Tips for Extending the Lifespan of Your Carpet: Part 2

As the owner of Radius Carpet & Tile Cleaning carpet care and longevity are at the heart of our business. Proper care and maintenance of your carpet is at the heart of longevity of your carpets.

In part 1 we discussed vacuuming to remove dry soiling from the carpets as well as the best ways to remove the dry soiling in reference to the types of vacuum cleaners that are appropriate for carpets and rugs. To quickly revisit the main points of this, the best vacuum cleaners for carpets and rugs have a rotating brush that agitates the carpet fibres loosening up dry soiling as the vacuum is sucking the debris. A vacuum cleaner that lacks a rotating brush at its base will not help to maintain the lifespan of your carpet and rugs. It is better than nothing, but far from beneficial.

Having your carpets steam cleaned by a certified carpet cleaner no less than yearly will also increase the life. Where the home is a stand-alone structure, rather than an apartment, a truck mounted cleaning system is mechanically superior to the portable cleaning machine because the truck mounted cleaning system has greater heat and suction which creates a more thorough clean of your carpets.

Avoid over the counter carpet stain removers. Over the counter stain removers can bond the spill to the carpet fibres as well as oxidise the area creating a bleached area on or around the stain. This can lead to permanent stains and carpet repairs.

Summary of increasing the life of your carpet:

1.      Vacuum your carpets regularly to remove solids from carpet fibres.

2.      For residences, steam clean your carpets at least annually. We suggest semi-annual cleans for families over three people and or families with large pets. We recommend quarterly cleans for businesses with more than four employees and who receive walk in customers. For business, a quarterly carpet clean is best.

3.      We discourage the use over the counter stain removers as they either bond the stain to the fibres and/or may cause bleaching of the area over time. Call a professional for advice and rectification of the stain(s).

4.      If you can discipline the family enough, removing your shoes before entering your home will also increase the life of your carpet.