Regular cleaning is essential if you want your carpet to stay in good shape. Not only will this keep the carpet from developing stains and a dingy look, it will also keep the fibers in good shape by preventing the friction that occurs between them when they are dirty. But while all carpets require regular cleaning, it's important to tailor your technique to the type of carpet you're dealing with. Certain techniques can do more harm than good when used on the wrong type of carpet! Here are some specific tips for cleaning various types of carpet.

Wool Carpets

Wool carpets are often valued for their beauty and longevity. They've experienced a recent surge in popularity because they are made from a natural material that fits in with many homeowners' goals of sustainability. However, wool carpets are tough to clean properly because if they stay wet for too long after washing, they will shrink. To prevent this from happening, you can hire a carpet cleaning professional who uses a dry cleaning method rather than conventional water extraction. Chem-Dry is a good example.

When spot-cleaning a wool carpet, you want to avoid conventional carpet stain removers, as they may damage the fibers. Instead, prepare your own spot-treatment mixture by dissolving a teaspoon of wool-safe laundry detergent in a cup of water. Spray it on the stain, and then blot the stained area to soak it up. 

Dark Carpets

Many people think dark-colored carpets are easy to keep clean because they hide dirt. But in fact, they come with their own unique set of cleaning challenges. When you shampoo a dark-colored carpet, you'll want to do a second rinse with clean water. This will make sure all of the shampoo residue is suctioned up so it does not give your carpet a dusty, overcast look. Also, make sure you always test stain removers in an inconspicuous area before using them on a dark carpet. Some of them might bleach the color out of the fibers!

Light Carpets

Light carpets are notorious for being difficult to keep clean, but following these tips will help. First, make sure you're vacuuming several times a week to remove dirt and dust particles before they get worked into the fibers, where they'll create a more permanent stain. If you hire a professional carpet cleaner, request that they use dry cleaning solutions, like Chem-Dry, rather than water extraction methods. This will reduce the risk of mold forming on your carpet after cleaning, which is important since even a tiny mold spot will be painfully obvious on a light-colored carpet.

Berber Carpets

Berber carpets differ from ordinary carpets in the way that the fibers are arranged. Instead of being left free, the carpet fibers are looped to create a very dense carpet. Berber is great for high-traffic areas, but it does require careful care. You should never vacuum or shampoo your Berber carpet with a brush attachment, as this may fray the looped fibers. Do vacuum often, too, since it's very difficult to remove dirt once it settles in beneath the exterior of the fibers.

If your Berber carpet is made from olefin, it's best to have it steam cleaned. This material will dry quite quickly, so you do not have to worry about molding. On the other hand, if you have a nylon Berber carpet, it's best to have it dry cleaned. Nylon tends to trap moisture when the fibers are arranged in a loop pattern as they are in a Berber carpet. If you were to steam clean a nylon Berber, it might develop mold.

If you have questions about the best way to clean your unique type of carpet, reach out to the professionals at a local carpet cleaning company.