Time to Call in the Carpet Cleaners?

Carpet is one of the most popular flooring options in the country. Its affordability, comfort, and easy installation make it a good choice for many situations; however, if there's one universal complaint about carpet as a flooring material it is this: it is far more difficult to keep clean than its competitors. Don't let carpet maintenance deter you from installing this versatile, beautiful, and comfortable material! The following carpet cleaning techniques are good for every homeowner to know, and will keep your carpets looking as good as possible for as long as possible!

Carpet Cleaning Methods: Vacuuming to Extend Life and Luster
Various carpet cleaning methods are used for specific stains and situations, but when you're trying to extend the lifespan of your carpet, the most effective thing you can do is vacuum frequently. The dirt and debris that settles on your flooring (even if you take your shoes off at the door) is a killer! Remember, those same particles are tough and jagged enough to scratch hardwood surfaces; when embedded in carpet, these particles actually cut and sever the fibers, causing your carpet to age prematurely. Vacuuming gets rid of a very significant portion of these particles, and when done frequently (at least once a week), you'll not only have a better looking carpet, but one that will last longer, too!

Deep Carpet Cleaning Techniques
Another very important carpet cleaning technique is deep cleaning. Deep cleaning can be done in several ways, but the most popular (and often considered most effective) deep carpet cleaning method is "steam" cleaning. Other carpet cleaning techniques are also very effective when done by professionals, and carry certain benefits that steam cleaning does not. Dry extraction, for example, uses a minimal amount of moisture so that your carpet can dry quickly; this reduces the chances of mold, mildew, or other damage that can be caused by leaving a carpet too moist for too long.

No matter which deep carpet cleaning method is used, to get the best results, deep cleaning should always be performed by a professional. Not only do professional carpet cleaners have access to better equipment and the most effective cleaning products, they have more practice than the average homeowner. This means that they can get the job done faster and get better results than just about any homeowner using rented equipment could ever hope to. Add that to the fact that most carpet cleaning service rates are actually competitive when compared to the cost of doing it yourself, and the argument for hiring a pro gets even better!

Carpet Cleaning Methods for Stain Removal
While tons of carpet cleaning techniques are available online and in magazines or books, there is (and will probably always be) a lot of debate on which of these either homegrown or commercially propagated carpet cleaning methods is the best. The cleaning product you use is, in actuality, far less important than the time between when a spill occurs and when it is attended to. Cleaning up spills as soon as they occur is a far more effective practice for avoiding permanent stains than any one product could ever be!

If a stain already exists and has been left unattended for weeks, months, or years, there's certainly no harm in trying to remove it by rubbing it with vinegar, baking soda and water, ammonia, or one of the many stain removing products available at your local grocery store. However, if you really want an existing stain removed, one of your best bets is to simply have a professional do it for you. A single, professional deep cleaning at least once every 18 months is typically recommended for most varieties of carpet, but there are many benefits to having this task performed once or twice a year. The more frequently you deep clean, the less dirt and debris can build up in your carpet, the better it will look and the longer it will last. Since most carpet cleaning services also offer stain removal along with re-stretching, burn removal, and seam stitching, a bi-annual visit from these professionals is probably the easiest and best carpet cleaning method out there!