Carpets are a great way to increase the aesthetic appeal of your home or office. They also have the benefit of being comfortable and, in many cases, they can be soft on bare feet.
However, carpets need proper care and maintenance if you want them to last for years without needing replacing. That's why you must know how to sanitize the carpet. In addition, you need to take steps to prevent that carpet from getting stained or damaged by the various liquids your family and your guests track into your home. Learn more about carpet sanitizer and disinfection on our blog.
In this article, we'll look at how to sanitize carpet using several different methods. We'll also examine how you can keep your carpets in good condition so they last for a long time and don't need replacing often.
Here's all you need to know.
Vacuum the carpet regularly
Buying a carpet but not vacuuming it should never happen. Regular vacuuming is the most important thing you can do to keep your carpet clean. It helps prevent dust and dirt from accumulating, which leads to your carpet being less prone to stains and odors. Be sure to vacuum all areas of your carpet regularly – including underneath furniture, along the sides of walls, and even behind doors where a cat or dog fur often collects. You should also be sure to empty the dirt receptacle regularly because it will fill up quickly if you have pets or kids in your household.
One of the biggest mistakes people make when they are trying to sanitize a carpet is waiting long before taking action when there is a stain on their carpet before they bring out the vacuum cleaner (or hire a professional cleaning service). The longer a stain sits on your carpet, the worse it will be.
Remove stains promptly
You must clean up spills quickly and carefully if you want to sanitize the carpet properly. Several different kinds of liquids can cause discoloration, so you should familiarize yourself with how to safely remove each type of liquid from your carpet. Coffee, tea, and soda are some of the most common culprits when it comes to staining carpets. When these liquids have had time to set into the fibers of your carpet it can be very difficult (or sometimes impossible) to remove them without professional help.
One of the worst things you can do is leave a stain on your carpet untreated for too long and then try to clean it yourself. In some cases, this might mean removing the entire carpet from underneath the stained area so you can thoroughly clean the backing of the carpet (this will likely require professional help). Be sure to seal any bleach that gets on your carpet after you have cleaned up a spill to prevent discoloring.
Vacuum regularly with a dry filter
If you're vacuuming with a HEPA-filtered vacuum, there's no need to use your regular vacuum cleaner or change out filters when someone in your family has been sick. Allergen particles (including dust particles) are much larger than the microorganisms which cause cold and flu viruses. For this reason, using a vacuum with a HEPA filter is ideal for sanitizing the carpet because it will remove any hazardous bacteria while leaving your carpet clean and free of dust.
Clean your rugs regularly
Rugs are typically less expensive, so many people don't take as good care of them as they would their other carpets. If you have area rugs in high-traffic areas or if you frequently spill things on them then you should consider cleaning them often. You can use similar cleaning techniques to those we've already covered here to keep your area rugs looking their best.
Remove excess dirt and dust regularly
Regular vacuuming is just one way to remove excess dirt and dust from your carpets. You can also consider using a carpet brush or steam cleaner if you find that vacuuming isn't enough to keep your carpets looking clean. A well-maintained carpet will last longer than an unclean one, so it's important to take care of these things regularly to prolong the life of your entire home as well.
Do not use cleaning chemicals on natural fibers
If you have wool rugs or natural fiber carpets then don't clean them with any kind of chemical solution. When you spray chemicals onto a natural fiber rug it breaks down the fibers over time, causing them to become brittle and break apart. You can use a vacuum cleaner with a soft brush attachment instead if you need to remove dirt from your natural fiber carpets. Vacuuming is preferable to cleaning with chemical solutions in this case because it will get rid of the dust without harming the surface of your carpet.
Use a carpet deodorizer regularly
You can use carpet deodorizing agents to remove any lingering smells from pets, food, or cigarettes in the air. If you would like to decrease odors coming from your carpets then be sure to vacuum them every few days (with a dry filter) after applying the deodorizer. You should also clean any spills as soon as they occur because this will help eliminate any strong smells remaining on your carpeting. Carpet deodorizer is ideal for removing bad smells left by smokers or anyone who has been sick recently, but don't rely on it if foods have spoiled in an area of your home — you'll need to clean them up right away.
Use a carpet sanitizer
You can purchase special rug cleaning solutions if you want to remove bacteria and viruses from your carpets regularly. You should apply this product at least once every few months to keep your home safe from harmful microorganisms and to prevent bad smells from developing in the future. Many of these products will also protect against mold and mildew, so they are ideal for anyone who has problems with these substances growing in their homes.
How can I clean a pet stain from a carpet?
The thing with pets is that they can get sick at any time. Therefore, when this happens to your pet and they get sick on your carpet, you need to make sure that you take proper care of your pets first and then immediately after, of cleaning the carpet stain immediately – otherwise it will linger on your carpet leaving a bad smell. Over time, this might be difficult to remove especially if the pet had been ill for some days or weeks.
How do I remove vomit odor from my carpet?
The smell left behind by vomit is very strong and hard to get rid of, but there are few tips and home remedies that can help remove this bad odor easily. Before applying these methods, make sure you have already cleaned up whatever was vomited/spilled on the flooring otherwise the odor might get stronger. Below are some quick tips to remove the stench:
Vinegar is one of the most widely used home remedies for many reasons, one being that it can help kill bacteria and neutralize any odors. You first have to mix white vinegar with warm water (1:3 ratio) and put this solution in a spray bottle. This should then be applied on the carpeting or flooring where there is the odor.
Another good option is lemon juice which also brings about similar results as vinegar. When cleaning with lemon juice, however, you need to make sure there is no yellowing on the carpet/floor after cleaning because it may damage them if exposed for long periods.
Final thoughts on how to sanitize carpet
In conclusion, a carpet must be properly cleaned before it can be sanitized which involves a great deal of time, effort, and money.
If done successfully, sanitizing can be a good step in ensuring that the carpet is safe to use and will not have ill effects on anyone who comes into contact with it.
By doing so, you will prevent your family from allergic reactions and sickness.
It may take time, but it's the best way to keep your family healthy.
