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5 simple steps to make your carpet last longer

An average lifespan of a carpet is 7 to 10 years. While this doesn’t look surprising, the number of carpets that get discarded globally every year will certainly shock you. Even if your carpet is made of natural fibre and fabric, it will still take a significant time to degrade. In Honour of World Environment Day, Austech Carpet Cleaning team wants to help people minimise their carbon footprints by reducing the number of discarded carpets globally. Here are some tips that will help you make your carpet last longer.

Use entry mats
If possible, remove your shoes at the entrance and use separate footwear for home. But, if you need to wear your shoes inside, place entry mats to cut down the dirt and moisture that reaches your carpet. Dirt and dust can make your carpet look filthy and unhygienic. The grit will grind away the fibres and wear it out. Even if you get your carpet cleaned professionally, it will still look dull and dirty because the fibres have got scratches.

Rotate your furniture periodically
Furniture placement and the layout of the room can create specific wear and tear patterns on your carpet. If you do not rotate the furniture or change the traffic direction, your carpet is going to erode quickly. To make sure it lasts longer and suffers a uniform wear and tear, try moving the furniture every six months.

Vacuum your carpet as frequently as possible
Dirt and grime are the biggest enemies of your carpet. They can erode the fabric and shorten its life. So, you need to keep them away from your carpet as much as possible and vacuuming is the best way to do this. You don’t need to buy the most expensive vacuum cleaner. A basic carpet vacuum is enough to remove dirt and grime, provided you use it frequently. If your carpet experiences a high volume of traffic, you need to vacuum it every day. Homeowners with mild traffic may vacuum their carpets twice a week.

Clean the spots immediately
You will be surprised to know that even if you own a ‘stain-free’ carpet, you will still have to clean up the spills immediately. If the spilled material stays on the fabric for a long time, it will oxidise and will become a permanent stain. Such stains can make your carpet look filthy and old. Bloating the spots immediately with paper towels and then cleaning the bloated area with soapy water will help you keep your carpet stain-free.

Get your carpet professionally cleaned
Most carpet manufacturing companies recommend that you must get your carpet professionally cleaned every 12 months. However, at Austech Carpet Cleaning, we strongly suggest that you must get it deep cleaned at least twice a year. Regular maintenance can help you extend its life while keeping it clean and hygienic. Even if you vacuum your carpet almost every day, you still need to get it deep cleaned by professionals at regular intervals. Deep cleaning helps in extracting the deep-down soil and residue that is beyond the reach of your vacuum cleaner.

The team at Austech Carpet Cleaning is always available to attend to your queries. If you need any information on your carpet cleaning or want to get a quote from us, please call us on (07) 3882 1050.

How to get rid of common carpet stains

Spillovers on your carpets are inevitable. Thankfully, most stains are easy to remove, provided you take the right step at the right time. Here are some tips on how you can get rid of common carpet stains without requiring professional help:

Pet urine stains

If your adored pet has given you a surprise, pick up some paper towels immediately and place it on the urinated area. Let the paper towels absorb the urine as much as possible.

If there is any debris on the carpet, pick it up with the help of gloves. Mix stain-fighting laundry detergent and water in equal quantity and spray the mixture on the stained area. Allow this mixture to rest for a few minutes and then, blot the area. Rinse it with warm water three or more times to remove the detergent traces completely.

If the stain is dry and stinky, you may try using white vinegar and water solution, but we suggest that you hire a professional carpet cleaner in Brisbane instead. DIY methods are great but sometimes, they may create unnecessary troubles and may even cause discolouration and carpet damage.

Coffee stains

If not treated properly, coffee stains can make your carpet look filthy. The worst thing is that the yellowish coffee tint can be easily mistaken as pet mess. If you have a coffee spill, immediately dry the spot by bloating with paper towels. Keep changing the towel so that they absorb as much moisture as possible. In a bottle, mix white vinegar, water and a gentle, non-bleach detergent. Spray this mixture on the wet coffee stain, rub the area very gently with a white cloth, rinse with warm water and repeat. Do a patch test, if required.

Oil Stains

Oil stains are hard to deal with, especially if you have ignored them for a long time. Oil spills should be attended to as quickly as possible. Sprinkle a good amount of baking powder or corn starch on the spiled area. These products are easily available in most households and they are harmless for your carpet. Rub the powder into the carpet and let it sit for 15-20 minutes. Vacuum the area thoroughly and rinse it with warm water. Baking soda and corn starch are absorbent in nature. They will absorb the oil, leaving your carpet stain free.

If you don’t have baking soda or corn starch handy, you can use rubbing alcohol. Apply it on the stained area and let it sit for 15 minutes. If the stain is still visible, apply some more rubbing alcohol until the stain disappears. Let the stained area dry completely and then, rinse it thoroughly. Baking soda, corn starch, and rubbing alcohol are great for all types of oil including baby oil, motor oil, olive oil, and cooking oil.

Carpet stains, if attended to immediately, are easy to get rid of. But, if the stains have dried out, do not use the DIY products available in the supermarkets. There is a high chance that these products may discolour your carpet. Call your nearby carpet cleaning company like us at Austech Carpet Cleaning to get it cleaned professionally.