Carpets are soft underfoot and they give that much sought after homely feel. However, carpets can be a nightmare to clean, so take a look at our tips and tricks guide to make sure you know how to tackle yours.
Vacuum
It will not harm your carpet if you vacuum it as soon as it has been laid and at regular intervals after that, even if it does not look particularly dirty.
A new carpet will contain some short fibres which will be removed by vacuuming. The amount of short fibre which is removed from the carpet in the first few weeks after installation can look very dramatic, but it is in reality only a very small proportion of the pile weight and will in no way affect the carpet's performance.
Regular cleaning will help to keep your carpet looking good for years.
Put down barrier mats
Barrier mats can be used to help keep your carpet clean.
All types of flooring get dirty, although some show dirt more than others. Wool rich carpets, because of the nature of the wool fibre, will generally hide it better than synthetic products and will also be easier to clean. However, it is a good idea to use small mats or an offcut of your new carpet in kitchen doorways or in other areas where the carpet is next to a hard floor to prevent greasy spots spreading to the carpet. Doorways where there is street access will also benefit from a small offcut or a rug.
Remember to keep these mats clean so that dirt does not spread onto the carpet.
Deal with stains immediately
- Never rub or over wet your carpet when trying to remove marks. It is very important to clean up spillages as soon as they occur.
- Do not rub as this will roughen and untwist the pile.
- Solid residues should be gently removed by scraping with a knife.
- Greasy residues can be treated with an oil/grease remover sprayed onto an absorbent cloth. Blot frequently but do not rub.
Liquid stains
Liquid spillages should be blotted up as far as possible with a clean, white cloth or absorbent tissue. Then use a WoolSafe-approved shampoo solution or trouble shooter spray for upholstery and carpet.
Moisten the area of the stain and then blot thoroughly with clean tissue or cloths. Repeat as necessary and allow to dry thoroughly before walking on the area.
A wet suction vacuum cleaner can also be used to remove spillages and the trouble shooter spray from the carpet. Do not use water in the machine however, as you do not want to over wet the carpet.
Information courtesy of Brintons.co.uk
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