Carpet Cleaning Auckland – We like to think we can keep our carpets clean on our own, thank you very much. We just need to vacuum every month or so and blot when there’s a stain… right? Wrong.
In other words, vacuuming is not enough. Neither is steaming carpets yourself. Professional steaming is, like it or not, legally the only way to protect your carpet in most cases. And it’s also a way to protect your health.
Between steams, vacuum at least weekly (or much more often with pets).
Of course, vacuuming remains the easiest way to keep carpets and area rugs clean between steams – experts recommend vacuuming once per week, to keep those abrasive dust particles out of carpet fibers. Ramp up the frequency in high-traffic areas or if you have pets – these spots might need daily vacuuming depending on how much debris you notice.
And take area rugs out for spring and fall cleaning sessions.
Area rugs vary in their care instructions, so check yours for its ideal cleaning schedule. You should vacuum rugs with the same frequency as carpets, then deep-clean them every six months with a good old-fashioned broom-beating. Take rugs outside, shake them out, beat them with an actual broom (ideally while wearing a mask to protect your face), and let them air outside for a day.
Another secret? Vacuum slowly.
One of the most common errors people make when vacuuming is that they do it too fast. Vacuuming slowly allows a vacuum cleaner to do its best work by vibrating carpet fibers and containing dust in the vacuum.
Blot carpet spills immediately – do NOT wait.
Rubbing a stain will spread goo around and can distort the carpet’s pile, or fluffy shape. And waiting to clean a stain lets moisture seep deeper.
Spray carpet cleaner on a cloth and dab the stain, working from the outside to its center. Rinse with a clean cloth the same way, and then blot dry. To absorb leftover moisture, pile on a stack of paper towels and place a heavy pot or vase on top. Leaving it there overnight will ensure all wetness is fully zapped.
Pick a carpet that’s not a dust magnet in the first place.
To prevent dust buildup in the first place, choose a low pile. This means picking a carpet or area rug with short fibers – high layers of fluff or shag will trap more dust. Natural, durable materials like wool instead of synthetic ones like nylon could be better.
…and if you keep it clean, you can keep it forever! (Well, almost.)