Carpet maintenance is an important yet often-overlooked aspect of housekeeping. Dirty, matted carpet pile can change the whole look of a home, and not for the better. What causes matted carpet, and how can you revive the carpet pile?
What causes matted carpet pile?
Heavy Foot Traffic
If you constantly have people walking through your home, that will affect the appearance of your carpet. Much like roads “wear down” where cars constantly drive over them, high-traffic areas will display themselves on your carpet.
Heavy Furniture
A general rule of thumb is “the heavier the weight, the harder the wear.” Heavy furniture that sits in one place will matt the carpet underneath.
Dirt, Dust, and Mud
Again, this problem displays itself in high-traffic areas. Your shoes track in dirt, mud, and other debris, which get stuck in the carpet and cause matting.
Lack of Cleaning and Maintenance
Since 100% of dirt prevention is virtually impossible, it is important that you keep your carpet clean. Allowing dirt to build up and matting to go unchecked will turn a small problem into a large one.
How can you prevent carpet matting?
Prevention is always the best way to solve problems, and there are several steps you can take to avoid dirty, matted carpet.
Vacuum regularly.
Vacuuming on a regular basis keeps dirt from settling too deep into the carpet, halting any long-term problems.
Rotate furniture placement.
Periodically rearranging your furniture helps ease the weight of heavy sofas and tables on one particular area.
Get your carpets professionally cleaned.
Just as you would have your HVAC system or septic system professionally inspected and maintained every year, it is important that you have your carpet thoroughly cleaned annually. Not only does it improve the appearance of your home, but it also removes allergens from areas in the carpet that you cannot reach yourself. This makes your house much safer and healthier.
How can you revive the carpet pile that is already matted?
While it is important to do what you can to prevent carpet matting, you will likely have to “revive” the pile every so often. Over time, the fibers simply untwist and get tangled. Fortunately, there are a number of simple remedies you can apply to worn, matted carpet fibers, including the following:
Ice Cubes
Try melting ice cubes over the affected area and then using a fork or spoon to untangle the carpet fibers.
Blow Dryer and Comb
Apply the same concept with a hairdryer and comb, blowing the fibers and then picking them apart with the teeth of the comb.
Iron
Placing a damp towel over the matted pile and then ironing it will often straighten out the fibers.
Steam Cleaning
Soap and hot water will temporarily spruce up the matted carpet. Steam cleaning treatments penetrate the fibers to remove dirt, grease, and other particles hidden in hard-to-reach locations.
What about carpet replacement?
If these DIY tricks don’t work, you might need to look into having your carpet replaced.
Remember, your carpet can make or break the visual appeal of your home. Even if it isn’t brand new, it’s important to keep your carpet as clean and fresh as possible. This optimizes home comfort, home appearance, and positively affects your health and well-being.
Carpet needs to be cleaned thoroughly and regularly to avoid long-term damage. If the job is too big for one person to handle, or if you need a free estimate, call Spectrum Carpet Cleaning today at (574)-848-5804. We also perform 24-hour emergency water extractions and want to save you from extensive damage and expensive bills.
