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5 Ways to Prevent Traffic Lanes in Your Carpet
Who doesn’t love professional carpet cleaning? The fresh smell, the feel of revitalized carpet under your feet, the relief of being rid of those unsightly spots; Our customers certainly appreciate how pristine their floors look after we’re done cleaning them, and one of their most pressing questions is how to keep them that way.
Eventually, even the most expensive and well-maintained piece of carpeting will begin to show wear. This is especially true in the high-traffic areas of your home, like the paths you walk on every day. These areas might look like they are just a little bit dirtier (and that might be true) but a visible wear pattern is actual damage to the carpet fibers themselves. What you’re seeing is damaged, worn-down carpet! Dirt is the main culprit here; tiny pieces of dirt are actually quite sharp and get ground into the carpeting with each step we take. So now that we know what they are, how do we prevent wear patterns in carpets?
1. Frequently Vacuum Your Carpets
The best way to prevent wear patterns in your carpet is to keep it as clean as possible for as long as possible. Depending on the foot traffic your floors get, you’ll want to vacuum frequently and (most importantly) regularly. High-volume businesses especially should vacuum carpeted areas daily to keep them looking their best. Since dirt particles are responsible for 99% of traffic pattern damage, vacuuming is a huge step in keeping wear patterns from forming. While it depends on how much activity goes on in your home, there really isn’t such a thing as vacuuming too much. Pay special attention to the areas that attract the most dirt, such as the transitions from carpet to other surfaces like tile or wood that don’t capture nearly as much dirt. And don’t forget your stairs - the ledge of each step is another area where carpet wear is prevalent because that’s where the pad underneath the carpeting is the thinnest (and also where everyone steps).
2. Don’t Wear Shoes on Your Carpet
A huge but easy method to prolong the life of your carpeting is to take your shoes off right when you enter the house. Many homes have an entry mat for you to wipe your feet on when entering, and that can help, but it takes an average of 25 steps to remove all the dirt from the bottom of your shoes. This would require a much longer entry rug than is probably feasible in your home, so taking off your shoes is probably a much easier solution. Use door mats on any door that leads outside, and make sure to use them! You can also make it a habit to take off your shoes when inside. No dirty shoes, no dirt getting into your carpet.
3. Keep Hard Floor Surfaces Just as Clean as Your Carpet
Dirt sticks to carpet, but it slides right off hard surfaces like hardwood and tile. Keep these floors clean, and you won’t have to worry about transferring soil to your carpets.
4. Have Your Carpets Professionally Cleaned
Since carpet fibers do a great job of hiding dirt, professional hot-water extraction cleaning should be scheduled regularly. Even if your floors don’t look soiled, dirt could still be hidden away, damaging carpet fibers and creating those horrible wear patterns. Even if you take these important steps, eventually the carpet will begin to show wear. Regular professional carpet cleaning can remove much more dirt than a home vacuum can, further preventing carpet wear.
5. Protect Your Investment
After each cleaning, make sure you have the carpet protectant reapplied. This acts as a barrier for the fibers of the carpeting, making it harder for the dirt itself to damage the fibers. While all carpeting wears with time, these simple measures will help prevent wear patterns and traffic lanes in your home, extending the life of your carpet!
With these tips, you should be able to form a maintenance plan that will help keep your carpets wear-free throughout their lifetime. If you still have questions, or would like a plan from the pros, contact Modernistic for all your carpet maintenance needs! Modernistic has been extending the life of carpet in Michigan homes since 1973! Click or call to find out how we can help keep your carpet looking like new.