Maintenance
Maintaining a Berber carpet is really no different than maintaining any carpet. While many people only consider vacuuming as the main form of carpet maintenance, there are several parts to a complete maintenance program.
Avoid Excess Dirt
You can’t always prevent dirt and stains from getting on your carpet, but there are some simple things you can do to minimize these. Wipe your feet at the door. Using a textured door mat can help scrape dirt and particles from your feet, thus keeping them from ending up on your carpet. Better than a door mat is to simply remove your shoes when you enter your home. This ensures that all dirt and grime from the streets outside stays on your shoes and doesn’t get wiped on your carpet. In addition to keeping carpets cleaner, studies have shown that by removing your shoes at the door, you help decrease the amount of airborne allergens and bacteria in the home.
Vacuum
All carpet manufacturers and floor covering organizations agree that vacuuming is the single most important task in maintaining a carpet. Regular vacuuming removes loose dirt and fluffs the carpet fibers. There are several factors you should take into consideration when implementing a vacuuming plan. These include:
- Type of carpet. Different carpets have different needs.
- Type of vacuum. There is vacuum for everything! You can find many settings, attachments and types of brushing and suction, which can be useful for different types of carpet.
- Location and Use. Note the location and frequency of use for your particular carpet.
EXAMPLE: Berber Carpet in a Living Room
In this scenario, the carpet is in a high traffic area. If the household also has pets and/or children, the Berber carpet is likely to get soiled and have much dust and hair. Additionally, the looped pile of the Berber, while adding durability, also makes it prone to getting dirt stuck underneath the fiber loops. It is therefore appropriate to vacuum this Berber carpet on a daily basis, using a standard full-sized vacuum. In the case of wall-to-wall carpeting, the attachments and nozzles may be helpful to reach the corners and crevices where dirt can build up.
Spot Cleaning
Accidents happen! Everyone has spilled or tracked mud onto a carpet at some point. There’s no need to worry. The key to spot cleaning stains and spills is to treat the affected area as soon as it happens (or as soon as you notice it!) In the case of liquid spills, first absorb as much of the liquid as possible. Do this by pressing firmly on the area with a paper towel or cloth. The more you can blot off with pressure, the better chance of fully removing the stain. Next, treat the stain with a gentle carpet cleaner. There are also several homemade solutions that work quite well and won’t damage your carpet:
- Seltzer water. Many people use seltzer water or club soda with good results. You can also try plain water.
- Use a little bit of soap mixed with water. Dish soap (clear, without dyes) works well because it’s gentle and doesn’t contain bleach or other chemicals that can damage carpet.
- White vinegar solution. Many carpet manufactures recommend this for food stains. In general, use a mixture of 1/4 teaspoon of vinegar to 1 quart of water. In other words, a little vinegar goes a long way.
For suggestions to remove specific types of stains (including fluids and solids) Mohawk Flooring has a useful guide. You may also want to check with the manufacturer of your carpet for their suggestions.
Professional Cleaning
Depending on the current state of your carpet, as well as frequency of use, professional cleaning is needed on a regular basis. In general, it’s a good idea to get your carpet professionally cleaning once a year to once every two years. This will help keep your carpet in its best shape and ensure that you can enjoy it for many years to come.
