If you struggle to keep carpet clean and in great shape, you probably feel like you’re never doing enough around the house. However, there is such a thing as being over-zealous when it comes to keeping your carpet clean and protected. If you bring your rug in for service at the best commercial cleaning omaha establishments, you’re already on the right track. But what about cleaning at home? Could you possibly be doing something that’s hurting your rug without even knowing it? It’s entirely possible. If you think your rug is suffering from poor home care, here are some mistakes to be aware of.
1. Not Cleaning a Spill Quickly Enough
When a spill or accident happens, you don’t have any time to waste. Not only will failing to clean a stain quickly result in long-lasting damage, but it could also spell disaster for the life of your rug. The longer a stain, especially a wet or acidic stain, sits on your rug untreated, the easier it will be for mold and bacteria to find a home in your rug. This could end up severely damaging your rug while causing wider health risks for you and your family. If you see a stain, don’t fool around: Clean it up as quickly as you can.
2. Not Doing a Patch Test
Before you clean, you need to make sure that your cleaning liquid or powder of choice isn’t going to result in disaster for your rug. Even if you think you’re using a totally neutral cleaning product, you truly never know how your rug’s going to handle it. That’s why you should always do a small patch test before applying cleaner to your rug. If you have any swatches left over, this is a good use for them. Be especially careful when applying heavy-duty cleaners like bleach or ammonia.
3. Vacuuming on the Wrong Setting
Vacuuming surely can’t hurt your rug, right? Wrong. While it’s good to go over your rug with a vacuum at least every week, it’s not going to do you much good if you’re using the wrong setting. Many homeowners don’t realize that their vacuum is adjustable. If your setting is too low, you could damage your rug’s base and fibers. Go too high, and you could miss a whole layer of dirt.
4. Using Too Much Product
Before you pile on the cleaning solution, consider that the wetter your rug is, the more susceptible it is to mold, mildew, and bacteria buildup. Keep your rug mostly dry when treating stains, always being sure to dab up the remaining cleaning solution with a paper towel or dry cloth.
5. Cleaning with the Wrong Cloth
Speaking of cloths, don’t make the mistake of using something that could end up making your rug look even worse. If you use a cheap cloth that’s dyed, you could end up spreading the color onto your rug, creating an even harder-to-treat stain. Even if you’re cleaning a darker-colored rug, you want to be wary of this. For best results, stick to white cotton or microfiber cloths.