Myths about carpet care and how to look after it

There are several untruths and myths about looking after your carpet. Look after a good quality carpet and it will keep looking good for 20 years.

1. Vacuuming the carpet once a week is enough

Every carpet manufacturer will recommend that you clean or vacuum your carpet daily. If you’re cynical (like me) you’ll probably think that it’s overkill and that this is a nice excuse for them to use when the carpet wears after 5 years.

The reason that they should be cleaned daily is that even the air contains particles such as dust industrial contaminants, animal hair, pollen, dead skin, and dust mites. Once indoors, gravity pulls them down onto your carpet. This is happening constantly. And these particles gradually breakdown the carpet fibre and cause wear.

So, technically – yes. The more often you vacuum the better. The added bonus is that your indoor air quality should improve. Because every time you walk on the carpet, it releases the contaminants back into the air!

2. The carpet manufacturer instructions tell me not to get the carpet wet. So should I be getting a carpet steam clean?

Absolutely - yes. You should be. Professional, industrial carpet cleaning machines is the number one, most effective method of carpet cleaning. It is really carpet pressure wash. The machine forces hot water and detergent into the carpet, sucking up the solution and dirt with a high powered vacuum. This happens in one cycle. It can remove 70% to 90% of the moisture used in the process instantly.

The remaining moisture dries very quickly. Usually within 2 to 6 hours.

What the carpet manufacturer is guarding against are floods – obviously, liquid spills that are left to fester and DIY carpet cleaning where the moisture is left on the carpet for a considerable amount of time.

3. Why bother with a professional clean. Shake on products make it small great

Take your shake on and vacuum products and through them into the bin. Immediately.

These products contain talcum powder or a variant. They are not soluble in water. As the powder is so fine, it then builds up, with repeated use, becoming embedded in the carpet, carpet fibres and carpet backing – even working it’s way into the underlay. You’ll never get it all up by vacuuming.

When the powder is subjected to moisture – such as professional carpet cleaning – it can combine with the water, seep back up the fibre and cause white streaks and stains on the carpet as it dries. Then you’ll be blaming the carpet cleaning company! It is very hard to remove this residue and it gets worse with constant use. Avoid them.

4. The water pipe has burst and flooded the carpet. Can I dry it out myself?

No. Don’t do this. You’ll be throwing that carpet out before you know it!

Flooding can be a devastating occurrence as far as your carpet id concerned (let alone the consequences for you and the property as a whole).

Carpet acts as a moisture barrier. Repelling water if you will. However, it is not 100% effective in this task. Underlay absorbs moisture quite readily. And there in lies the problem. Your carpet will allow enough water through to waterlog your underlay. But it won’t let it out very quickly.

This encourages mould to form. And it forms very quickly. After 72 hours in moisture your carpet is ruined. You’ll have to uplift it and throw it out. Not only will it smell, it will probably be toxic.

So, a vacuum that sucks water and a few fans are not going to save your carpet.

You’ll need to lift the carpet to get to the underlay, which you should replace. If left outside, the carpet will then have a fair chance of drying out. But to be sure, and if it’s an expensive carpet, call a carpet professional. They will have the right equipment to ensure the carpet dries out quickly and thoroughly.

5. My pet has soiled the carpet. What should I do?

If you have a nice, expensive carpet - get rid of the pets in your house and make them sleep outside. I’m kidding. Animal wastes aren’t the disaster you might imagine if you treat them quickly and correctly.

Get up as much of the offending substance as possible with cloths and paper towels. Put some newspaper down for 5 minutes to absorb any further moisture. Now apply an enzyme based stain remover.

The enzymes in the formula digest organic substances neutralizing the odours and removing the stain. Look for Bissell. They make some good stain removal products.

Hopefully, this guide has gone some way to dispelling myths about taking care of your carpet. I hope this keeps your carpet looking beautiful and saves you a lot of money in the long run.

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