Carpet Cleaning Tips for the Homeowner

Rejoice with us in the fact that you can have clean gorgeous carpets for many years.

Carpets harbor dust mites and bacteria that will lead to a soiled appearance if you’re not on top of your game. Read on for some easy carpet cleaning tips for the homeowner!

Vacuuming

Carpets should be vacuumed at least once per week. High traffic areas should be addressed 2-3 times a week. Vacuuming extends your carpet’s life by preventing the buildup of dirt and particles that cut deep into your carpet’s fibers. It’s also a good opportunity to freshen up the carpet pile. Once a month, be sure to vacuum around baseboards, air vents and hard-to-reach places with your attachment tool.

Carpet powders may help mask odors in your carpet, but you can save yourself a few bucks by whipping up your own homemade carpet freshener. For starters, you can keep your carpets smelling fresh by simply adding odor-fighting baking soda to your vacuum bag.

For a more pronounced fragrance, mix 1 cup baking soda and 1 cup cornstarch with a few drops (no more than 5) of your favorite essential oil. Sprinkle on your carpet and allow it to sit for 20 minutes, then vacuum. Or you could combine a cup of crushed herbs such as lavender or rosemary to 1 teaspoon of baking soda for a floral fragrance.

Take your time and let your vacuum do the work, especially if you have plush carpet where dirt and dust can easily get cozy and in high traffic zones. Run your vacuum over each section several times.

Treat Stains Fast

When a spot, spill, or stain happens, it’s best to act fast. Removing the stain from your carpet right after it happens, while it’s still wet, is the best thing you can do to keep your carpet in tip-top shape. If you wait too long, the liquid from the stain will begin to sink deep into your carpets. When this happens, the stain reaches the roots of the carpet and will then soak and stain your padding underneath the carpeting.

When a stain reaches the pad it can be difficult to completely remove on your own. However, on occasion, when a stain heavily soils the carpet padding the stain can resurface after a professional cleaning.

No More Shoes

Think about your day… where have you been? Maybe you parked your car next to a bird’s favorite tree and the parking lot is covered in droppings, or maybe you took your furry friend to the dog park next door. Imagine, those places and more that the bottom of your shoes have touched. Yuck!

Wearing your shoes into your home can track bacteria and toxins from the parking lot, dog park, and more! They can quickly and easily pick up a lot of gross stuff! Check out our Stop Wearing Shoes in Your Home! blog to learn more about what in general is living on the bottom of your shoes.

When it’s Time for a Deep Carpet Clean

It’s inevitable that every carpet will see the day when vacuuming no longer has the sole power of beautiful upkeep. If your carpet has become matted over the majority of the space, feels sticky, has changed in color from its original state (check under your furniture to determine the original color), or releases dust if you apply pressure to it, it’s definitely time for a professional carpet cleaning.

It’s best to hire a professional for a truly deep clean! And lucky for you, Woodard is here to help! The only method for properly cleaning carpet is Woodard’s 12-step carpet cleaning process.

About Woodard Cleaning & Restoration

Woodard Cleaning & Restoration was founded in 1946 by Earl and Nancy Woodard. Located in St. Louis, Missouri, Woodard services the greater metro area (Illinois, St. Charles County, Jefferson County, St. Louis County, and many more). Woodard is proud to serve as the preferred provider for cleaning & restoration services. Our cleaning services include carpet, hard surface, furniture, and rug cleaning for both residential and commercial properties. We also provide water, fire, board-up, storm, and smoke restoration services for residential and commercial clients. For information or questions submit a form online or call us at (314) 227-3932.

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Updated 8/10/2020