Carpeted stairs feel wonderful underfoot and lend a homely air to even the most austere of properties but can be difficult to maintain in good condition, owing to the wear and tear they suffer over time. However, if you would like to ensure that your carpeted stairs remain in excellent condition for many years to come, without having to call in the local carpet repair experts on a regular basis, there are some preventative measures you can take. In today’s article, we discuss the best ways to protect the carpeting on your stairs from unnecessary wear and tear. We also have some advice for homeowners who may have left it a little too late and are now faced with severely worn or stained carpeting.
Carpeted Stairs Protection Advice from Our Arvada Carpet Cleaning and Repair Technicians
The following tips are provided by our team of carpet repair and cleaning specialists in Arvada. You may be in a position to try all of the suggestions or it may only be practical for you to try just one or two. In either case, the measures you take should extend the useful lifespan of the carpeting on your stairs and save you a significant amount of money in the process.
Install Clear Stair Treads
Although stair treads are more often used on wooden, tiled or stone stairs, it is also possible to purchase clear treads that are designed specifically for carpeted stairs. For staircases that see a lot of foot traffic on a daily basis (e.g. the main staircase in a large family home), clear stair treads can prevent premature wear without spoiling the overall appearance of the carpeting. We would however, like to issue a word of warning before you rush out to buy new stair treads for your carpeted stairs: make absolutely sure that the treads you purchase are designed specifically for carpeted surfaces. Those that are designed to be installed on hardwood, tiled or stone stairs will not grip the carpeting on your stairs properly and will therefore be a slip hazard.
Have Your Carpeting Cleaned by Professionals
Having your carpeted stairs cleaned by a team of specialists with a truck-mounted steam cleaning machine will also help to ensure they do not suffer from premature wear and tear. Industrial carpet cleaning machines are able to extract dust, dirt and other pollutants from deep within the pile of stair carpeting. After a really deep clean, your stair carpeting will not only look and smell much better, it will also be protected against excessive wear caused by the treading in of small stones, grit and other debris that makes its way inside your home on the soles of your shoes. And don’t forget: if you are looking for carpet cleaning companies in Arvada that you can rely on to do a first-class job every time, it will be our pleasure to provide you with all the services you require.
Install Curtains or Blinds in Nearby Windows
Whether you have small windows by the side of the staircase itself or larger windows nearby, you can prolong the life of your carpeting by installing blinds or curtains in these windows. The less direct sunlight your stair carpeting receives, the less it will fade over time. This is particularly true of delicate, pastel-colored carpeting that has not been treated with any kind of UV-resistant spray. If you are not very keen on the idea of installing blinds or curtains, you might like to consider applying UV-protection film to the windows in question instead.
Vacuum Regularly
Whilst vacuuming will not remove as much dirt and debris as a visit from a professional carpet or rug cleaning company, it will help to minimize the amount of sharp particles that make their way deep into the pile in between these visits. For best results we recommend vacuuming your stair carpeting more frequently than other areas of your home that receive less foot traffic. For particularly busy households, daily vacuuming is well worth considering. It should only take you a few minutes and could add years to the lifespan of your carpeting.
Clean Any Liquid Spillages Immediately
If you spill a drink (or something worse such as oil or grease) on your carpeted stairs, we urge you to deal with it straight away. The longer you allow liquid spillages to soak into the fibers of the carpeting, the harder it will be to get it all out and the likelihood of permanent stains will be much greater. For most spillages, the best way to deal with them is to first blot up any excess liquid with a clean, absorbent cloth then apply a 1:1 mix of white vinegar and water to the affected area. Leave this solution to soak into the fibers for roughly 10 minutes then blot once more with a clean cloth. If one application of the solution does not completely remove the stain, simply repeat these steps until you are happy with the result and finish by drying the area with a towel. It is important to ensure the fibers are completely dry when you have finished cleaning, to avoid potential issues with mold in the future.
Apply a Carpet Protector Spray
Spray-on carpet protectors such as those made by Scotchgard help to prevent stains from liquid spillages and will make the task of cleaning them up much easier than would otherwise be the case. If you have young children at home or you are just particularly clumsy, it is well worth investing in one of these water repellent sprays and applying it to your stair carpeting once every six months or so. You should also use it after every visit from your local carpet cleaning specialists as a deep clean with a truck mounted steam cleaning machine will remove the protective coating along with all the dirt, dust, and debris that is hiding in the carpet fibers.
If you are looking for trustworthy carpet cleaning companies in Arvada, or a local carpet repair service that represents great value for money, please do not hesitate to call and speak to us whenever convenient. We offer a full range of carpet and rug cleaning services in the area, together with professional repair and restoration services for all types of rugs and carpets.