If you take care of your carpet, it will take care of you in return. There is nothing better than having a clean, fluffy and perfectly well maintained carpet. But achieving that is something else entirely! There are a lot of misconceptions out there when it comes to carpet cleaning. And a lot of the time, these result in unfortunate carpet cleaning mistakes. So we have released a list of the five most common carpet cleaning mistakes that we see. Hopefully this list can save you some stress in the future!
#1 One Of The Most Common Carpet Cleaning Mistakes Is Scrubbing At A Stain
Of all the carpet cleaning mistakes we see, this one is the most common by far. And it’s pretty easy to see why. If you have just spilt half a glass of red wine on the carpet, chances are you will straight down there to scrub it up as fast as possible. But doing that will actually cause more harm than good. When you use a scrubbing motion on your carpet, it actually forces the stain deeper into the carpet fibres. This even happens with paper towel or soft cloths. What you need to do instead is gently dab at the stain with an absorbent cloth or paper towel. That will slowly lift the stain from the carpet instead of forcing it further in.
#2 Not All Products Are Suitable For Your Carpet: Test Them First To Avoid Carpet Cleaning Mistakes
Of course, dabbing at a stain won’t always remove it entirely. Most of the time, you’re going to need to turn to a carpet-cleaning product for some help. But it’s important to remember that not all carpet-cleaning products are suitable for your carpet. In fact, some might have an adverse effect, such as discolouration. And that’s where this tip comes into its own: always test a new carpet-cleaning product on an inconspicuous area of carpet first. If you apply it and it causes some discolouration, you know not to use it in the future.
#3 Leaving Spills For Too Long Is Another One Of The Common Carpet Cleaning Mistakes
In terms of carpet cleaning mistakes, this one is usually accidental. In most cases, you will be straight onto a carpet stain if you see it occur. But if you don’t, and the stain gets left for too long, it can settle in permanently. So what can you do to avoid this? Firstly, always address carpet stains immediately when you see them. And secondly, you should make a point of inspecting your carpet about once a week. This shouldn’t take long, and it will help you identify any new stains that might have flown beneath the radar.
#4 Water And Carpet Cleaning Mistakes Go Hand In Hand: Using Too Much Water Can Make Things Worse
Water is one of your best friends when it comes to cleaning stains, but it is also the source of some carpet cleaning mistakes. Using a tiny amount of water can help loosen stains. When used in conjunction with a good carpet-cleaning product, it can be really helpful. But if you use too much water, you can damage the adhesive that holds your carpet down. You can also encourage the growth of mould. And, in some cases, you can actually loosen the stain so much that it spreads outwards, creating a larger patch of discolouration. The key with water is to use it sparingly!
#5 As Far As Long Term Carpet Cleaning Mistakes Go, Poor Maintenance Is One Of The Most Damaging
Finally, let’s talk about one of the more long-term carpet cleaning mistakes: poor maintenance. Carpet maintenance is vital and by maintenance, we simply mean a good weekly vacuum. Vacuuming your carpet is very important. If you don’t vacuum regularly, small particles of dirt and grit can penetrate the fibres and damage them. This will reduce your carpet’s longevity and render it more susceptible to staining. If you want the best carpet cleaning advice and services, we recommend getting a professional clean at least once a year. This will keep your carpet in the best possible shape for a long time to come!
