Top carpet maintenance tips for the colder months

Collaborative Post 

One of the main reasons why people choose to install carpeting in their homes is the convenience of always stepping on soft surfaces and warm surfaces, which is a complete delight, especially early in the mornings. Carpets don’t really go out of style, because let’s face it, they can be found in so many different patterns and materials, that the carpet making industry can easily adjust to whatever trends there are currently. These floor coverings even act as a layer of insulation and the denser the pile is, the easier it would be for warmth to be trapped inside.

As  the leaves begin to fall down, people start to order pumpkin spice lattes and you start to finally feel that crisp in the air, it becomes apparent that the warm summer weather has said its goodbyes and the colder part of the year is upon us. When a permanent mental note to self says: Keep warm!, you know that not only is it time for a wardrobe change but it’s also time to get back on the home cleaning grind. Since people start spending more time indoors as the weather gets colder, it’s vital that a regular cleaning process is established.

Although it’s important that you don’t neglect the condition of your carpets all year long, one should definitely put more effort into that household chore during the colder months, because the more you prefer lounging on the sofa, instead of bracing the harsh weather outside, the easier it is for filth to build up.

Carpet upkeep tips for the winter

In autumn and winter you don’t open your windows as often as you did when it was warmer, which disables proper ventilation – moisture becomes the unwanted guest, which keeps reminding everyone of its presence. Walking with your wet and muddy shoes is a total no-go but your dog sure knows how to break the rules once they come back from their daily walk. Dust piles up way easier than expected and stains are unavoidable, especially when you have kids and pets, who still find ways to have fun, while stuck inside.

But don’t lose hope! There are ways you can improve the sanitary state of your carpet. All it takes is a couple of staple cleaning tools and determination.

Before you start applying any of the following advice, always check what the material of your carpet is! Sure, general cleaning tasks are suitable for the majority of the carpets, however the frequency of each procedure varies depending on the characteristics of the carpet fibres.

Vacuum cleaning

It would be hard to imagine cleaning without the help of a vacuum machine. Even if you’re not that good at maintaining your home clean, the bare minimum is to at least vacuum the floors. This procedure is vital not only for removing any build up dirt and dust but also to rejuvenate the fluffiness of the carpet. It is recommended that you vacuum clean once a week, but if there is higher traffic indoors, you should do it more frequently. Don’t ever forget that step, once it becomes a habit any home’s appearance will be instantly improved.

Check for draft marks

Don’t ignore those dark lines in the edges of your carpet, because if you neglect them for too long, they will evolve into large and unpleasant looking blemishes. The drought or as many refer to them “draft lines” are a result of bad air circulation indoors, which is very common during the colder months. Carpet fibres trap contaminated air and moisture, which is how draft marks are created. Clean the edges of the carpets with a crevice tool and don’t forget to do the same under doors!

Apply stain protector

Opting for an extra layer of protection is going to save your carpets, especially if you have pets. Invest in Scotchgard, if you want to prevent severe staining. The agent will prevent spills to stain the fibres and therefore grant you enough time to clean what has settled on the surface.

Deep cleaning

If you’re not prepared to give your carpets the deep clean they’ll need, in order to sustain their material characteristics, then maybe this type of floor covering isn’t for you. Vacuuming won’t be enough to keep any carpet fresh and vibrant looking. The grime is building up every day and you have to give your carpets a nice deep clean every two months, which will not only remove all the embedded filth but it will also prolong the lifespan of the carpeting. Buy or rent a steam cleaner – this will be a game changer. Or if you can afford it, hire a professional carpet cleaning company.

Proactive ways to make carpet cleaning easier

• Stop walking with your shoes inside! – Every time you forget to take your shoes off, tens of thousands of bacteria enter your home. And during the colder months you always bring in mud and all other kinds of loose dirt. Once you start leaving your shoes at the entry or even outside, your carpets won’t trap so much grime, which ends up spreading all over the place.
• Don’t allow your dog inside until you clean their paws!
• Clean your porch frequently! – Sweep the loose dirt every chance you get, that way no filth will enter your home every time you step inside.
• Invest in a reliable vacuum cleaner, which will use energy efficiently while suctioning every bit of filth stuck in the carpet fibres.

Conclusion

Preparing for the colder months shouldn’t include only shopping for warmer clothes and festive Christmas decorations ahead of time. Everyone is capable of making small changes at their home, which would elevate not only the hygiene level, but also the overall atmosphere. And if you can manage your cleaning tasks in a more efficient manner, it would be a no brainer to do so. Being more cautious and conscious about the amount of filth gathering all over your personal space should be on top of mind all year long.