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Carpets and rugs can really tie a room together and make it feel cozy and comfortable. However, they also see a lot of foot traffic and can get quite dirty over time. With some regular care and strategic cleaning, you can keep your rugs looking great for years to come. Here are some of the best carpet care tips.

Vacuum Frequently

One of the simplest ways to care for your carpets is to vacuum them often. You should aim to vacuum at least once per week, more often in high traffic areas. Vacuuming helps lift dirt to the surface and suck it up before it gets ground further into the carpet fibers. Use a vacuum with an adjustable power setting and height - you generally want the highest suction for carpets. Make sure to get into corners and along edges.

Deal with Spills Right Away

It's inevitable that spills and stains will happen on a rug. When they do, be sure to blot liquids immediately while they are still fresh. Avoid rubbing or scrubbing the carpet fibers. For water-based spills, use clean white towels or paper towels to gently blot and lift as much liquid as possible. For oil-based spills, use an absorbent such as corn starch or salt to soak it up before blotting.

Spot Clean as Needed

In addition to dealing with spills promptly, periodically check your carpets for stubborn spots and stains that might require some extra attention. Mix up a mild carpet cleaner solution - either a gentle detergent or vinegar and water works well. Dip a clean cloth into the solution, ring it out so it's just lightly damp, and gently blot the stained area. Avoid rubbing or soaking the carpet. Rinse with a separate damp cloth, then blot dry. This can lift many common stains without fully deep cleaning.

Consider DIY Deep Cleaning

Every 12-18 months, carpets should undergo a deeper, more thorough cleaning. While you can always hire professional carpet cleaners, you can also tackle this yourself with some simple equipment. To deep clean carpets at home, combine hot water with carpet shampoo or cleaning solution in a bucket.

Use a scrub brush attachment on your vacuum or an extraction cleaner machine to work the solution deep into carpets and lift dirt to the surface. Make sure to fully rinse and extract all detergent residues so they don't attract more dirt over time. Open windows and use fans to speed drying.

Professional Steam Cleaning

Alternatively, you may choose to occasionally hire professional carpet cleaners to steam clean your rugs using powerful extraction equipment and commercial cleaning products. This blasts away far more embedded dirt, odors, and allergens. Though you can rent equipment for DIY steam cleaning, professional cleaners have very hot, pressurized systems and strong suction capabilities that achieve much better results. They can treat stubborn stains and also apply carpet protector treatments.

Rotate Rugs

To promote even wear and prevent matting in high traffic areas, consider rotating area rugs periodically. Shift them over slightly or rotate them 180 degrees so the ends that see less traffic are placed into walking lanes. Fluff and rake the rug pile with your fingers after rotating. You may even want to hire professional rug cleaners at this time to restore the rug’s shape. If possible, take the rug outdoors to beat out dust and grit as well.

Stop Dirt at the Door

An important carpet care prevention step is keeping as much dirt from entering your home as possible. Use doormats outside every exterior door - these scrape dirt and debris off shoes. Place mats inside as well to capture more. Designate an area for taking shoes off when entering to minimize tracked-in dirt. Vacuuming mats and entryways more often also cuts down on how much makes it onto the carpet.

With some regular TLC, you can have carpets that stay looking new and fresh for up to twice as long. Dedicate yourself to quick attention when spills happen, frequent vacuuming, periodic deep cleaning and rotating rugs, and trapping dirt in entryways. Following these fundamental carpet care tips will help maintain the appearance, longevity, comfort, and healthiness of all your home's rugs. They are an investment worth protecting.

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