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CRI Blog

Easy Carpet Cleaning Tips for Your Home

4/4/2013

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Carpet provides good traction, absorbs noises, and saves homeowners money because it naturally insulates a room. And, contrary to popular misconceptions, carpet that is cleaned regularly is fine for people with allergies, and even asthma.  The best practice for keeping carpets consistently clean is having a regular maintenance routine.

Refreshing carpets after a special event, season of tough use, or simply any time of year is easy with these tips from the experts at the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), a national carpet trade association that focuses on science-based research, customer advocacy and environmental initiatives.
 
Create a Vacuum Schedule for Your Carpet

Have you ever wondered if vacuuming really makes a difference? Removing soil when it’s on the surface, before it gets tramped down, is the first and most important step in carpet maintenance. Use slow, repetitive motions that overlap (about four swipes), ensuring you get right up to the edges where dust, pollen and pet dander like to accumulate.
 
How often do you need to vacuum? That answer may surprise you. Generally once a week with a CRI-certified vacuum is a good place to start, but depending on how frequently the area is used, you’ll likely want to do it more often. For example, high-traffic or pet areas should be vacuumed daily, medium-traffic areas require about twice a week and light-traffic areas can be done once a week. Just as you wouldn’t wear a shirt over and over again without washing it, you don’t want to go too long between vacuuming your carpets.

Treat Carpet Stains the Correct Way
 
Up to 98 percent of carpet is manufactured in the United States, and most is made to be stain-resistant. However, junior’s ice cream cone drips and Fido’s dirty paws can leave marks that may seem almost too difficult to remove. No matter how hard you try to prevent them, stains do happen, so it’s important to act quickly. Scoop up solids and blot liquids with a dry, white cloth or paper towel, starting at the edge of the spot moving toward the center. Do not scrub – it can damage carpet and spread the mess.

Next, treat the spot with a CRI-tested and approved carpet cleaning solution. If you don’t have one on hand, plain water often works better than untested carpet cleaners. For wine or chocolate stains, try mixing 1/4 teaspoon clear dishwashing liquid with one cup warm water. Avoid laundry detergent which can cause permanent damage, such as a change in color. For coffee or tea stains, try mixing 1 cup white vinegar with 1 cup water. For ink stains, apply rubbing alcohol to a cloth and blot. Have a wax spill? Cover the spot with a clean brown paper bag or heavy brown paper and apply low heat from an iron. The paper will absorb the wax as it melts.
 
Call in the Carpet Cleaning Pros

Just like you visit the dentist to get your teeth cleaned regularly, your carpets also need attention from a trained professional. To keep your carpets looking great and lasting for years to come, you should get them professionally deep cleaned every 12 to 18 months with a CRI Seal of Approval Service Provider.
Find one near you by visiting www.carpet-rug.org.
 
If you’ve never had your carpets professionally cleaned, now is a great time to start before the holidays arrive. Start by getting bids and don’t be afraid to ask questions. A good carpet cleaning should include vacuuming, a pre-spray and routine spot removal. Many won’t charge for furniture removal either.
 
Whether you want to get in a better habit with routine carpet maintenance or you simply want to refresh your carpet for the change of seasons or a special event, these tips will keep your carpet and home looking wonderful today and long into the future.

Download a free copy here.

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  • Carpet for the Home
    • Benefits of Carpet and Rugs
    • Indoor Air Quality
    • Environmental Benefits
    • Selecting the Right Carpet >
      • Color
      • Carpet and Rug Construction
      • Selecting the Right Cushion
      • Green Label Plus For Indoor Air Quality
    • Installation Tips
    • Cleaning and Maintenance >
      • Cleaning Essentials >
        • Vacuuming
        • Cleaning Spots and Spills
        • Do-It-Yourself Extracting
      • Seal of Approval Program
      • Hiring a Carpet Cleaning Professional
    • Beauty of Carpet
  • Carpet for Business
    • Benefits of Carpets and Rugs
    • Carpet and Health
    • Green Building and The Environment >
      • NSF/ANSI 140 Standard
      • Sustainable Carpet Product Platform
    • Specifying the Right Carpet >
      • Carpet and Rug Construction
      • Dyeing and Color Selection
      • Size Options
      • Quality and Performance Requirements
      • Insulation
      • Sound Absorption
      • Cushion
    • Facility-Specific Considerations
    • Carpet Installation Information >
      • Installation Standards and Methods
    • Cleaning and Maintenance >
      • Cleaning Essentials >
        • Vacuuming
        • Cleaning Spots and Spills
        • Do-It-Yourself Extracting
      • Seal of Approval Program
      • Hiring a Carpet Cleaning Professional
  • Testing Programs
    • Green Label Plus >
      • Carpet, Cushion, and Adhesive >
        • GLP Carpet Products
        • GLP Cushion Products
        • GLP Adhesive Products
      • Participant Documents
    • Seal of Approval Program >
      • Certifying a Product
      • Cleaning Solutions >
        • Cleaning Solution Testing Criteria
        • Certified Cleaning Solutions
      • Deep Cleaning Extractors and Systems >
        • Deep Cleaning Extractor Testing Criteria
        • Certified Deep Cleaning Extractors
        • Deep Cleaning System Testing Criteria
        • Certified Deep Cleaning Systems
      • Interim Maintenance Systems >
        • Interim Maintenance System Testing Criteria
        • Certified Interim Maintenance Systems
      • Vacuums >
        • Vacuum Testing Criteria
        • Certified Vacuums
    • Seal of Approval Service Providers >
      • Becoming a Certified Service Providers
      • Service Provider Online Application
      • Certified Service Providers
  • Industry Resources
    • Research and Resources
    • Downloadable Fact Sheets
    • Technical Bulletins and Papers
    • Installation Standards
    • Continuing Education Resources
    • Government Affairs >
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