Every home has them – high traffic areas with lots of foot traffic and activity. Entryways come to mind here, as well as kitchens and hallways. High traffic areas tend to get dirtier than other areas of the home, and if those areas are carpeted, the carpeting can look grimy and worn down in no time.
So how can you keep carpeting in high traffic areas clean and in good condition? Here are a few tips that will help.
Use Door Mats and Area Rugs
Be sure to use door mats at all doors and entryways – they can help catch much of the dirt, debris and germs that can be tracked in from the outside. Otherwise the dirt that gets brought into the house will get trapped in the carpet fibers, and in high traffic areas that dirt will be ground in especially deep and will be difficult to get out. Oh, and pets can bring in dirt from outdoors, as well – wipe their feet after bringing them inside.
Area rugs can also help prevent dirt and debris from getting into carpeting. A few strategically placed rugs can help prevent premature wear and tear of carpets and keep them cleaner.
Take Off Your Shoes
We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again – not wearing shoes on your carpeting is the best way to keep it in tip-top shape. Leave your shoes at the door and go barefoot, or walk around in your socks or a pair of indoor slippers. And make sure your guests follow this rule, too – who knows what kind of grime they have on the bottom of their shoes!
Keep a shoe rack by each entryway as a reminder to remove your shoes before coming inside. And if for some reason you need to keep your shoes on indoors, at least try to keep a “no shoes on the carpet” policy. You can also set aside a pair of indoor-only shoes to wear around the house if you need extra support for your feet and can’t go barefoot or wear slippers.
Vacuum Daily
Vacuum high traffic areas once a day, if at all possible. We know it’s a task most people don’t enjoy, but it will really help keep your carpet cleaner. If you have area rugs, be sure to vacuum both them and the carpeting beneath them. You’ll want to shake your area rugs outside first to loosen up any dirt and debris, then vacuum thoroughly.
Clean Up Accidents Immediately
Spills on your carpeting? Dirt tracked in on your shoes? Clean it up right away! If you wait too long, the stains can set in and become harder to get out. This is especially important for high traffic areas, since foot traffic can grind the dirt deeper into the carpet fibers. These spot removal tips can help prevent stains from sticking around in your carpeting permanently.
Rearrange Your Furniture
Channel your inner interior designer and move your furniture around every so often. This will create new high traffic areas and give your old ones a break from the constant foot traffic. It will also ensure that your carpeting will wear more evenly.
Get Professional Carpet Cleaning
A professional cleaning can bring those high traffic areas in your carpeting back to life. We offer both carpet and area rug cleaning throughout the Denver metro area. Our powerful truck-mounted steam cleaning system removes tough set-in stains and odors, and can help your investment last longer. Contact us today to schedule a professional cleaning and we’ll have your carpeting looking as good as new in no time!
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