Advice for Keeping Carpets and Upholstery Clean in a Busy Household
When you have a busy family home, it can be a nightmare trying to keep everything clean, but looking after your carpets and upholstery is important – not just because it stops them from wearing out as fast and keeps your home looking good, but because it also helps to protect your family from contagions. Although things can feel overwhelming, a well-structured routine and knowing what to do in urgent situations can work as well with this aspect of running your home as it can elsewhere.
Keeping your carpets and upholstery clean can be a daunting task in a busy household. With children, pets, and guests constantly coming and going, it can seem impossible to maintain a clean home. However, with the right techniques and products, you can keep your carpets and upholstery looking like new for years to come.
One effective method for keeping carpets clean is encapsulation. Encapsulation is a process that involves applying a solution to the carpet fibers that crystallize dirt and other particles, making them easier to vacuum up. Not only does encapsulation effectively remove dirt and stains from carpets, but it also helps prolong the life of the carpet by protecting it from wear and tear.
When it comes to upholstery cleaning in a busy household, prevention is key. Consider investing in furniture covers or slipcovers that can easily be washed or replaced as needed.
This article is here to help.
Children and pets
Which is the biggest cause of mess in your home – children or pets? Sometimes both seem to do their best to create chaos, and you’ll have less trouble with both if you impose firm rules. Just as pets shouldn’t go on the furniture, children shouldn’t run around the house until they’ve removed their outdoor footwear. If either comes into the house covered in mud, they should wait by the door until they’ve been cleaned. Making sure they stick to these rules can be a hassle, but it will save you a lot of work elsewhere. But if you have a problem with pet hair, then you will want to check out the best vacuum for pet hair.
Treating stains
Inevitably, when your home is full of activity, stains will occur. Food and drink will be spilled along with more complicated substances like paint and nail varnish. Toddlers may even go to the bathroom in the wrong places. When you spot a stain, it’s important to act quickly. Many marks can be removed with soap and hot water if treated immediately, but it’s always a good idea to have a stain removal product in your home for dealing with more difficult ones. If you get something stuck to the fabric, like peanut butter or chewing gum, the best thing to do is apply ice to freeze it; when it’s cold and brittle, it will often just flake away.
However, there are those stains that can only be treated by professionals like those who do Carpet cleaning peterborough. It is better to leave the really tough stains in their hands.
Protection from pests
If you have pets or children who frequently play with other people’s pets just before returning home, it’s important to make sure that fleas don’t get into your carpets or soft furnishings. The best way to deal with this is by careful brushing at the door, but furry pets should also be regularly treated with a flea-removing shampoo and taken to a vet if they start scratching more than usual.
Day-to-day cleaning
In a busy home, you should be trying to vacuum daily or, at the very least, twice a week. Don’t just slide the vacuum cleaner around the house; make sure you also vacuum soft furniture and reach in underneath kitchen appliances, where pests can breed. Use different attachments to get into hard-to-reach places. These can also be useful for removing dust from high shelves or ledges that you can’t reach with a duster.
Deep cleaning
As well as your daily clean, you should schedule a deep clean at least once a month, ideally at a time when you can get everybody else out of the house (or rope them into helping). Use a specialist steam cleaning service to help you get the best results. You can find a highly recommended one here that will help to clean your carpets and upholstery thoroughly; this allows you to get at dirt and grime that has embedded itself deep down and resisted other attempts at removal. This approach will keep your home in tip-top condition and help to protect your family from ailments like asthma, which are often triggered by mites living on ground-in dirt.
Mats, rugs, and washable covers
Of course, the easiest way to clean fabric is simply to stick it in your washing machine. Removable cushion covers on your sofa are perfect for this and are also easier to replace when you eventually get bored of them so that you can change the look of your home at a minimal cost. Some rugs can also be washed like this, while others can be taken outside and beaten to help remove thick dirt. Placing rugs in an area where carpets get a lot of wear, such as in front of sofas where people dig their heels in when they stand up, can make cleaning easier. Thick, bristly mats in front of outer doors are ideal for encouraging people to scrub their shoes before they step onto the carpet and are relatively easy to clean by vacuuming.
