As anybody who has ever carefully picked out and bought a brand new carpet will know, those first few weeks are a litany of dangers and hazards. If a friend or relative even looks at a cup of tea, it sends a cold shiver down your spine, because you know that a spill could be the result. You diligently remove your shoes when you enter the room and make sure that everybody else does too.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to tiptoe around a brand new carpet forever. There will come a time when drinks are toppled, pets drag in dirt, and guests forget to go barefoot. And anyway, you are supposed to enjoy having a new carpet, not wrap it in plastic. So, the question is, how do you incorporate a new carpet into your everyday life, but also take steps to protect and maintain it?
This guide to buying and caring for new carpets in Stowmarket will help you find the right balance between maintenance and comfort.
Remove Furniture Marks with Ice Cubes
One of the most frustrating things about laying a new carpet is then instantly having to place a roomful of heavy furniture right down on top. If you are on the hunt for high quality carpets in Stowmarket, but want to avoid this kind of future damage, here is a neat little trick. To remove those pesky indentations found when rearranging furniture, place an ice cube on top and wait for it to melt. Once it has, brush the fibres with your fingertips; a wire brush is far too harsh for this job. Leave to dry and then vacuum over the spot. You should find that the indentation has disappeared.
Roll Up Area Rugs to Keep Wood Even
If you have hardwood flooring in your home, it is a good idea to protect it with an area rug. This is especially important if there are spots which are exposed to bright sunlight during the summer. Otherwise, the colour of the wood will fade and change as it reacts to the light. Ultimately, this is a natural and inevitable process, but area rugs slow it right down by acting as a barrier. However, to keep the colour of the wood completely even, it is also a good idea to periodically roll up your area rug and let the concealed floor breathe for a while. That way, when you come to change your area rug or remove it altogether, the tone will be healthy.
Buy Extra Carpet for the Staircase
This is a really handy trick and one which not many homeowners consider when shopping for carpets in Stowmarket. The carpeting on stairs will always wear much faster than it does in other areas. This is a high traffic region, which sees heavier footfall than usual, and it tends to fray and fade right in the middle, as you would expect. Despite this, few people ever think about buying replacement carpet for their stairs, even though there is no guarantee that the same colour and design will be available when it is inevitably needed. It is an economical and practical idea to invest in space carpet for the stairs. It will always be needed eventually, it should not cost very much to buy a little extra, and it means that you do not have to entirely re-carpet the hallway to make a match.
Use Baking Soda to Kill Odours
Whilst this carpet hack is a fairly popular one, it is worth mentioning because it is so effective. If you need to eradicate unwanted odours (cooking, cigarette smoke, pets, etc.), simply sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda directly onto the carpet. After 2-3 hours, the smell should be completely gone. To remove the baking soda, all you have to do is run the vacuum cleaner over the carpet. It could not be simpler, so say goodbye to nasty smells with nothing more than an ingredient which is probably sitting at the back of your kitchen cupboard right now.
For more magic carpet hacks, tips, and tricks, visit Harts Carpets today. Or, to arrange a free measuring service for vinyl flooring, wooden floors, and carpets in Stowmarket, pick up the phone and call 01473 241300.