7 Carpet Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid

Cleaning a carpet the wrong way can do more harm than the spill itself. These are the seven most common mistakes people make at home, and the simple fix for each.

• Delaying the cleaning

  Wine, coffee and other spills seep in fast. Blot and dab with an absorbent cloth and clean quickly.

• Using untested cleaning agents

  Some chemicals react with the carpet and destroy the dyes and fibres. Read the label and test on a small hidden area first.

• Cleaning far too often

  Excessive cleaning can wear down fibres and fade the dyes. Match the schedule to the foot traffic, ideally with professional help.

• Using coloured cloths on stains

  Coloured towels can bleed their own dye into the carpet, especially with hot water. Use a clean white cloth or paper towels.

• Reaching for talcum powder

  Powder settles deep into the pile and attracts dirt and odour, and a home vacuum cannot pull it all back out.

• Scrubbing the fibres

  Scrubbing drives dirt deeper and damages the pile. Blot and dab gently with a clean white absorbent cloth instead.

• Skipping the professionals

  DIY cleaning only reaches the surface. A professional clean goes deeper and, by extending the life of the carpet, saves money over time.

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