By following these steps, it’s possible to stay on top of carpet and upholstery cleaning issues so that you can stop serious problems from building up. Your home will be much fresher and cleaner for it, boosting everybody’s health, and it will be a more satisfying place in which to spend your time.
I never thought about brushing my pets right before they came back inside. This does sound like a good way to keep your carpets clean and free of some bugs. I should do this with my dogs, because saving my carpets, is saving me money.
Great advice for cleaning area rugs. I have always been curious whether or not you can wash them. Good to know that you can. Thanks so much for sharing!
Steam cleaning carpets or rugs is a must! Especially since I have two cats, a dog and a toddler. I move sofas and chairs slightly to put the legs of furniture on wax paper. Thus the carpet and the furniture are protected. I also open the windows to quicken the drying process. I also shake my welcome mats really good and clean them so people don’t track pollen and other allergens inside. But it’s amazing how dirty the flat can get!
I am right with you and feel so overwhelmed with all of the stuff I have to do for my family. Honestly, my kids and my dog cause about the same amount of mess. I am going to take your advice and have my kids take off their shoes before they come inside. I need to be better at enforcing that.
Melissa, great advice that you wrote about brushing off the carpet. I guess it’s something that my kids would need to do before doing the deep cleaning. In fact, my wife and I have been thinking about maybe getting a vacuum washer that would do the deep cleaning for us.
I am definitely going to have to schedule in more deep cleans for my carpets. However, vacuuming weekly already seems like a stretch with my busy schedule. I’ll have to hire a professional cleaner to come in and steam the carpets for me, because I want my home to last!
While we often try to clean up just for the sake of the house looking nice, it is good to remember that, as you said, a dirty couch or carpet can mean contagions being spread. We often think that we’re done with cleaning after a simple wipe down or vacuum, but there are some things that build up over time that can’t be cleaned up so easily. I need to be better about scheduling a deep cleaning every month for my carpet and upholstery. I hope that ‘ll be able to keep my house cleaner and safer for my family as I follow these tips! Thanks!
My wife is a cleaning guru and has to have things cleaned in a certain way. One thing that she hasn’t had a whole lot of time to do since we have moved is clean the upholstery and carpets in in our home. I’m gong to help her do it, and this article has some great points that will help us do it in the right way.
I agree that stains are pretty much inevitable. For this reason, I think it’s vital that they’re addressed at once. That way, at least they will be minimized.
If you want perfect carpets don’t have kids and don’t get pets and even then there is no guarantee. I agree you need to treat stains right away. It can be hard when your dog makes a mess in the house and you don’t realize until later. That is why scheduled deep cleanings are also important.
once a month to do a deep clean feels like a lot. How long does it take you to deep clean to the house, always takes me ages?
Steam cleaning carpets or rugs is a must! Especially since I have two cats, a dog and a toddler. I move sofas and chairs slightly to put the legs of furniture on wax paper. Thus the carpet and the furniture are protected. I also open the windows to quicken the drying process. I also shake my welcome mats really good and clean them so people don’t track pollen and other allergens inside. But it’s amazing how dirty the flat can get!
Thanks for explaining the importance of a deep cleaning of your upholstery. It seems like it is important to occasionally use stronger cleaning materials that can remove all of the dirt and germs that are embedded into the fabric. I would think that it can be beneficial to hire a service to do this since they would likely have access to the proper cleaning products.
I have two indoor dogs and two cats that are sometimes outside and sometimes inside. With so many pets, it can be hard to keep my carpets and furniture looking clean, so I really appreciated the advice in this post. I had never thought of using ice to freeze difficult stains like like peanut butter, which is one of my dogs’ favorite treats, and I will definitely be trying this in the future. Thanks for the great tips.
Keeping the rug and carpet clean when you get super busy, I would agree can be hard. That is awesome that there are ways to effectively clean your carpets, to help them achieve the new look again. That is cool that there are protective products that you can get to keep your carpet clean for pests.
Our carpet always seems to need a deep clean, so I really appreciated these tips. I think I’ll work on being better at keeping our shoes off while we’re in the home. I really appreciate the tip to apply ice to gum in the carpet, as I know that will come in handy!
With some pest, I sometimes feel tired of cleaning. Hence, I move sofas and chairs slightly to put the legs of furniture on wax paper. Thus the carpet and the furniture are protected. I also open the windows to quicken the drying process.
