9 Tips for Extending the Lifespan of Carpet

Are your carpets looking worn out and tired these days? Can you see dirty stains on the surface of your rugs? Wondering how you can extend your carpet lifespan and avoid buying a new one?

Most people don’t notice the state of their carpet until it’s too late to do anything about it.  A carpet both protects your floors and helps decorate your home.

Read on for the best 9 carpet care tips that will extend the lifespan of carpet and keep your home cleaner!

1. Vacuum Your Carpet Regularly

The easiest way to remove dirt, allergens, bugs, and debris from your rugs is by vacuuming regularly. When you develop a weekly habit of vacuuming, you can avoid dirt and debris from building up on the carpet fibers.

The best way to clean carpet is to vacuum slowly and make multiples passes. This vibrates the carpet fibers and contains all of the dust in the vacuum cleaner. Most vacuums only pick up 75% of surface dirt in one pass, but run the vacuum twice or three times and you can remove up to 98% of the reachable dirt.

Make sure your vacuum is set to the correct level. If it’s too high it won’t pull up enough dirt; if it’s too low you could damage the carpet.

Also, be sure to empty the vacuum bag and clean or replace the filter regularly. An almost full bag could strain your vacuum and cause it to run less efficiently. A dirty filter reduces the vacuum’s power.

2. Use Rugs and Mats in High Traffic Areas

Laying down smaller rugs and mats will help reduce wear-and-tear in high traffic areas. Common areas to consider using this extra protection include doorway and hallways, in front of couches, alongside beds, and under tables. It will be easier and less expensive to clean or even replace these mats than your entire carpet.

3. Keep Dirt Out of Your House

The first step to keep your carpets clean is to stop dirt from getting on them. Putting a doormat at the entrance of your home lets people wipe any dirt or debris off their shoes before they come inside. Select a sturdy, textured mat to help pull dirt off your shoes. Pick up and shake the dirt and debris off the mat to keep it clean. Replace it regularly or else it will lose its effectiveness.

Another tactic is to ask people to take their shoes off at the front door. The majority of dirt in a home comes in on peoples’ shoes! A person wearing shoes will track dirt in for over 17 steps inside the home before the shoes are clean. The dirt sinks down into the carpet and, grinds away at the fibers, and will eventually wear your carpet out.

Stopping dirt at the front door will keep it from getting inside your home and onto your carpets.

4. Clean Up Spills When They Happen

Don’t allow a spill to sit on your carpet. The longer a stain is there, the more will be absorbed and remain. If a spot stays too long, it will oxidize and become a permanent stain.

Start by picking up as much of the spilled item as you can.  Use a scraping action to remove any solid portions onto a towel. Then mist water on the area and put a towel over it to absorb anything that remains.

Don’t rub or scrub at the stain. Rubbing only pushes the stain deeper and spreads it. Carefully blot at the area and let the towel absorb it up.

For grease-based stains, dishwasher detergent can help break down the stain and make it easier to clean up. If you have a bloodstain, use ice water and detergent to break up the organic matter first. Hydrogen peroxide can be used to treat any blood that remains.

5. Your Carpets and Your Pets

If you have a cat or dog, they will definitely contribute more dirt, hair, dander, and allergens to your household. Plan for extra vacuuming to help keep the extra debris in check. If you have a pet, you may want to invest in a good enzyme cleaner to help counter urine and other odorous substances a pet can leave.

6. Consider Automated Cleaning Tools

There are many new automatic cleaning tools to help clean your home. The most popular is the robotic vacuum that can work on its own without you needing to guide it. This intelligent futuristic technology can be set to run every day to keep dirt and debris from collecting on your carpet.

7. Professionally Deep Clean Your Carpet

A professional hot-water extraction cleaning gives you a buildup free carpet clean that lasts up to a year. The truck-mounted equipment professionals use offers more power and rinsing capabilities than you can get on your own with a portable machine. The high-pressure extraction and rinsing remove embedded dust, allergens, and greasy residues. Heating the water to over 220 degrees (Fahrenheit) will kill off any infectious viruses or bacteria in your carpet fibers.

Be sure to look for a cleaning company with IICRC-certified technicians. They are trained in cleaning methods and will know how to clean carpet and how to make carpet last beyond its expected lifespan.

8. Rearrange Furniture to Extend the Lifespan of Carpet

Moving the furniture around your home can also help maintain your carpet. Rearranging can change the foot traffic in an area, causing less wear and tear in the same spots.

9. Use Carpet Protectant to Keep Carpet Cleaner Longer

The final carpet care tip is to use a carpet protectant to help extend the lifespan of your carpet. A protectant coats carpet fibers with a barrier to help keep dirt, oils and spills from being absorbed by fibers.

How to Make Carpet Last

Extending your carpet’s life expectancy can help you save money by avoiding the expense of replacing the carpet. Most manufacturers say a carpet can last 10 years when it’s taken care of properly. Use these tips listed above to extend the lifespan of carpet in your home a little bit longer!

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