Approaching The Challenges Of Cleaning Frieze Carpeting
Frieze carpet certainly looks stunning with its long, luxurious fibers. It also feels comforting and soft under your feet. Yet the main challenge with this type of carpeting is keeping it clean. Its long fibers are good at masking dirt and debris, but just because you can't see them on the surface does not mean it's a healthy idea to leave them there. Here are some tips to help you better approach the challenges of keeping frieze carpet clean.
Vacuum in several directions.
The long, soft frieze fibers tend to "lie down" as you vacuum over them, which allows them to form a sort-of blanket over the dirt that's hiding beneath them. If you only vacuum in one direction, you won't suck this dirt out. So get in the habit of vacuuming in one direction, and then turning around and vacuuming in the perpendicular direction. It's a good idea to vacuum on the diagonals sometimes, too, so you don't miss anything.
Hire a professional carpet cleaner.
At-home carpet shampooers work well for shorter-fibered carpets, but their suction is just not strong enough to remove water from frieze carpets effectively. If you use an at-home shampooer, your carpet may end up staying moist for too long – and this can cause it to mold! A professional carpet cleaning service will have stronger suction equipment so the water is more effectively removed. Plus, their steam cleaners can reach deeper into the fibers, removing any debris that may be trapped down there.
Stay away from powdered deodorizers.
Powdered deodorizers, which are often baking soda-based, help remove odors from most other carpets. But their fine, powdery texture makes them stick to the long frieze fibers and work their way inside. If you sprinkle baking soda on a frieze carpet, you may never be able to get it all up! Use a spray-on, evaporating deodorizer instead. First, test it on a small, hidden spot to ensure it does not bleach or stain your carpet. A mixture of 50/50 white vinegar and water will also work. Your room will smell like vinegar at first, but once the vinegar dries, it should leave behind a clean, fresh scent.
Be vigilant about blotting when you have a spill.
When you have a spill, you should be able to use a traditional carpet stain remover to deal with it. But make sure you spend extra time blotting to ensure you absorb all of the liquid from the carpet fibers. Setting a big, puffy towel on top of the spill and stepping on it is a good strategy!