is always better to wait longer and be safe than hope it is ready and end up with a problem that cannot be fixed. Your carpets should never take longer than 24 hours to dry. It's worth the wait. Rushing things might mess up both your lovely decorative items as well as the freshly cleaned carpet.
Cleaning your carpet is important, but it's crucial to avoid damaging your carpet or personal items in the process. Following these simple steps helps you keep your home looking fantastic while ensuring your treasures stay in top shape. Take a little care now, and everything will look and feel great later on. And if you want more tips and tricks, be sure to read another blog or watch one of our videos!