That carpeted flooring in your home is a beautiful statement piece, and provides you a warm, comfortable flooring compared to cold marble or tough wood flooring. Carpet cleaning can be a pain, though, and you may be tempted to forget about it.
But not cleaning your carpet is a mistake, as the carpet needs constant care to keep its clean condition. What are the types of carpets, and how to clean them? Keep reading to find out!
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Types of Carpets
There are a plethora of carpet types in the market, and if you already have one installed in your home, you may not know what type of carpet you have. Nevertheless, knowing whether your carpet is made from natural or synthetic materials helps in figuring out how to care for it.
The most common carpet type is nylon, since it is inexpensive and durable. However, since nylon does not give a nice, plush feel, some homeowners opt for carpet fibers made from natural wool instead. Outdoor carpeting typically uses olefin or loop pile type of carpets, since they are sturdy even when exposed to heat and rain.
Carpets come in many different forms, cuts, and materials. Here are the most common types of carpeting used in homes and offices:
- Nylon – the most popular option, this synthetic material is resistant to mold, staining, and wear and tear.
- Polyester – this colorful synthetic material is praised for its vibrant dyes, and can be made from eco-friendly and recycled materials.
- Acrylic – soft, plush, synthetic alternative to wool.
- Olefin – tough and durable, this material is great for outdoors and moist areas for its resistance to mold and mildew.
- Wool – harvested from sheep and alpacas, this natural fiber is surprisingly durable, and is seen as a luxury material.
- Coir – a rough, rustic material made from coconut fibers, this type of carpet is used for outdoor rugs like welcome mats.
- Triexta – this synthetic material is a relatively new development in carpet materials, and is made to be highly durable, resistant to pests, mold, and mildew, and can be used both indoors and outdoors.
Why Clean the Carpet?
If you need any reason to clean the carpet, it’s that the fibers of the carpet catch the most dirt around the house. Oils, spills, and dust can get embedded in the carpet fibers, which can make the carpet unnoticeably filthy.
Regular cleaning is important in keeping the carpet clean, especially when your carpet is in your bedroom and living room areas.
Removes Allergens
Kids keep sneezing? Is your skin itching? You may have allergens trapped in the carpets of your home. Dust is a mixture of skin cells, hair, animal dander, and small particles that can cause allergies, especially for children and the immunocompromised.
Cleaning your carpets often reduces the amount of allergens present in the carpet, and thus creating a cleaner environment for the whole family.
Gets Rid of Mites, Fleas, and Carpet Beetles
Fleas and mites make their homes deep within carpet fibers, where they breed and feed off your blood. These pests can also carry blood-borne diseases, and are difficult to control once they create a substantial size of a colony. Bed bugs can also hide in carpets, ready to pounce on you as you sleep.
Carpet beetles, on the other hand, prefer natural fibers, but can also go after your pantry staples like dried pasta, rice, and flour. Regular vacuuming and cleaning will prevent these pests from settling into your carpets, and will stop individual bugs from laying eggs before they start new colonies.
Prevents Wear and Tear
Carpet cleaning, when done properly, prevents wear and tear. Clearing away the mold, bacteria, and pests that eat carpet fibers keeps your carpet in tip top condition, and prevents the deterioration of your carpet.
Especially for cotton and wool carpets, cleaning helps restore the fluffiness and plush of the carpet. Deep cleaning also lifts the carpet fibers that have compressed over time due to the pressure of the feet from walking over the carpet for years.
How to Clean Carpet Properly
Regular vacuuming is a good practice to keep your carpets clean. You don’t need to have those fancy machines or equipment, just some good ol’ vacuuming does the trick to remove most of the dirt trapped in your carpet.
To deodorize your carpets, you can also sprinkle baking soda or a commercial carpet refresher to remove any bad smells from your carpets. Put the deodorizing powder on your carpet, and let it remove the smells. Vacuum up the powder after 15 minutes to clean it up.
Depending on where you live, there are cleaning companies with services that do carpet shampoo Singapore homes can avail of. Shampooing your carpets requires expert care, especially with expensive, natural fibers like wool. This method deep cleans your carpets, and gets rid of any dust and dirt that may be trapped beneath the fibers.
Taking care of your carpet does not have to be a hassle. Your carpet was made to last for years to come, as long as you give proper care to it. Professional carpet cleaning services do a great deal in extending the lifespan of your carpet, and you can always count on the expertise of cleaners to clean your carpets the proper way!