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The Most Common Ways Carpets are Damaged
TL;DR
- High-quality carpets are popular, long-lasting flooring, but still wear out over time due to use and the environment.
- Common appearance detractors include ground-in dirt, abrasion from traffic, oxidation, oily films, insects, fungi, chemicals, and moisture.
- Dry soils, such as dust and clay, can be removed with regular vacuuming, but oily soils, body fluids, and food spills can cause stubborn stains and damage.
- Dragging heavy or sharp items can tear or crush carpet, so use protective coverings when moving furniture.
- UV rays from direct sunlight cause discoloration, and regular professional maintenance helps protect and preserve your carpet investment.
High-quality carpets are designed and manufactured to last longer, and all people want them to last forever. However, like any product, carpets may wear out eventually because of a wide variety of factors. Indeed, they are popular household items among Americans because they are 48% of the total U.S. flooring market. Here below, in this article, your trusted professionals on carpet cleaning in Charlotte, NC, list some common carpet issues and some DIY measures to prevent and fix possible damage to them.
Carpet Manufacturing: A Background
According to carpet manufacturing experts, almost all carpets produced in the United States are made from four fiber materials: Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, and some natural fibers. In this context, the development of industry standards in the country allowed mass production of high quality, comfortable, and beautiful carpets thanks to the incorporation of broadloom tufted machines since the 1950s. For this reason, carpets are now less expensive and better products. Now, these items are widely used for commercial purposes in many facilities and residential units worldwide. And they went from being luxury items with decorative purposes to mass consumer products.
Primary Causes of Damage to Floor Coverings
As mentioned above, carpets are now mass consumer products, and they can be more prone to damage than in the past. Currently, carpets have a protective function and other purposes related to air filtration and noise reduction. In this way, knowing the primary causes of damage to your floor coverings is vital to avoid and prevent them. In the first instance, it is crucial to slow down the wear process and keep your carpet looking and feeling new for a long time.
Detractors of Appearance
According to some studies, floor surface coverings experience many “detractors of appearance,” among which are the following factors:
- Grinding of dirt
- Abrasion due to traffic
- Oxidizing effects from the environment (Atmosphere)
- The formation of oily films caused by spills and oil Skins
- Attack by insects, fungi, other microorganisms, and animals
- Stains produced by accidental contacts with specific products
- Detergents, chemicals, and other solutions
- Moisture and extreme variations of humidity and temperature
Dirt and Fluids
Grinding and friction caused by dirt are some of the most common reasons why new carpeting frays quickly. It happens when the carpet is dirty, and it causes friction against its fibers when experiencing traffic. On the other hand, when carpets are soiled, they hold two components: dry and oily soil. The first component is made up of clay, dust, and silicates, which are dry agents that can destroy the carpet’s appearance. However, these solid contaminants can be removed by regular vacuuming. And oily soil includes substances such as greases and fats that act as binders and severely impair the product’s look.
Besides, fluids from food, urine, blood, vomit and skin oils can be the most difficult to remove stains from carpets. Even the best carpet cleaning professionals may face many challenges when specialized treatment is required.
Dragging Heavy and Sharp items on Carpets
Handling heavy objects along a house can be a routine for many homeowners. And sometimes, they tend to move, relocate, or place new furniture. However, these activities pose a significant risk because the flooring can quickly get damaged. In this sense, the best way to prevent these occurrences is by using a canvas tarp or a cloth to protect the carpet against any damage caused by dragging heavy objects.
UV Rays
Carpets can experience discoloration because of UV exposure caused by direct sunlight. Therefore, it is recommended to install curtains or other products to reduce sunlight exposure.
Finally, proper maintenance performed by your trusted professional on carpet cleaning in Charlotte, NC, is vital to preserving your investment.
Have questions?
How often should I have my carpet professionally cleaned?
It depends on your lifestyle. Do you have children and/or pets? Do you entertain frequently? Major carpet manufacturers recommend that residential carpets be professionally cleaned every 12-18 months, depending on your lifestyle. Certainly, carpets with a lot of “traffic’ need to be cleaned more often than those with less traffic. Also, certain areas of your home need more frequent cleaning. The family room requires more cleaning than the guest bedroom, for example. Some families have their heavy traffic areas cleaned three or more times per year.
My carpet is 3 years old and I've never had it cleaned. It doesn't look dirty. Should I have it cleaned anyway?
There are two main reasons to have your carpet cleaned even if it doesn’t look dirty: (1) health concerns and (2) life expectancy of your carpet. Indoor air experts say. “Once carpet looks dirty, it is really filthy. Filthy carpet can be a health risk, especially since most people spend 90% of their time indoors. Dirty carpet contributes to poor indoor air quality and poor indoor air quality can make you sick. Those with allergies especially need a clean environment. Dirt is an abrasive and actually cuts your carpet fibers. By the time your carpet looks dirty, serious and expensive damage has begun to occur.
Is steam cleaning safe for my carpets?
Most major carpet manufacturers recommend steam cleaning. The proper term is hot water extraction. Be careful, though. Steam cleaning got its bad reputation because poorly trained carpet cleaners using inferior, portable equipment often left the carpet too wet, taking days to dry! This should not be the case. Properly trained, IICRC certified technicians with truck-mounted equipment should get the best results.
How long do I need to stay off my carpets after they have been cleaned?
It is recommended that you keep children and pets off freshly cleaned carpets until carpets are dry. We provide shoe covers (to be worn over your shoes) at no extra charge if you need to immediately walk on your carpet.
How long does the service take?
If you are looking for an average, consider about 20 minutes per room. Of course the time can vary greatly depending upon the size of the room, the amount of furniture that needs to be moved, if the carpet has been cleaned recently, how dirty the carpet is and if there is any spot treatments necessary.
Once we know the scope of the work, we will give you an estimate based upon our experience.
Can steam cleaning help with allergies?
Regularly steam cleaning your rugs and carpets can be extremely beneficial to allergy sufferers. If you suffer from an allergy to dust mites, mold or a ton of other organisms, steam carpet cleaning will greatly reduce your allergic reactions in your home. You can use steam cleaning in bathrooms, kitchens and nearly any other surface in your home as well. So it is great for more than carpet.
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