A Guide to Seasonal Carpet Cleaning Techniques

Seasonal Strategies to Keep Your Carpets Fresh and Inviting

Seasonal Strategies to Keep Your Carpets Fresh and Inviting

The seasons change, but the need for clean carpets remains year-round. As the climate changes, so do the types of dirt, allergens, and moisture that are tracked inside a home. Developing good seasonal cleaning habits is key to maintaining fresh, healthy carpets.

Key Takeaways

  • Spring cleaning helps remove dirt accumulated over winter and prepare for increased summer traffic
  • Cleaning carpets at least twice a year – in spring and fall when changing HVAC
  • Use fans and dehumidifiers in summer to reduce moisture that breeds mould and bacteria
  • Winter season bring in more dirt, salt, and moisture that should be cleaned up
  • Each season has its own cleaning challenges – follow these tips to keep carpets fresh and clean year-round

Spring Cleaning for Carpets

After a long winter of tracking in snow, salt, and other outdoor debris, a thorough spring cleaning helps refresh carpets. As you open windows to let in the fresh air, it’s also important to tackle the dirt that accumulated over the closed-up winter.

Here are some key spring cleaning tips:

  • Vacuum thoroughly. Use a vacuum with a rotating brush head to lift and remove the salt dirt ground into carpets over winter. Pay special attention to high traffic spots and entryways.
  • Shampoo or deep clean. Consider hiring professional carpet cleaning companies to cleaning in spring. The high-powered truck mounted units do the best job of forcing out ground-in particles from the base of the carpet.
  • Clean under furniture and along baseboards. Move furniture to vacuum up dirt that collects out of sight. Use crevice tools to remove debris hiding along baseboards and transitions.
  • Check for winter moth larvae. Plush wool carpets sometimes harbor winter moth larvae. In spring they start moving out of carpets to form cocoons. Vacuum up any you see wandering around.
  • Deodorise. Sprinkle baking soda over carpets Allow it to settle for awhile before vacuuming up. It helps absorb odours and freshen carpets.
  • Prepare for summer. Clearing out the winter dirt prepares carpets for increased foot traffic and soil in the summer season. Establish a thorough regular vacuuming routine. At least twice a week for high traffic areas.

Summer Carpet Care Tips

During summer, dirt and moisture are the main concerns with carpet care. From muddy shoe prints to seasonal humidity, summer heat brings its own professional cleaning challenges.

  • Clean up spills immediately. The summer heat often mean kids home from school or summer parties. Be diligent about cleaning up food and drink spills right away before marks have a chance to set.
  • Use carpet fans and dehumidifiers. Run ceiling fans or portable fans over damp carpet areas to help them dry faster. Use dehumidifiers to control moisture that allows mould and bacteria to breed.
  • Vacuum at least twice a week. From tracked in grass clippings to crumbs from summer snacks, frequent cleaning keeps summer carpets fresher. Target high traffic zones for more frequent touch-ups.
  • Rinse after routine cleaning pet accidents. Making sure to rinse thoroughly with clean water is important to fully remove all pet waste and reduce staining. Blot area dry when done. Consider using an enzyme-based pet odour neutraliser as well.
  • Clean before leaving on vacation. Give carpets a thorough vacuuming before leaving town. This removes dirt and debris that could be ground further into fibres while you’re away.

Solution for Seasonal Carpet Cleaning

Fall Cleaning Checklist

As summer winds down, look turns indoors. Before closing up the house for winter, a round of deep expert cleaning service helps freshen up living spaces.

Here are key areas to focus efforts in fall:

  • Deep clean high traffic areas. Consider hiring cleaning experts in hallways, stairs, living rooms and other areas exposed to heavy summer usage. This blasts out the grime ground deep into carpet fibres.
  • Shampoo wool carpets. Naturally moisture resistant, wool rugs hold up well to cleaning. Use a wool safe carpet shampoo to gently lift away soil. Allow to fully dry before cleaning up residue.
  • Treat pet messes. Fall is a good time to tackle those problem pet spots. Use an enzyme cleaner formulated to break down and remove urine, feces, or vomit marks. This helps eliminate odours before closing windows for winter.
  • Clean under furniture. Rearrange and move furniture to access the dirt that hides below chairs, sofas, beds and appliances. Give these dirt traps a thorough vacuum.
  • Change out HVAC. Stay on top of changing furnace and AC filters every 60-90 days. This prevents dirt buildup that circulates back through carpet fibres.

Winter Carpet Care Tips

The winter season present some unique cleaning challenges. From salt spots to static, properly caring for carpets in winter helps them stay cleaner through the closed up months.

Follow these carpet care tips for winter:

  • Deal with salt stains promptly. Salt carried inside on boots leaves crusty white dirts. Mix up a solution of white vinegar and water to sponge up these areas before the salt penetrates and causes permanent damage.
  • Run a humidifier. Dry winter air leads to static build up in carpets. Running a humidifier helps add moisture back to the air to reduce shocking static zaps.
  • Vacuum entryways frequently. Trapped in carpets, salt and meltwater also bring in heavy doses of dirt. Pay extra time to cleaning entryways and anywhere boots travel frequently.
  • Cut down on carpet traffic. From perpetually wet boots to heavy coats dragging across carpets, winter weather is tough on carpets. Try to remove footwear at entryways and contain coat traffic to mudrooms.
  • Move furniture. Shifting furniture around helps evenly distribute wear. This prevents excessive dirt and crushing damage in frequently used pathways.
  • Clean spills quickly. Winter also means holiday parties and family gatherings. Staying on top of spills prevents permanent damage to fibres.

FAQ’s

What is the best way to clean carpets?

Regular cleaning using hot water extraction or steam cleaning is best to thoroughly cleaning your carpets.

Should I use a clean cloth when blotting liquid from carpets?

Yes, always blot with a clean white cloth or plain paper towels to lift grime without spreading.

Can dirty carpets worsen allergy symptoms?

Yes, dirt and mould spores trapped in carpets can aggravate allergy and asthma symptoms for some people.

What helps get out stubborn carpet stains?

Pre-treat stubborn stains by spraying a cleaning solution directly on the spot before using a carpet cleaner. Allow to soak before blotting and rinsing the area.

Contact Professional Carpet Cleaning Services

Conclusion

Keeping carpets clean takes some work but is important for health and maintaining the look of carpets. Establish regular vacuum cleaning and professional deep cleaning routines appropriate for carpet type and traffic levels. Address any spills right away. With proper maintenance, carpets can stay looking their best and become a clean, welcoming part of any floor.