Few decor options can make a home feel stylish and cozy like carpeting. With proper care, a good carpet can last for years. Regular vacuuming is essential to extending your carpet’s lifespan, but you can’t rely on it alone to preserve a carpet. Other cleaning methods, such as professional steam cleaning, are also necessary. 

A Guide to Essential Carpet Care

Why Vacuuming Is Good for Your Carpet

Vacuuming is an essential part of your carpet care routine. It pulls dirt, debris, pet dander, and dust out of the carpet while helping to minimize allergies and odors. It can also help refresh and maintain plush carpets, especially in high traffic areas. If you have pets or kids, or if you live in a dusty location, vacuum your carpet at least twice a week. To help cut down on carpet wear, make sure to wipe your pets’ paws before they enter the living room, and opt to be a shoe-free household.

How to Vacuum Properly

To get the most out of your weekly vacuuming, follow these tips:

• Get a good vacuum: Invest in a model with plenty of attachments and adjustable height settings. It should offer HEPA filtering and be easy to carry.
• Get a vacuum that’s right for carpets: A beater bar — the rotating brush inside some vacuums — can ruin Berber, frieze, or wool carpets. Opt for a model that uses suction or lets you turn the beater off.
• Go slow: move the vacuum slowly forward and back, covering an area with even, overlapping strokes.
• Bag it: check the bag often and change when it’s three-quarters full for optimal results.

When to Opt for Professional Cleaning

If your carpet is new or was installed relatively recently, check the warranty for stipulations on how often the carpet must be professionally steam cleaned to maintain the warranty. Many brands require an annual steam performed by professionals. Professional steam cleaning will remove dirt, stains, and odors that a vacuum or home steamer just can’t eliminate. If you have pets or allergies, professional cleaning should be performed every two to four months. 

For beautiful, professionally steam cleaned carpets in the Rochester, NY, area, choose Gray's Carpet Cleaning Inc. This experienced team has served the Rochester area for over 100 years. Fully insured and BBB-accredited, they offer environmentally friendly cleaning options. Call (585) 473-4947 for a free estimate, or visit their website to see a full range of services.