Keeping Your Carpets Clean Between Steam Cleans: Top Five Tips

Steaming cleaning helps extend the life of your carpets. Many homeowners have their carpets professionally steamed by expert carpet cleaners every 6 to 12 months. However, between steam cleans, dirt and debris continue to build up.

Here are five tips for keeping your carpets clean between steam cleans.

1. Vacuum at Least Twice Per Week

Vacuuming is necessary for picking up dust and dirt that accumulates in the carpet fibres. Without frequent vacuuming, the debris can gradually settle below the carpet. The settled dirt may aggravate allergies and respiratory issues.

Areas that do not receive much foot traffic may only require vacuuming once per week. High-traffic areas, such as the paths that people tend to walk the most, may require vacuuming at least twice per week.

If you have pets, you may want to invest in a vacuum designed specifically for eliminating pet hair and dander. They often feature more powerful motors and special brushes for lifting pet hair from carpeting.

2. Spot Clean Stains Right Away

Attempting to remove stains as soon as they appear increases the chances of success. Regularly inspect your carpet for stains from pets, foot traffic, and food. Blot or dab oil-based stains and grease stains with a household cleaning solvent, such as white vinegar and water or a store-bought cleaner.

Dirt and mud can often be cleaned using lukewarm water and a clean cloth. You may also need to use a small amount of mild dish detergent.

Along with stains, you may notice snags in the carpet. Never attempt to pull a snag, as pulling can tear the carpet away from the backing material. To keep the snag from becoming a larger problem, cut it off with a pair of scissors.

3. Use Door Mats to Reduce the Presence of Dirt

Using doormats helps limit the spread of dirt from people entering your home. Place an outdoor mat in front of each exterior door and an indoor mat at each entrance. Wipe your shoes on the outdoor mat and take them off as you stand on the indoor mat.

Along with using doormats, you may want to encourage guests to remove their shoes. Carpet fibres can easily catch dirt and debris from the bottom of shoes. Besides dirt, the bottoms of shoes often contain trace amounts of bacteria and even faecal matter.

4. Apply a Carpet Deodoriser to Maintain a Fresh Smell

After a professional steam clean, you may notice that your rooms tend to smell much nicer. Professional carpet cleaners often use a deodoriser. However, you do not need to wait for the next deep cleaning to deodorise your carpet.

Use borax, baking soda, or a store-bought deodoriser to maintain a fresh scent and eliminate any lingering odours. Using a deodoriser can also help reduce the risk of mould and mildew.

5. Use Rugs and Runners to Shield Carpet in High-Traffic Areas

Covering your carpeting is one way to protect against dirt, debris, and stains. Use rugs and runners of various sizes to shield your carpeting in areas that receive the most traffic, such as the entrance or in front of your living room furniture.

If you have a home office or computer desk and chair, use a plastic mat to keep the carpet from wearing due to the frequent movement of the chair. Placing glides, coasters, or floor grips on the bottom of furniture legs can also help protect your carpet.

If you struggle to keep up with carpet cleaning due to a busy schedule, help is available. Hire a professional cleaning company to keep your carpeting in top shape between deep cleaning treatments.

Author Profile

Mark Wisken

Mark is a managing director at Optima Cleaners, but copywriting has been one of his passions for many years. When he's not hunched over his keyboard, you'll find Mark exploring quaint bookstores for inspiration or sipping espresso at his favorite local café, always on the hunt for the next big idea to ignite a brand's success. With a pen in one hand and a coffee cup in the other, Mark continues to captivate audiences and breathe life into every brand he touches.

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