When you invest the money to purchase new carpeting or furniture, you want your investment to look as new as possible for as long as possible. Unfortunately, dirt and dust begin to accumulate on your new acquisition almost the minute you have it installed or bring it home from the showroom. If you have kids or pets in the house, this process is exponentially expedited. The good news is that with a little know-how and some preventative care, you can keep your carpet and your upholstery in top condition for many years to come. The first step to effective carpet and upholstery cleaning occurs when you make your initial purchase. Make sure that you have information from the manufacturer on the best ways to care for a clean your purchase. Identify the materials and fabrics used in the construction of the item, since this will determine the types of cleaning solvents and products you will need to use.



An Ounce Of Prevention Is Worth A Pound Of Cure

This old adage is invaluable to the care and cleaning of your carpet and upholstery. Regular maintenance can significantly cut down on the amount of deep cleaning you will have to do, and light, frequent cleaning can extend the life of your carpet and upholstery. Vacuum your carpet and upholstery often, and clean up spills and stains as soon as possible after they occur. There are many good choices for stain removal that are both commercial and handmade varieties. The key is to find the proper solution for the particular substance you are trying to eliminate in your carpet or upholstery clean-up.

When Spot Cleaning Is Not Enough

When you have tried vacuuming and stain removal, and your carpet or upholstery still doesn't look clean enough, it may be time to haul out the heavy equipment. You can choose to buy or rent your own carpet and upholstery cleaner, or you can hire a professional to do the job for you. Carpet and upholstery cleaners are available for rent at a number of locations, and can be fairly inexpensive to use. Often the machine itself is the least expensive part of the process ? the larger cost comes in when it is time to fill it with cleaning solutions. Most rental systems use the steam cleaning method, where steam is used to extract dirt from the carpet fibers. It is generally considered a fairly effective means of cleaning carpets and upholstery. The only drawback to DIY machines is that they require some furniture moving and elbow grease to get the job done. Most will agree that the result is worth the effort however, when you have a cleaner carpet and upholstery for minimal cost.