The last time we talked about DIY carpet care here on the Aquamist blog, we were focusing on older carpets. After all, older carpet needs a lot more work to keep it looking fresh. But let’s not ignore new carpet here. New carpets are wonderful! They look good, they smell fresh, and they feel great on the toes early in the morning.
New carpet is not without its own maintenance however, and knowing a few tricks can help you get the most out of your new carpets for the long term.
Know the New Carpet Warranty
New carpet typically means a new warranty, but not all warranties are built equally. Be sure you know what is involved with your carpets warranty. Some will dictate a cleaning regimen that requires them to be professionally cleaned at certain intervals, and vacuumed daily or weekly. Some warranties will even be voided by using the wrong type of vacuum.
Reading the small print can be a headache sometimes, but it’s worth it if you can avoid an even bigger headache down the road.
Schedule Cleanings Months in Advance
After you have learned the ins and outs of your carpets warranty program, you will know how often it will require a specialized cleaning. Yes, you can trust yourself to remember that in time, but it’s so much easier to arrange an appointment today. Scheduling your carpet cleaning ahead of time gives you a few distinct advantages.
- You won’t forget to book later on
- Greater availability means your appointment will easily suit your schedule
- Setting up a regular maintenance schedule can help you to negotiate reduced rates for carpet cleaning
Breaking in New Carpet
New carpet is wonderful, but there may be a few annoyances that creep up. Some new carpets will shed. Sometimes a new carpet will build up more static than you were used to. Sometimes all it is, is a carpet fiber sticking out where it shouldn’t. Well here’s what to do about it:
Shedding Carpet
Don’t worry. This is normal. Small bits of fiber or fluff can show up on top of the carpet, or in your vacuum cleaner bag, but this doesn’t mean your new carpet is going bald. Those bits are just leftover from the manufacturing process. Keep up a regular routine of vacuuming, and the shedding should stop before the year is done.
Carpet Static
A buildup of static happens when the humidity of the room is low. Dry air leads to more static. New carpet actually contributes to lowering the humidity of the room, so a bit of static is no surprise. Using a humidifier can help to alleviate the problem.
Out of Place Fibers
Every once in a while, there’s a fiber or two that stick out after a new carpet is installed. They are the carpet equivalent of Dennis the Menace hair. They are annoying. DO NOT PULL AT THEM. Trying to pull out a piece of carpet can damage other neighboring fibers. Instead, get a pair of scissors. Lift up the offender so it stands straight, and trim it to size.
Again with any of these tips, it is of utmost importance to know your warranty. If the warranty says no humidifiers or scissors, then the warranty rules will always come first. In the meantime, enjoy your new carpet. Call us anytime, and we can help to set up a convenient maintenance schedule for you.