If you have area rugs and routinely have them professionally cleaned, you might be wondering if that’s sufficient. While regular professional cleanings are crucial for the health and longevity of your rugs, there are additional steps you can take between cleanings. Here’s what our area rug cleaning experts in Santa Cruz County would like you to know.
Plan to Vacuum Regularly
We frequently speak with homeowners who claim they vacuum regularly, yet struggle to specify how often that actually is. As the saying goes, “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Therefore, establishing a vacuuming schedule for your rugs and carpets is crucial to ensure the task is completed as needed.
Stop Dirt Being Tracked Into Your Home
We recommend vacuuming your rugs at least once a week. However, if you have pets or children, or if your rug is situated in a high-traffic area such as the entryway or hallway, you may need to vacuum even more frequently.
As you can imagine, one of the top ways that dirt enters your home is on your shoes (similarly, the other is on your pets). Thus, one of the best and easiest things you can do for the health of your rugs is to not wear shoes inside your house. If you are used to wearing shoes in the home, this can be tricky to implement at first. Place a shoe rack near each entrance of your home to remind you and your family. You can also invest in house slippers for everyone. Just make sure not to wear them outside, as that defeats the purpose! If you absolutely must wear shoes inside, place a mat at every entrance and be sure to wipe your shoes each time you come in.
Wear Socks
While shoes can damage your carpets, socks are actually beneficial. Our feet naturally produce sweat and oil, which can harm the fibers and dyes of rugs over time. Wearing socks or house slippers indoors helps protect your carpets from these substances. Just ensure that whatever you wear is clean! It’s also a good idea to replace your socks after wearing them with shoes.
Rearrange Your Furniture
Many people periodically rearrange their furniture to refresh the atmosphere of their home. This practice not only enhances feng shui but also alters the flow of movement within your space. By changing the layout, you can distribute foot traffic more evenly, reducing wear and tear on your rugs instead of concentrating it in one area. If rearranging isn’t an option, consider rotating your rugs to prevent accelerated wear in high-traffic spots, such as in front of furniture.
Dab Up Spills Right Away
Accidental spills are among the most frequent causes of spots and stains on rugs. If you spill something that could cause a stain, promptly take a white cloth or paper towel and absorb as much of the excess liquid as possible. Use gentle pressure and a dabbing motion rather than scrubbing, as scrubbing can push the stain deeper and damage the fibers of the rug.
These tips will help keep your rugs clean and healthy in between area rug cleanings from Chem-Dry of Santa Cruz County. If it’s time to schedule that regular rug cleaning in Santa Cruz County, give us a call at (831) 688-4858 and we’ll be happy to help!