Choosing to carpet your home's floors is a big decision. You want that extra comfort, but you also know that the flooring material comes with its downsides. Carpet fibers tend to trap dirt, grime, odors, and contaminants that can cause bodily harm. These contaminants, often stemming from water or fire damage, are released each time you step on the carpet.
If you installed your carpets years ago, it’s probably high time for a thorough cleaning. Here are five carpet cleaning tips that can improve your health and make your home feel nicer.
Steam Clean Your Floors
Following a house fire, you’ll likely be left with smoke odor and contamination throughout the house. Much of this will settle into the carpet. There, the smoke contamination leads to respiratory illness, irritation, and other serious health concerns.
If you want a clean, odor-free carpet, consider regular steam cleaning. You will have to rent or purchase a steam cleaner from a home improvement store. The heat from the steam is designed to completely eradicate contaminants and grime from the carpet.
Utilize Vacuum Attachments on Your Carpet
A vacuum cleaner is a household tool that every homeowner should have. Even with one in the closet, most don’t use the included attachments. If you don’t, you’re missing out. These attachments, such as an extension or flexible crevice attachment, can really rid your carpet of nasty buildups.
For example, the soot that collects in tough-to-reach spots after a house fire can be easily cleaned with an extension or crevice device. Even a dust brush is useful for certain parts of the home.
Look Into Spray Treatments
You love your carpet. Your love your pets, your children, and that smelly food your significant other always eats. Unfortunately, your carpet doesn’t enjoy these things as you do. Over time, these odors will settle into the fibers and cause respiratory problems for everyone.
If you’re tired of lingering smells, consider spray treatments. You can purchase carpet sprays from home improvement stores, or make your own using baking soda, water, white vinegar, and essential oils.
Invest in Doormats or Area Rugs to Protect Your Carpet
Much of the contamination in our homes comes from the outdoors. We track in mud, pests, and airborne bacteria on our shoes and clothing. To protect your carpet, consider investing in doormats or area rugs as proactive solutions. These items can be strategically placed to ensure no one tracks in grime or bugs.
Hire a Specialist to Clean Your Floors
A quality carpet cleaning company will cost anywhere from $300 to $500 for a single visit to your home. You’re likely wincing at that price, but keep in mind that the cleaning is an investment in the overall health of your home and family.
Professional carpet cleaners use tools and techniques that the average homeowner has likely never used. Experts can eradicate foul odors, rid your floors of contamination, and leave your house sparkling clean. It’s a worthwhile investment, especially if your floors haven’t seen a good cleaning in many years.
To ensure you’re enjoying refreshing air in your home, consider professional carpet cleaning to stop airborne contaminants and odors. Call Restoration 1 of Central Maryland.