Carpets: How Best To Look After Your Carpets
There is nothing that can replace daily vacuuming of your floors and carpets. If you wish to prolong the life of your carpet you must keep it safe from any dirt and grime. Even the best of carpets can deteriorate really fast because of dirt. Here are some more tips to help you in looking after and preserving your carpets.
Solid spills can be a major problem with carpets so blot them out with a clean cloth by pressing it down firmly to soak up the residues. Before blotting out you must scrape or scoop them away with a spoon or blunt object. You must be careful to preserve the color of the carpet. Also, while vacuuming do check under couches, along the sides and behind all furniture to keep your carpet clear of moths and beetles. This will also help you pick out dust mites and pet fur that settles down in difficult-to-reach corners and places. It will be of added comfort if some family members have problems with allergies.
Worried about the rancid smell that affects carpets because of food, animal vomit etc? Try using soda water. Alternatively, you can take a little bicarbonate of soda and rub in in to the affected area with a soft and damp cloth. You can pour soda water/mineral water in case there are liquid spills that have to be taken care of. The bubbles from the soda will prevent the spillage from embedding into the carpet and you can blot it out with a clean piece of tissue or cloth.
While taking care of carpets ensure that you don't forget to look after the floor. You can use cornflour to take care of heavy grease that may have stuck to the floor. Otherwise, to remove dirt and other forms of grime from the floor with bicarbonate of soda. Leave this for about half hour before using the vacuum cleaner.
When it comes to candle wax on carpets you will again need to scrape most of it by using a blunt object. After scraping cover the area with a tissue or blotting paper and brown wrapping paper. Use as many sheets as you need for the blotting. Finally, when you can blot no more, hold a heated iron and press down the paper on the carpet. An alkaline product like a laundry detergent should never be used on a wool carpet.
When it comes to red-wine stains, mop the liquid first then pour white wine and let it seep into the carpet for about 10 minutes. Later, use a clean cloth and warm water to wipe the area of the carpet affected by the spill.
Stains aside do not let furniture stand on your carpet for long at one place only. This will create holes and embedding marks spoiling the carpet. Also, do not allow family members or guests to walk on to the carpet with outdoor shoes. It will destroy your carpet if you do not get strict about this rule. In cases of major stains you will have to get some professional aid though.
Annie is an expert furniture and interior design writer. Her current area of specialism is bed linen, chaise longue and side table