It seems inevitable: when winter comes, the carpets always look so dirty. It can be quite a challenge trying to keep them clean and looking good with kids and pets spending more time indoors and a changing mix of sleet, snow, salt, and sand coming in on their paws and boots. But here are some easy tips that can help alleviate a lot of your housekeeping headaches about keeping carpets clean.

• First of all, invest in sturdy entry mats for your home. This may seem like a no-brainer decision, but too many homes don’t have them. A good mat will catch much of the soil that would otherwise come straight into the home. We don’t think about it, but that “dirt” includes pollens, lead, coal tar, pesticides, and other toxins that will linger in the air and fibers of your home. This is especially important if you have infants and toddlers (or pets) who are at floor level most of the time.

• Second, remove shoes before entering the home. This will significantly reduce what gets tracked inside. In many cultures in Europe and Asia, this is standard practice, and a host is prepared to offer you guest footwear to wear indoors. This is because it is much, much easier to sweep up dirt than it is to beat dirt out of a carpet. But even if you only walk on hard floors while wearing shoes, tracked-in soil will inevitably make its way to carpeted areas and onto furniture.

• Third, vacuum weekly. Keeping salt and loose soil out of the carpet will prolong the life of the floor, help prevent fiber damage, and prevent dust mites and other microscopic pests from penetrating deep into carpets. Taking the time to vacuum regularly will keep your carpet clean (and your family) healthy for years to come.

• Finally, have your carpets steam cleaned by a professional cleaning company after winter is over. Most carpet manufacturers like Mohawk and Stainmaster require a cleaning every 18 months in order for warranties to remain valid. A good spring cleaning will freshen up your surroundings and whisk away that stagnant winter air.

Following these simple steps will keep your carpets, and your house, clean and attractive – no matter what the weather is outside.

David Pollard
First Choice Cleaning & Restorations