Guide on Cleaning Rugs and Carpets

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We have learned to clean and polishing the floors. We need to also look at the rugs and carpets. Find some tips on to clean the rugs and carpets in this article. What kind of cleaner or shampoo that I have to use for the rugs and carpets? Find the tips to help you do better with your rugs and carpets.

Now, presumably, we have the floors finished and looking spic and span. What about the rugs and carpets? No matter what material they are made of or how much they cost, they will look faded and dull if they are not kept fresh and clean.

DAILY CARE is the same for all types. A quick brush-up with a carpet sweeper, especially in areas of heavy traffic, will remove dust, dirt, ashes, and crumbs, and fluffs up the nap so that it is kept soft and attractive. Dirt found on rugs includes sharp-edged particles of grit which rub against the fibers and weaken them. Modern carpet sweepers remove with efficiency most of this dirt before it is ground into the rug.

AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK rugs and carpets should be thoroughly vacuumed. This will take care of most of the dirt particles mat the sweeper has missed and will fluff up the pile. A thorough cleaning with a vacuum cleaner means at least seven strokes over every foot of the surface.

AT LONGER INTERVALS a rug requires additional beauty treatment. It needs to be shampooed to remove the grime that adheres to the fibers making the colors look gray, and the cutting particles of embedded grit not reached by a vacuum cleaner. Surveys show that carpets last much longer if they are shampooed every three months. In the past this was practically impossible because of the expense and inconvenience of sending them to a professional cleaner, for the alternative was a hands-and-knees affair with rug shampoo and a hand brush. Most carpets went gray as the task was postponed from month to month, and became worn-looking before their time due to cutting ground-in dirt.

A NEW TYPE OF CLEANER makes it possible today for rugs and carpets to be shampooed frequently with little more trouble than carpet sweeping involves. Long handled applicators of the roller brush type (the best), are equipped with built-in dispensers for a liquid shampoo. Fingertip action spreads the cleaner as a foam over the rug (which of course has been vacuumed first) and as it dries, solidified dirt rises to the surface and stains are loosened. After the rug has dried thoroughly usually from three to four hours but sometimes overnight this dirt is simply vacuumed away, leaving the nap clean and fluffy and the colors bright.

LIQUID SHAMPOOS for rugs do a better, more thorough deep cleaning job than the dry types, which are difficult to remove after cleaning. In applying them the best method is to criss-cross your strokes, using light foam to avoid soaking the carpet through to the mat. The directions you receive with your applicator will tell you how to operate it so that too much foam is avoided, and it will provide detailed information on other points. This includes a warning to slip waxed paper discs under the legs of chairs and tables, to be left on the carpet while it is damp, to avoid stains from slides and castors. If the rug or carpet must be walked on before it has dried completely, make a pathway for traffic by spreading uncolored wrapping paper on the floor. Another precaution is not to get the rug too wet. The shampoo won't hurt the carpet but it is uneconomical to use more than you need and more time will be required for drying.

Rug and carpets also needs daily care, as the dust and dirt will make them look gray and old. Vacuum the rugs and carpets at least once a week. Get your rugs and carpets washed once in three months, your carpets will last much longer. There are shampoo and cleaner for rugs and carpets. Try not to get the rug or carpet too wet, as it will take more time for drying.

Mitch Johnson is a regular writer for http://www.kitchen-plans-n-designs.com/ . His articles have also appeared on http://www.beddingmadeez.info/ and http://www.beddingtips.info/