If you want to keep your carpets looking fresh and clean, then regular vacuuming is necessary. However, over time your carpets will begin to look tired and faded – even with regular vacuum cleaning. This is due to the fact that standard vacuums can only remove loose dirt and dust from the outer layers of the carpet. Deeply ingrained dirt which is trapped in the carpet cannot be removed by even the most efficient vacuum cleaner. In addition, liquid spills, if not attended to rapidly, can be slightly sticky when they dry and they will act as a dirt trap.
Obviously, one of the best ways to avoid having dirt trapped deep in your carpet is to vacuum on a regular basis so that the dirt is removed before it becomes deeply ingrained in the first place. What this means is that heavy traffic areas – hallways, the areas near doors etc. – should be vacuumed at least twice a week. If you have pets then you may want to do this three times a week. This should be reasonably effective in preventing excessive build up of dirt and dust.
Even with regular vacuuming, some ingress of dirt and dust into the deeper layers of your carpet is unavoidable.Accidental spills, heavy traffic, wet and muddy shoes will grind dirt and dust into the carpet and it will start to look shabby and worn out. Given that it’s not possible to remove this ingrained dirt by using a vacuum cleaner, some alternative cleaning method is necessary.
The most effective way of removing this trapped dirt is by the periodic use of a specialised carpet washer. This loosens any trapped dirt using water and a cleaning agent and then removes it. A deep cleanse using a carpet washer once every six months or so – perhaps more frequently if you have children and pets – will make a big difference to the appearance of your carpet and will also help to extend its life.
Carpet washers, much like standard vacuum cleaners, come in a variety of different forms with the most common being cylinder and upright. They are available to hire in most large supermarkets – but the cost of buying these has come down quite a bit, so that may make sense for you. If you have your own carpet washer it can also be used for cleaning up any accidental spills immediately – before there is an opportunity for a stain to become established.
Regardless of whether you opt to buy or rent, using a carpet washer to thoroughly clean your carpets on a regular basis will extend the carpet’s life and more than cover the hire cost or purchase price. Your carpets will look cleaner and be odour free. Especially important if you have young children of an age where they are prone to crawling around on the floor, the environment will be considerably more hygienic.
Find out how to prolong the life of your carpet using carpet washer – your carpets will look fresher and so will your house. Also learn how you can reduce the amount of time you spend on housework with a Tefal steam generator iron – you’ll wonder how you ever got by without one.