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How to Keep High Traffic Carpet Areas Clean

Here are simple tips on how to keep high traffic carpet areas clean.

There is no getting around it. If you have a carpeted home, your carpets will become dirty from time to time. Carpets in high-traffic areas get the worst treatment since they are constantly bombarded with foot traffic, spills, and accidents, which can lead to stains.

Unfortunately, these high-traffic areas are typically the most seen, too. This means, not only should you clean your carpet on a regular basis, but you also need to know how to keep high traffic carpet areas clean.

Carpets in high-traffic areas should be cleaned often to avoid long-lasting stains. Vacuum weekly and do a deep clean every few months. Keep surrounding areas clean and promote going barefoot inside or wiping shoes on a doormat before walking on the carpet. Protect the carpet with Teflon or a rug.

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Whether you live alone or with a rowdy family, your carpets are subject to wear and tear. Carpets in high-traffic areas are especially prone to getting dirty and stained since they are used the most.

Luckily, there are ways to keep high traffic areas of your carpet clean and protect them against future accidents or dirt. Join us as we explain how to maintain the carpets in your high-traffic areas.

How to Keep High Carpet Clean in High Traffic Areas

There are two basic ways to keep your carpet clean in high traffic areas. One way to do that is by protecting these areas from dirt and the second is by actually cleaning the carpet.

Protecting Carpets in High-Traffic Areas

Carpets in high-traffic areas tend to become worn and dirty more quickly than those in quieter areas of the house. You must keep them clean and take regular, proactive steps to protect them.

Use a Doormat

By placing a doormat at your entrances, you encourage family members and guests to wipe their shoes before entering the home and walking on your carpet.

Since our shoes collect a fair amount of dirt from outside, using a doormat protects our carpets from receiving that dirt.

Go Barefoot

Encourage the family and guests to take their shoes off when entering the home. This practice is used in many homes worldwide and helps keep carpets clean.

Consider having a dedicated shelf or shoe tray. You can keep it beside the door for easy access.

Apply Teflon

Teflon is a treatment that can be applied to carpets, especially in high-traffic parts of the house. It is applied by professionals and is a safe, non-toxic spray. Teflon is safe for pets and children and does not have an odor.

It is best to have a Teflon treatment applied to your carpet directly after a professional cleaning. The treatment will help keep your carpet looking clean and fresh for long after the cleaning.

Use Rugs/Runners

If your carpet is abused by foot traffic and dirt, you might consider using rugs or runners. I actually prefer vinyl plastic runner protectors because they are easier to clean.

These movable accessories can assist in keeping your carpets protected. They bear the brunt of the dirt and wear, keeping the carpet below pristine.

Scotchgard Carpet Protector

You can use Scotchgard carpet protector to easily get rid of carpet stains, while protecting the carpet by blocking stains from setting into the carpet fibers. It comes in a spray can, making it easy to use and you can use it on old or new carpet.

Keep Surrounding Areas Clean

A sure way to protect your carpets is by keeping the surrounding areas clean. Sweep, vacuum, and mop hard floors near your carpeted areas to prevent dirt from transferring to your delicate carpets.

Clean your outside areas to avoid dust and dirt blowing inside and onto your carpets. Having a clean outdoor space also minimizes the amount of dirt carried in by pets and your family.

Cleaning Dirty Carpets in High-Traffic Areas

Cleaning your carpets should be a routine part of your cleaning schedule. Carpets are a catch-all for dust, hair, and other small particles. They must be maintained if you are to get the best use out of them for a long time.

Aim to vacuum your carpet around once a week. If there is a significant spill or accident within a week, you will need to take action as it happens. By vacuuming your carpet well, you will eradicate the dirt that could become stains.

You should deep clean your carpets or have them professionally cleaned every six months or so. If a family member has allergies to dust or pet hair, it is advisable to wash your carpets more often. In this case, you could clean them as often as every two or three months, depending on the severity of the allergies.

General cleaning should suffice for carpets in areas that are not used very much. Vacuum weekly, and they should look great.

You will need to intensify your cleaning efforts in areas with a great deal of foot traffic. Footprints, dirt from pets, spills, and general use make your most used places look worn and grimy.

You can use store bought carpet cleaners or make your own.

Making and Using Your Own Cleaning Solution

If you want to try a cleaning solution made from ingredients you likely have at home, you can try a solution of baking soda, white vinegar, dish soap, and water.

Using a solution with white vinegar and baking soda is a great way to save money and clean in an eco-friendly way. It is also safer for your lungs and those of your family and pets.

To make a detergent at home, follow these steps:

  • Place one cup of distilled white vinegar, one cup of warm water, and a few squeezes of liquid dish soap in a container.
  • Mix the solution and pour it into a spray bottle.
  • Sprinkle a fair amount of baking soda over the stain or dirty mark.
  • Spray the water solution over the layer of baking soda.
  • Allow it to react.
  • Let the solution get to work on the carpet for around fifteen minutes or until the reaction has stopped.
  • Blot or dab the solution with a paper towel or wet cloth.
  • Keep wiping the area until all the solution and the marks are gone.
  • If the marks persist, repeat the process.

Only Wet Carpets Enough to Clean Them

When cleaning dirty carpets, be sure not to wet them too much. When carpets become overly wet, the base may shrink, causing your carpet to pull up at the sides away from the wall.

Overly wet carpets can also become flat or darker in color than they are supposed to be.

Use a Steam Cleaner

You may wish to use a steam cleaner every six to twelve months in addition to your vacuuming and cleaning.

Steaming your carpets is a fantastic way to eliminate stubborn germs and dust that settle deep inside the carpet fibers.

Vacuum the carpet before steam cleaning. Use a spray bottle with a mixture of water and vinegar. Lightly spray problem areas and then begin using the steam cleaner.

Ensure the carpet is completely dry before walking on it or replacing any furniture.

Final Thoughts

Keeping your carpets clean is an ongoing project requiring dedication and time, energy, and monetary investment. Vacuum your high-traffic carpet areas weekly, clean them every few months, and steam clean them.

Use strategies to protect your carpets and enforce rules within the home to get the whole family onboard with looking after the carpets.

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