When kids head back to school, a home’s carpeting can serve as a memory of summer fun. And, tough summer stains can be really tough to remove. “Shop Cop” and home furnishings expert Jennifer Litwin offers these tips:
- What kind of carpeting is the most difficult to clean? Olefin is an oil-based product which picks up stains quickly. North Shore Carpet Cleaning in Arlington Heights, Illinois (847-724-3638) recommends avoiding this type.
- If you get a stain, what should you do until the carpet cleaning service arrives? Pick up the excess, then blot with a damp, light-colored towel. Try using a 1/2 teaspoon of liquid dishwashing detergent with a damp towel to blot and remove the detergent.
- How many times per year should you clean your carpeting professionally? Not usually more than every 12-18 months, unless you get a bad stain.
- Can cleaning your carpeting “too often” ruin the carpeting? Cleaning a carpet more than twice a year can stretch out the fabric. However, stains must be removed quickly or the dirt will go to the bottom of the carpeting and be harder to remove later.
- Which are the hardest stains to remove? Anything with dyes, like popsicles, coffee and wine.
- In general, is it easier to clean wools or synthetics? It is usually easier to clean synthetics—they don’t absorb as much moisture as wool.
- On average, how long should good carpeting last for a family of, say 4? Ten years, but proper maintenance is key to maintaining clean carpeting. Vacuum as often as possible to keep the carpeting clean and free of loose dirt.
- Can I save money and get the same outcome with a steam cleaner that I rent for the day? For just $25-50 you can rent a steam cleaner, but many of these do-it-yourself cleaners don’t have as much power as a truck mount unit used by commercial carpeting cleaners. Many emit too much water or detergent, leaving the carpeting damp for too long, absorbing more dirt later. Also, the truck mounts generally have hotter water a home steam cleaner.
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