If you want to keep your carpets looking fresh and clean, then regular vacuuming is necessary. However, over time your carpets will begin to look tired and faded - even with regular vacuum cleaning. This is due to the fact that standard vacuums can only remove loose dirt and dust from the outer layers of the carpet. Deeply ingrained dirt which is trapped in the carpet cannot be removed by even the most efficient vacuum cleaner. In addition, liquid spills, if not attended to rapidly, can be slightly sticky when they dry and they will act as a dirt trap.
Cleaning with a vacuum on a regular basis is one of the best ways to avoid dirt becoming trapped deep in your carpet as it removes any dirt and dust before it can become ingrained. What this means is that heavy traffic areas - hallways, the areas near doors etc. - should be vacuumed at least twice a week. If you have pets then you may want to do this three times a week. This should be reasonably effective in preventing excessive build up of dirt and dust.
However, some penetration of dirt deep into the fabric of your carpet is inevitable. Heavy traffic, wet and muddy shoes and accidental spills will, over time, mean that dust and dirt gets deep into your carpet which will become tired and dull. This dirt will not be removed by normal cleaning with a vacuum, so some alternative method must be employed.
One of the best ways to remove this trapped dirt is to deep clean your carpet periodically using a carpet washer. This uses water and detergent to loosen the dirt and then removes it. Depending upon your circumstances - the amount of traffic over your carpet, whether or not you have pets and small children - a deep clean using a carpet washer every 3 to 6 months will go a long way towards keeping your carpet looking fresh, removing odours and helping to prolong the life of your carpet.
As with standard vacuum cleaners, carpet washers tend to come in a variety of different styles and, as with standard vacuum cleaners, upright and cylinder models are the most common. You can find carpet washers for hire in hardware stores and the larger branches of supermarkets. If you like, you can hire a professional carpet cleaning firm to visit your home and clean your carpets. You can also buy your own carpet washer, and the price of these cleaners is relatively low these days, so that may be an attractive option for many. If you decide to buy your own carpet washer then it will be handy for dealing with any accidental spills before they have the chance to become ground in to your carpet.
It doesn't matter if you decide to rent or buy, regular deep cleaning of your carpets will prolong their life and cover the cost of hire or purchase. Not only will your carpets look better but lingering odours will be reduced. The overall environment will be more hygienic - an important consideration if you have young children.
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