For the average homeowner, replacing carpet is a pretty big investment, so it makes good sense to extend the life of your existing flooring as long as possible. Dirt happens, though, and pet stains and muddy footprints (especially muddy footprints!) Even in sunny Santa Clarita carpet cleaning tips come in handy.
The first line of defense against wear and tear? Be diligent about vacuuming! Sure, you may not see a lot of dirt and grit on your light beige carpet, but make no mistake, it’s hiding in there by the bucketsful. Nothing wears carpet fibers out quicker than dirt and dust grating on them like sandpaper. And really, do you want that much grit under foot all the time? Vacuum at least once a week, more often if you have pets and/or children. High traffic areas should get vacuumed multiple times weekly. And don’t just give it “a lick and a promise.” Vacuuming properly takes a little time and effort. Make long, slow passes with the vacuum cleaner, going one way across a floor, then repeating the process at a right angle to the original pass. If you want to deodorize, sprinkle a little baking soda on the carpet before vacuuming.
No matter how careful you are, spills will eventually happen, but they don’t have to be a major problem. When it comes to stains, the best Santa Clarita carpet cleaning tips are to never let a spill sit on carpet and to use only white cloths or white paper towels. Using anything with dye in it risks transferring the color to the carpet. Without rubbing, blot the spill. (Avoid using brushes or bristles on carpet as they will fray it.) Keep blotting the stain firmly until no more transfers to the cloth. Lightly spray the stain with water or unflavored soda water. Blot the stain with more clean white cloths, repeating as necessary.
If you have to resort to carpet cleaner, you can try a commercial cleaner (test it on a hidden spot first to make sure it does not discolor your carpet) or you can make a solution of 2/3 cup of water to 1/3 cup of vinegar. Pet stains respond well to the addition of ¼ cup of hydrogen peroxide. Greasy stains may require a teaspoon of dish or laundry detergent in the water. If you do use soap, be sure and rinse it away as soap attracts dirt.
In addition to regular vacuuming, every 12 to 18 months carpets should receive a thorough cleaning. You can buy your own carpet cleaning system, and this might not be a bad investment if you have light colored carpet or your floors need more frequent cleaning because of children, pets, or other challenges. There are a couple of caveats to buying your own carpet cleaner, though. Steam cleaning systems can leave carpeting overly wet, causing damage and creating unpleasant odors. Dry extraction systems generally do a better job, but they are more expensive, as are the chemicals they require. Relying on professional cleaning may be your best option.
Following these Santa Clarita carpet cleaning tips will help keep your carpet looking fresh and stainfree!