Great.. thanks for sharing great article.
Hello Melissa, you really do not know how right you are about the busy households. Our family is pretty big and it is an absolute nightmare when everybody come on a holiday or to celebrate some special occasion. Yes, we are having a lot of fun but after that everything is on my head :). So, thanks for the helpful tips.
We regularly believe that we’re finished with cleaning after a straightforward wipe down or vacuum, however there are a few things that development over the long run that can’t be tidied up so effortlessly. I should be better about planning a profound cleaning each month for my floor covering and upholstery. I’ll need to contract an expert cleaner to come in and steam the floor coverings for me. Nice tip!
I know from experience that pets can really take a toll on carpet. Tips like these make it a lot easier to maintain! Thanks for the help!
Great post and really useful tips. Thanks for posting informative blog !
Thank for sharing easy carpet cleaning tips to make it a lot easier to maintain!
Hello Melissa. I have been following your content for quite some time now and I fell in love with your content, really :). Again, super helpful tips. In my opinion if you want to keep anything clean, no matter if it is a carpet, sofa or your home as a whole you must bring into your routine a schedule for a day-to-day cleaning. I hadn’t done that for a long time and when I started doing it, one day I just found and felt my home to be much cleaner than usual. However, thanks for the suggestions here, they are helpful!
Very helpful tips Melissa. Thanks for the information! I will really start following your blog, because I just love your content!
Whether it’s cleaning area rugs or carpet cleaning it’s something that needs to be done on a consistent basis. These are some really helpful tips to maintain until a regular clean is schedule. Even though a rug say’s it’s machine washable, it’s far better to have them professionally cleaned.
Thank you for the advice about keeping away the fleas from your carpets. Our little Jack Russell always bring fleas in from being out in the garden. We reckon he’s getting fleas from the hedgehogs that love to sneak into our back garden! This should help us so thanks!
Awesome tips!Helped me a lot in managing my house.I am able to finish my work much quicker than earlier.Thanks for posting i love the content a lot!
Hey, great share……
I agree that removing stains from your rug is extremely difficult task and despite your best efforts at cleanliness, your carpet will eventually become the victim of drops, spills, accidents, and whatever’s on the bottom of your shoes. Your tips and advice are really going to make my job easy.
Thanks for sharing this post. Keep sharing more…
Cheers!!
Your well-structured routine idea sounds like a good one for maintaining a clean and orderly home. From encouraging kids to take their shoes off after playing outside to taking pets off the furniture after they jump on, these are useful tips that could save some cleaning time and expense in the future.
Acting on carpet stains quickly is so important to keeping your carpets clean. Once it sets in you may never get it out. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on carpet cleaning!
I agree that removing stains from your rug is extremely difficult task and despite your best efforts at cleanliness, ADVICE FOR KEEPING CARPETS AND UPHOLSTERY CLEAN IN A BUSY HOUSEHOLD.Thanks for sharing your thoughts on carpet cleaning!
Great advice, could not agree more! But honestly, it actually does make just a little sense to rush to some professional cleaners for a stain or two when you could easily create some DIY liquid cleaners using daily household materials. Having these organic cleaners won’t just save you pennies, but will also keep your kids away from harmful chemicals that could be present in the commercial cleaners
Great i agree with you. I am in my late 20s and living with my parents as I finish my undergraduate degree (the job market in my area is depressingly tight). I feel like I’m stuck as a teenager—I know I don’t contribute as much as any of us would like to the maintenance of the household, but getting yelled at constantly for it makes it even harder for me to feel motivated to contribute. The contributions I do make are quickly minimized and forgotten.
You make a nice point about children removing outdoor footwear. Also, your points about fleas, brushing, and the vet could prove useful for both the health of pets and the status of the home.
You make a good point when suggesting parents stick to the rules. despite the hassle. Making minor changes for pets and children, such as these, can go a long way toward keeping a space clean.
Wow, awesome tips and tricks for keeping your house clean! Another great idea for someone who may not have the time to clean their house would be to hire a reputable cleaning service. Thanks for sharing!
Wow very nicely explained!
Gonna follow all of the suggestions mentioned above!
Looking forward to bookmark this post.
