When you have carpets, you know that they get dirty fast. They collect dust, crumbs, and other debris every day! They can even trap allergens.

The key to avoiding allergies (and keeping your house looking nice) when it comes to carpets is cleaning them the right way. Are you a cleaning expert or are you making common carpet cleaning errors?

We’re here to talk about a few mistakes that people make during their regular carpet cleaning sessions. Read on to learn more.

1. Doing It Too Infrequently

Did you know that cleaning your carpet more often can keep it in better condition long-term? If you don’t want to have to replace your carpets before they “live out their full lifespan,” make sure that you’re cleaning often.

Your carpet cleaning schedule will depend on your lifestyle and household. If you have pets, children, or a lot of roommates, you may have to clean your living room carpet every other day or at least twice per week.

If you live alone or with one other person and have no pets (or a pet that doesn’t shed much), you may be able to get away with weekly carpet cleaning. 

You should also consider professional carpet cleaning or a full deep-clean at least once per year to refresh your carpet and give yourself a blank slate.

2. Using Too Much Liquid

Sometimes vacuuming your carpet isn’t enough. If your rooms smell musty and your carpet doesn’t feel “clean,” you need to do a deep clean. 

You can use a steam cleaner or use liquid products, but be careful not to use too much liquid or to let it sit for a long time. This can cause the underside of your carpet (and the floor beneath it) to get moldy. 

If possible, open your windows or turn on a fan after you dampen your carpet to help dry it faster.

3. Letting Stains Sit

Sometimes cleaning up right after something spills is inconvenient. If you don’t, however, you can end up with stubborn stains on carpets, even if the product wouldn’t normally leave a stain if you removed it right away.

Regardless of what spills on the carpet, blot it as soon as possible and use a stain-removing product to get rid of anything left over. Don’t scrub too hard when you use the stain remover or you may spread it out. 

4. Using the Wrong Products

Speaking of using carpet cleaning products, make sure that you’re using the right ones for your carpet.

Carpet fresheners, for example, can cause buildup if you don’t vacuum them well. It may be better to use baking soda (which will still leave your carpet fresh). If your carpets aren’t white, avoid any products that could potentially bleach or discolor them. 

Always read the labels of your cleaning products before using them. 

Avoid These Common Carpet Cleaning Errors

Is it time to do your weekly cleaning session? Keep these carpet cleaning errors in mind so you don’t ruin your carpets! Clean up messes right away, vacuum often, use the right products, and don’t let liquids sit.

Pull out the vacuum and get to work!

For more helpful articles about maintaining a home and more, visit the rest of our site.