Spare a thought for your carpet as you trample it to death, day in, day out. Put it top of the list when you’re planning your cleaning schedule and you’ll extend its life by years. You can’t beat the warmth and comfort of a carpeted floor, but don’t take it for granted. Clean it regularly to keep it looking like new; it’s also wise to budget for a yearly visit from a carpet cleaning professional.
Vacuum your carpets at least once a week. If you own cats or dogs, keeping pet fur at bay means more frequent vacuuming; children also bring an incredible amount of dirt into the home. An upright vacuum cleaner with a rotary-brush, or beater, head will give best results.
Fitting your cleaner with a High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter typically removes close to 100 percent of dust and dirt, and an exhaust filter is also a worthwhile addition. Many manufacturers, including Dyson, Electrolux, and Hoover, supply cleaners with HEPA filters as standard.
It’s not only the obvious areas that need regular cleaning; vacuuming under lounge furniture, tables and beds is also recommended – every two to four weeks is ideal. If you have heavy furniture, enlist the help of a friend so you can move it about easily to get underneath it. Alternatively, use carpet savers, or castor cups, that allow you to slide furniture instead of lifting it.
Cleaning and vacuuming regularly prevents dust, pet hairs and other household debris building up on your carpets. Keeping your home free from outside dirt has other benefits – many allergy sufferers find that it eases symptoms considerably. Regular cleaning also means that you’re not faced with a mammoth task every time you unearth your vacuum cleaner, so make a start today.
