Carpets are used in almost every household, and they add a cozy touch to the living area.
However, spilling your coffee on a busy morning or your cat shedding its fur are unavoidable situations. Since carpets are made of fibres, all the fur, dust and gunk accumulate between the fibre strands.
So, if you decide to clean the carpet, here are a few mistakes you should avoid.
4 Mistakes To Avoid While Cleaning Carpets
1. Getting The Carpet Too Wet
Oversaturating the carpets can result in the underfelt being wet. Since the thick material often does not dry easily, it can lead to mould growth and rot. Apart from the underfelt, getting the top layer of the carpet overly wet can damage the fibres and lead to discoloration.
Instead, you can use a wrung-out towel or sponge to clean the carpet efficiently. Ideally, the sponge or cloth should not be dripping wet. However, if you accidentally wet the carpet excessively, you can use a dry cloth or paper towel to blot away excess water.
2. Rough Scrubbing Instead Of Blotting
Though it may seem like the best way to get rid of all the gunk on your carpet, scrubbing can cause a lot of carpet fibre damage. If you use a hard-bristled brush, the scrubbing can untwist the carpet fibres, causing the carpet to fray.
Aside from fraying, scrubbing can also push the dirt further into the fibres, making the carpet much harder to clean. Instead of scrubbing, blot the marks on the carpets with a cloth or a sponge. Gentle rubbing is also recommended to get any persistent stains off the carpets.
3. Using The Wrong Carpet Cleaner
Using an incorrect cleaning solution is one of the most common carpet cleaning mistakes. If the product is not meant for your carpet type, it can lead to irreversible damage.
Make sure you get the right cleaning solution based on the material of your carpet. If you’re unsure about what type of fibres your carpet has, opt for an all-purpose carpet cleaner.
4. Not Conducting A Spot Test
It is important to conduct a spot test, especially when and if you are cleaning a brand-new carpet using a new cleaning solution. Testing on a smaller patch will let you know if the cleaning solution is right for your carpet. If things take a wrong turn, only a tiny portion of your carpet gets damaged instead of your carpet as a whole.
So, before cleaning the carpet with a product, try it on a hidden patch beneath a door or under the sofa. Give the solution a couple of hours to check for any discolouration or damage.
Final Words
Your carpet can be the hangout spot for various germs, bacteria and other substances. This is why cleaning your carpet thoroughly and regularly is important to stay healthy and safe. Keeping the points mentioned above in mind can help you avoid common mistakes people usually make when they clean their carpets at home.
In case of a permanent stain on your carpet that you cannot remove, contact a professional carpet cleaning service immediately.