How To Keep Carpet Clean In The Winter
Winter in Fort Wayne can be downright messy! Between snow, ice, mud, salt, etc. it can be a real challenge to keep carpet clean in the winter.
We’ve compiled some Distinctive Do’s and Don’ts on how to keep carpet clean in the winter.
DO invest in entrance mats.
It is a good idea to have mats both inside and outside the door. Entrance mats prevent slipping, soak up moisture from snow and sleet, and are great for scrubbing mud, salt, and extra snow off shoes.
Using a combination of a trapper mat and a walk off mat can help absorb the most debris from outside.
It is important to keep your entrance mats clean, as a clean mat is more effective than one that is full of dirt and moisture.
DO leave your shoes at the door.
Make it a habit to remove your shoes at the door before walking about your home. Encourage your guests to do the same. This can greatly reduce dirt from accumulating on your carpet while increasing the life of your carpet.
If you have pets that go outside, clean and dry their paws before they return inside. Outside debris can get trapped in their fur. Consider wiping their fur so they don’t roll the outside elements around your home, on your carpet, rugs or furniture.
DO vacuum often.
We spend a lot more time indoors during the winter. To stay ahead of all the dust, allergens, dead skin, hair, etc. that accumulates inside your home, vacuuming more frequently is recommended.
Vacuuming at least once a week is a good rule of thumb. If you have kids or pets, 2-3 times a week will help even more.
DO keep the outside clean.
Keep the areas just outside your home clean in order to help prevent dirt and debris from being tracked into your home. Whether it’s leaves, snow, or ice, make sure you shovel or sweep your front porch, patio, garage and sidewalks.
DO clean up messes quickly.
It’s always best to clean up spots/spills as soon as possible, rather than letting them sit and sink into your carpet fibers. Remember that many DIY spot removal tips on the internet can potentially damage your carpet!
DON’T use an adhesive plastic runner on your carpet.
In theory, this sounds like a great way to protect your carpet – it is easy to install, it stays in place and it protects the carpet from getting dirty!
Unfortunately, after plastic runners with adhesive are removed, the adhesive remains on the carpet. This attracts dirt over time and can require multiple cleanings to completely remove.
DON’T use harsh spot removal products.
Many over-the-counter spot removers contain harsh chemicals that can damage your carpet if used improperly by removing color and leaving a bleached spot behind. Others can leave a dirt-attracting sticky residue.
All of Distinctive’s customers receive a complimentary 8 oz. bottle of Spot Out after each cleaning. This product is great for removing general spots and it will not bleach your carpet or leave a sticky residue. It can be purchased between cleanings.
DON’T WAIT to have your carpet professionally cleaned by Distinctive.
Did you know winter is actually the best time to clean your carpet, rugs, floors and furniture?