Keeping Your Carpets Clean During the Holidays
New carpets are great for holiday gatherings when the weather starts to get cold. They provide a comfortable, warm surface for hanging out on and they give your space a gorgeous foundation. But with little children running around and some relatives imbibing on too much holiday cheer, there are bound to be some accidents on the carpet. The ultimate way to avoid accidents is to purchase a stain resistant carpet, but if that’s not a cost effective option, there are some alternatives. Here are some tips to prevent stains and dirt from ruining your new carpets during the holidays.
Leave Shoes at the Door
Place a large rug or a shoe rack near your front door and provide some clean slippers or socks. Ask your guests to remove their shoes and place them in the designated area. This will prevent wet shoes that were trudging through the snow or mud from making tracks on your flooring.
Vacuum and Deodorize
Vacuum before and after a party to prevent buildup. Leaving a dirty area untreated may make it worse. For a thorough vacuuming, go over the carpet with three vacuum strokes per section. If it is a heavily soiled spot, it won’t hurt to add up to seven more vacuum strokes. Regular vacuuming and reacting quickly to spills and stains will help keep your carpets looking fresh and clean.
To freshen your carpets before your guests arrive, eliminate stains or odors. Use a clean towel or rag and press over the stain. Wet the towel with a little tap water and blot it over the stain until the spot is completely gone. Afterwards, sprinkle some baking soda, which will eliminate the odor, over the carpet. Leave the baking soda on overnight. The next morning, vacuum up the baking soda. Spraying a fabric/carpet freshener or tea tree oil is a quick, last minute fix to get rid of carpet odors and freshen with a just-cleaned scent. This is a really great option if you're running behind or if company is arriving on short notice.
Use Sturdy Glassware and Finger Foods Before Dinner
Family and friends tend to flock to the living room before dinner. Instead of preventing your guests from being merry and mingling on your carpets, plan ahead with proper glassware and appetizers. Offer your guests wine in stemless glasses, which are stronger than those with thin stems, and prevent from being accidentally knocked over. Serve appetizers that have a smaller chance of making a mess on your carpet, like almonds, cheese and crackers and sliced bread with oven roasted tomatoes.
Hire a Professional Carpet Cleaner
Hiring an experienced carpet cleaning professional is one of the best ways to extend the life of your carpet flooring. High quality equipment used by professional cleaners are best for trapping and removing dirt and grime that domestic vacuums might miss. It’s a good idea to have a professional cleaner come to your home at least once a year, to prepare for the next holiday gathering.
SMART Carpet and Flooring offers a variety of top quality and stain resistant carpeting that will amaze your guests during the holidays and year round! Let us bring our mobile showroom to you and we can show you flooring samples from the comfort of your home.