Carpets are so popular in the U.S. that they account for almost half, or 48%, of the country’s flooring market.

Carpets, after all, add beauty, style, and thermal insulation to any room. They also help reduce noise and boost safety by cushioning slips and falls.  

Considering all those benefits, you’d want to ensure your carpets can last for as long as possible. One way to do that is to clean them properly.

Below, we’ve listed our top carpet cleaning tips to help you get started, so read on.

1. Clean Spills and Fresh Stains Immediately

When spills occur, they first sit on the surface of your carpets, slowly making their way down. Over time, their components react with the textile, causing it to change colors.

So, the longer you let spills sit on your carpets, the more likely the textile fibers will get discolored.

Thus, one of the best home cleaning tips to abide by is to address carpet spills as soon as they occur. Likewise, if you have pets, which over 90 million U.S. families do, clean up their pee or poop immediately.

2. Use Plain White Towels or Rags

Always use plain white paper towels or rags to clean spills and fresh stains on your carpets. The dye used in colored ones can run and transfer to your floor coverings.

Start from the outermost part of the spills and remove as much of the liquids as possible. Keep dabbing until the paper towels or rags can’t absorb any more.

Next, spray the stained area with clean water and blot it with fresh paper towels or rags. Repeat until the stain disappears.

3. Use Baking Soda for Stain and Odor Removal

Baking soda’s powdered form allows it to absorb moisture and odors. It can even dissolve organic compounds, including grease and dirt. That’s why it’s a perfect tool for cleaning spills and pet accidents on carpets.

To clean carpets with baking soda, sprinkle liberal amounts of the powder on the stained area. If you’re trying to remove non-greasy or dried stains, spray the powder with enough warm water to dampen it. Then, allow it to sit for at least three hours before vacuuming.

To remove greasy stains, cover them with a thick layer of baking soda. Wait at least overnight before vacuuming the powder.

4. Declutter Before Deep-Cleaning Carpets

Eliminating clutter before vacuuming ensures every inch of your carpet gets cleaned. Doing so also prevents items from getting lodged in and clogging up your vacuum cleaner.

Also, remember that clutter serves as an obstruction. Even worse, it can raise your risk of injuries, including those from slips, trips, and falls.

5. Hire Professional Cleaners

Professional cleaners use steam cleaning to deep-clean carpets, rugs, upholstery, tiles, and furniture. This method involves creating low-pressure steam to remove unwanted substances. It effectively eliminates dirt, grease, oil, and even pet stains.

Besides, if you hire professional cleaners, you can ask them to clean your entire home, from top to bottom. That means your carpets won’t be the only ones to get some TLC; so will the contents of every other room in your house.

Follow These Carpet Cleaning Tips Today

Please remember that today’s carpets cost hundreds to thousands of dollars. Their average selling prices even increased by 7% in 2021!

That’s all the more reason to follow our carpet cleaning tips. That way, you can give your current carpets the TLC they deserve, helping them last longer.

If you’re ready to delegate carpet and home cleaning tasks to pros, Sally’s Maid Service is happy to assist! Connect with us now to schedule your home cleaning service.