Carpet Care And Pets: Tips And Tools To Keep It Fresh Between Professional Cleanings
When you have pets you may find yourself having your carpets cleaned more often than you would otherwise. It is recommended to have your carpets professionally cleaned at least once a year, which you may want to increase to every 6 months or so due to pet traffic in the home. Once your flooring has been professionally shampooed and dried, your carpets look better than ever, and you want to keep them looking that way. Here are tips to take care of your carpeting between cleanings, especially when you have pets in the house.
Cover favorite areas
If your dog, cat, or other pet likes to hang out in one spot of your carpet the most, cover that area with a rug to keep it protected against hair and debris. Pets often like to lie down where the sun beats through a window or near doorways where they can be close to their human companions, and the carpeting in these areas can become dirtier and more worn than others by the constant use. Rugs are a quick and stylish remedy for this and don't disturb your pets.
Get a vacuum with a HEPA filter
You can reduce the allergens carpets can keep from your pets (hair and dander, specifically) by investing in a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter. The filter works to trap debris and odors in carpet and clear the air while in use, which can help reduce the dinginess of your carpeting that happens over time with what pets leave behind. Vacuum areas your pets frequent daily to avoid hair and dirt buildup.
Remove accident stains immediately
Pets can have accidents in your home and you want to preserve your carpeting by getting rid of the stains and odor as soon as possible. The longer a pet stain sits on carpet, the deeper it goes into the underlying fabrics and materials, making the bacteria and odor harder to remove. A home remedy for getting rid of pet stains is baking soda, water, and vinegar. Sprinkle baking soda immediately over a pet stain to neutralize odor and bacteria, then pour a solution with equal parts water and white vinegar onto the powder. The reaction of the vinegar to the baking soda (like a grade school volcano project) draws up the stain from deep within your carpeting, limiting its damage. Blot the area to dry it then vacuum it as normal. Make note of areas where pet stains occur the most so they can get special attention when your scheduled carpeting cleaning is done.