Thursday, March 20, 2008

Carpet 101 - Maintenance Tips for Home Owners

The season of holiday entertaining is over. But did the increased foot traffic and occasional spill wreak havoc on your carpets? If your floor is looking a little worse for wear, it may be time for a deep cleaning. But should you try to tackle the job on your own or bring in the professionals? The Carpet and Rug Institute suggests that carpet be professionally cleaned every 12 to 18 months, before it begins to show soiling. Regular vacuuming can keep your carpet looking like new, but deep extraction cleaning is necessary to remove ground-in dirt and stubborn stains.

If your carpet needs cleaning, first check with the manufacturer to see what it advises — some cleaning methods could void your carpet’s warranty. extra care. Also be aware that carpet made of natural fibers (e.g. wool, silk, cotton/rayon or plant fibers) can be damaged by certain cleaning methods and may require extra care.

If you choose to go the do-it-yourself route, be sure to vacuum thoroughly before cleaning. Choose cleaning agents that are made specifically for stain-resistant carpet, never use a generic household detergent or cleaner. Follow directions closely and pay special attention to instructions regarding dilution and application. After cleaning, open windows or bring in a fan to speed up the drying process.

If you’d prefer to leave this job to professional carpet cleaners, look for recommendations from your local carpet retailer or the Better Business Bureau. Most cleaning fees will be based on square footage, and there is usually no extra charge for furniture removal, pre-conditioning and routine stain removal. As always, be sure to obtain a written agreement before any work has begun.

This message is provided as a public service by The HBH Group, the premiere real estate group in Round Rock and Georgetown Texas. Contact us through our websites at: http://www.TheHBHGroup.com/ and http://www.TheHBHGroup.biz/ or call our offices at (512) 439-3772 or toll-free (877) 268-1877.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Nice tips. Now i know how to clean up my carpet wisely. thanks