How Carpet Cleaning Can Protect Your Family’s Health and Extend the Life of Your Carpet

Carpet Cleaning Orem keeps your home clean, but it can also protect your family’s health and extend the life of your carpet. Soil grinds away at carpet fibers shortening its lifespan, and a dirty carpet can harbor germs.

To prevent stains and protect your investment, professional carpet cleaners use a variety of techniques and safe kitchen ingredients that are effective for children and pets.

Carpets act as indoor air filters, trapping dirt, dust and other pollutants in the fibers. Regular cleaning removes these contaminants and helps keep indoor air quality healthy. This is particularly important for people with respiratory problems like asthma or allergies. Dirty carpets can trigger these conditions by clogging airways.

The most common way to clean carpets is by vacuuming. It’s best to do this two or three times per week, especially in high-traffic areas. A good vacuum cleaner with a brush roll attachment can help loosen and lift dry dirt particles. Vacuuming also helps prevent dirt buildup that can cause tangled fibers and premature wear.

Using the right cleaning solution is also essential. Some harsh or toxic chemicals can damage carpets or leave behind a sticky residue that attracts more dirt and makes the carpet look even worse. It’s important to choose a cleaner that is safe for children, pets and the environment. A reputable carpet cleaning company should offer non-toxic cleaners and sanitizers for the best results.

A dirty carpet can be a breeding ground for mold, mildew and bacteria, leading to health issues. A professional carpet cleaning company should use processes that eliminate moisture, such as hot water extraction cleaning, which is the gold-standard method for commercial facilities with significant foot traffic.

If facilities have heavy-duty commercial carpeting, they should consider installing a walk-off mat at every entry point to minimize the amount of soil and other contaminants that get tracked inside. This is a simple and inexpensive way to significantly reduce the amount of bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens that enter a building.

Another way to reduce the amount of dirt brought into a facility is to add a carpet-to-solid surface transition. This will limit the amount of dirt that moves from one surface to the other, and it will reduce the need for intensive cleaning.

It’s also a good idea to regularly vacuum and spot treat stains with a natural cleaning agent, such as baking soda and hydrogen peroxide. This solution is safe for children, pets and the environment, and it can be used on tough stains without damaging the carpet fibers.

Stain Removal

Stains and spills are the first thing people notice in a carpet, and if they’re left untreated they can create a negative impression of your facility. Using the right cleaning products and responding quickly to spots and spills will help reduce their impact.

Spots and spills that are treated in a timely fashion are easier to remove than those that are allowed to sit and soak into the carpet fibers. Treating a spot or spill as soon as it occurs will also prevent it from becoming a stain, which can be much harder and more expensive to remove.

For liquid spills, try to blot them up with a clean white cloth rather than rubbing as this can cause the stain to spread. If you have a fabric stain remover like Folex, apply the cleaner to the affected area and work it into the carpet or fabric with your finger tips. Then blot the area to lift away dirt, oils and the stain itself. The enzymatic action of the product will break down the stain’s composition so it can be removed without leaving behind any unwanted residue or causing further damage to your fabric.

If you’re unsure about which type of stain remover to use, ask for recommendations from your cleaning company or fabric supplier. A reputable firm should be able to provide you with a list of options that are safe for children, pets and the environment. Always test any new cleaning product on a small, hidden section of the fabric to make sure it won’t damage or discolor it.

If you’re not comfortable performing a thorough carpet cleaning on your own, or your regular vacuuming hasn’t done the trick, consider hiring professional cleaning services to remove deep-seated dirt, allergens and bacteria. Their industrial-strength equipment and specialized cleaning solutions can extend your carpet’s life and improve air quality for a healthier living or working environment. They can even help you maintain your warranty by providing regular cleaning services.

Odor Removal

Carpets are notorious for absorbing and holding onto odors, especially if your home has pets or smokers. But regular cleaning can help keep your home smelling fresh and clean, while also extending the life of your carpets. In fact, a deep cleaning process (steam cleaning, shampooing, or the hot carbonating extraction method used by Chem-Dry) is an excellent way to remove embedded dirt and odors.

Odors are caused by a variety of things, such as cooking smells, pet urine, smoke, and even mildew. If you have a musty or moldy carpet, it is essential to dry the area as quickly as possible to avoid the growth of mold and mildew. You can speed up the drying process by opening windows, using fans, and utilizing dehumidifiers.

If you aren’t comfortable cleaning your carpet yourself, it is a good idea to hire professional cleaners who have the proper equipment and expertise to tackle tough stains and odors. A professional cleaning can be as simple as a thorough vacuuming, or as complicated as deep cleaning and sanitizing. Ideally, you should establish a routine that includes both regular vacuuming and a deep cleaning session every 6-9 months.

The most common odor-causing culprits in carpet are food and beverages, wine, coffee, and soda. These odors can be hard to get rid of, but they can usually be eliminated by treating the stained area with an odor neutralizer. The neutralizer should be tested on an inconspicuous part of the carpet to ensure it won’t cause discoloration or damage the fibers.

Baking soda is a natural odor neutralizer and can be found in many household cleaners. You can mix a solution of equal parts water and vinegar with baking soda, apply it to the carpet, and then blot it with a white towel. You can also try club soda, which has a similar effect. The aerated carbonation lifts odor-causing substances out of the carpet fibers, but it may take a little longer to dry than the baking soda solution.

To prevent odors, you can use doormats at the entrances to your home and instruct family members and guests to wipe their shoes on them before entering carpeted areas. Additionally, a frequent grooming of your pets can significantly reduce the amount of hair and dander that gets stuck in carpet fibers.

Preventing Future Stains

Keeping carpets clean and stain free can be challenging with busy households, messy pets, and food and beverage spills. But with the right knowledge and regular maintenance, your carpets can last longer and look better. Here are some of the best practices to follow for preventing future stains and maintaining vibrant carpets:

Immediate Action

The key to avoiding permanent staining is immediate action. As soon as a stain occurs, blot the spot with a clean cloth or paper towel to absorb the liquid and prevent further damage. Avoid rubbing the spot, as this can spread the stain and make it much more difficult to remove. After blotting, a mild cleaning solution can be used to remove the remaining stain. A solution of one part dish soap and two parts hydrogen peroxide is recommended, though it is always good to test this on an inconspicuous area of the carpet before using.

Regular Vacuuming

Vaccuming is a simple yet crucial step in keeping your carpets clean. It is recommended to vacuum your carpets at least once a week, or more frequently in high traffic areas. Vacuuming removes dirt, dust, and other particles before they have the chance to settle into the fibers of your carpet, where they can become a major cause of staining and matting.

Pre-Treating

Pre-treating your carpet with a stain-repelling treatment before having it professionally cleaned can help reduce the likelihood of future staining and prolong the life of your carpets. Different stains require different solutions, as their chemical compositions interact differently with carpet fibers. For example, coffee stains are tannic in nature and must be treated differently than blood stains, which are acidic in nature.

Stain-Repelling Protection

Many professional cleaners can also apply a stain-resistant protective coating to your carpet after they are finished, which provides an extra layer of defense against dry soiling and accidental spills. These protective treatments are generally more effective than household solutions, as they have been specifically formulated to meet the needs of different types of carpet and stain substances. Oil-based stains, for instance, can be stubborn and resistant to water-based cleaning methods, while ink stains from pens or markers bond deeply into the fibers and often leave permanent marks.