Good Job
Carpet Cleaning is required, especially if the carpet is too large and dirty, Carpets are an important part of home. you should consider using professional carpet cleaning services to restore your carpet
These are such great advice! I never knew you could get peanut butter and chewing gum up by apply ice to it and freezing it! Thanks for sharing this!
Great post! I think a lot of busy people try to go without cleaning for a really long, and that definitely is not what needs to happen. Thanks for showing how cleaning gradually really can make a huge difference!
What A nice post!. This is an excellent advice for removing stains from your carpet. Thanks for sharing this important instruction. Sometimes I saw many people who use stains for cleaner. Actually I like this stain.
What a great blog post, as a professional carpet cleaning company, we use a re-piling machine to get pet hairs out from the base of the carpet, traditional home vacuum cleaners just can’t get to the bottom of the carpet the way this machine can, no matter where you are in the world I would strongly suggest the next time you hire a carpet cleaner , you hire a company like ours , not only do we re-pile your carpet, we use 100% Eco-friendly cleaning products we also steam clean fabrics at 230c, you need to work at temperatures higher than 218c in order to eradicate all fleas or dust mites that might be festering in your mattress, upholstery, couch or carpet.
Hope this is useful to your readers and once again great post.
Great advice. Being in a carpet cleaning company, personally I really like this interesting post. Most it’s very difficult to keep carpet and rugs clean in our busy schedule. This post having really great advice.
Thanks for sharing
Great tips! I’ve never thought about brushing my pets at the door or freezing tougher substances for easier clean-up. Keeping your house tidy is a big task, but maintenance is key!
Awesome post! Definitely some very helpful tips and advice on keeping the house clean. Decluttering can normally make a huge difference. Thanks for sharing!
Some really practical tips thanks. One thing I always tell people to do with liquids is Blot first before scrubbing. This will help remove a lot of the liquid and stop you spreading the mess. My favourite new tip above is the ice cube. Going to give that a go for sure.
From a long time, I was trying various methods to eliminate the peanut butter stain from my carpet but everything failed. Applying ice on stain treated very well. Thank you Melissa, your advice helped me a lot.
I know I often put off cleaning, but when I do clean often, it is easier to clean. These are great tips, thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing in your blog, we have highlighted the best carpet cleaners, to help you make an informed selection.
Cleanliness is the key to having a livable home; I agree that doing a deep-cleaning at least once a month is a good idea. If you can, you should hire professionals to clean your upholstery and carpet for you at least every quarter to ensure a thorough clean. Cheers!
Melissa,this one is really awesome and a details article.I always try to use a handheld vacuum cleaner for clean the pet hair.and use a carpet sweeper for clean the dirt and I think deep cleaning is the best way for a busy home
For me, it is like climbing Everest to keep upholstery and carpet keep with such a busy life. But after reading your post it is a no more difficult task. Thank you for sharing the great blog post.
i find it very difficult to implement it , but you have written so lovely that i feel its very simpler now in my busy life
Vacuuming your carpets daily, not only keeps them clean, it also prevents fleas from taking hold in your home. I also agree that when your home is clean, you feel like spending more time there. Great post Melissa. Keep them coming.
I’ve noticed that my two youngest kids have been coughing more than usual. It was interesting that you pointed out that keeping your carpets and upholstery clean will help reduce effects of asthma. I didn’t know that little mites living on the ground and dirt can lead to asthma. Since I don’t have the time or equipment necessary, I might need to hire an experienced professional. I think after a professional cleaning, it might be easier to try and maintain it.
Hi Melissa
These are some really good tips, especially about brushing the dog upon entering the house – I wish more people did this!
I always recommend to my customers to vacuum at least once a week. In heavy use areas, I recommend at least twice a week. It’s worth spending a little time here and there to keep your carpets in good condition.
Fantastic article! The struggle to keep carpets and upholstery clean in a bustling home is real. Your tips are not just practical but also essential for maintaining a healthy living environment. Speaking of health, clean carpets and upholstery contribute significantly to indoor air quality. Dust, allergens, and microbes can get trapped in these fabrics, affecting the air we breathe. So, your cleaning routine is not just making your home look good; it’s making it healthier too. Thanks for sharing these valuable insights!