With proper care, a good quality carpet should last a minimum of 10 years. When you invest in a quality carpet for your home or business, you want to do everything within your power to make sure your carpet continues to look good and lasts a long time. We’ve put together a list of the top 5 things you can do to make your carpet last longer and a few things you shouldn’t do.
What to Do to Make Your Carpet Last Longer
1. Vacuum – the absolute most important thing you can do to make your carpet last longer is to vacuum it regularly. If you have an active family or business, you should be vacuuming your carpets a minimum of two times every week. A simple, once over won’t do it either. You need to make multiple passes with the vacuum cleaner to ensure all the dirt, dust, and grime is lifted from the carpet.
When vacuuming is neglected, dirt and grime get packed down into the carpet fibers and the friction from walking on it will wear your carpets out faster. When you diligently vacuum your carpet, you can reduce the overall wear and tear on your carpet.
2. Take Off Your Shoes – although this isn’t an option for businesses, taking off your shoes when you get home will certainly improve the longevity of your home’s carpet. If you wear your outdoor shoes indoors, you effectively are bringing in additional dirt and grime into your home and depositing it on your carpet. If you can’t bear the idea of taking your shoes off once you get home, purchase an entry mat and make sure you thoroughly wipe your feet before entering the rest of your house.
3. Spot Clean / Stain Warranties – even if your carpet comes with a stain warranty, you still need to make sure you spot clean any stains as soon as they happen. Many carpet warranties will include information on how to spot clean your specific carpet. When in doubt, you can access the Carpet and Rug Institute’s guidelines on carpet cleaning. Surprisingly enough, carpets are often made with delicate fabrics that won’t hold up well to harsh chemicals and heavy scrubbing. Treat your carpet with care and it will last much longer.
4. Rotate Your Furniture – your residence and/or business will develop foot traffic patterns over time and these areas of your carpet will wear out much quicker. If it is feasible, rearrange your furniture every six months or so, this will slightly modify the foot traffic patterns in your home or office and wear your carpet out more evenly.
5. Professional Cleaning – having your carpets professionally cleaned is absolutely essential, and oftentimes required as part of your carpet’s warranty. Residential and commercial properties will need to be cleaned on different schedules (yearly vs semi-annually), and your trusted carpet cleaning expert can help you set up a cleaning schedule. By having your carpets professionally cleaned, you can make sure your carpet looks good and lasts longer.
What Not to Do
1. Go Barefoot – when you agree to take your shoes off before you come indoors, keep in mind that you shouldn’t go barefoot. Any sweat your feet produce, or dirt they pick up, will get deposited onto your carpet, which can cause it to wear out prematurely. We recommend you purchase a pair of house shoes to combat this issue.
2. Void Your Warranty – home and business owners need to make sure they adhere to their carpet’s warranty, making sure they have their carpets cleaned according to schedule, use the proper solutions to spot-clean, and any other stipulations spelled out in the warranty.
3. Forget to Vacuum – set your home or business up on a vacuuming schedule and make sure you stick to it and do multiple passes on higher-traffic areas.
That’s It!
By following these simple steps, you can make sure that you get the most out of your carpet. When it comes time to schedule a professional carpet cleaning, contact SV Professional Cleaning, one of the premier carpet cleaning companies in Alexandria VA.