Does your rental have carpet? Follow these tips to keep your carpet looking like new as long as possible and keep your security deposit. Learn about the five best methods to prevent carpet damage and minimize wear and tear.
As a renter, you know that you cannot always control what your rental looks like. Paint, appliances, kitchen counters and cabinets, and flooring are often out of your control. One of the factors that is up to your landlord is the carpet.
Carpet is nice for many people, especially those who live in apartments. Comfortable, softer than wood or laminate flooring, quiet, and an easy way to keep your home warm, carpet is commonplace in many rentals. However, keeping this carpet clean can be challenging, as it can stain or be damaged easily. But this does not mean that carpet is impossible to maintain as a renter.
While nothing will keep carpet flawless forever, you can easily get more life out of your carpet and prevent any damage beyond standard wear and tear with these easy carpet maintenance tips.
Vacuum Regularly
Frequent vacuuming can prevent dirt from becoming a stain. Creating a regular vacuuming schedule is an easy way to ensure that your carpets look newer for longer. Depending on the traffic of your area, you may need to vacuum multiple times per week or even daily. This task can be automated if necessary, with robotic vacuum cleaners, if you do not have the time or do not want to spend that much time vacuuming.
You may also want to consider spot vacuuming regularly, especially if you don’t do a full vacuum every week. Areas that should be cleaned frequently are doorways, frequently-used hallways and walkways, and any additional areas that people often step on when they first come into the home.
Learn more: How to Make a Cleaning Schedule | Tips for Renters
Remove Stains Promptly
Messes are significantly less likely to stain if cleaned promptly, and it will also be less likely to smell. If someone drops food or a drink, or if someone gets sick, make sure you wipe it up quickly. Do not let a mess sit, or it will soak into the carpet and the underlayer and become a stain that may not come out.
Use a carpet cleaning solution and dab the mess. When the stain has come up and been cleaned and dried, vacuum the area. Once clean, dry, and vacuumed, pour some baking soda over the area, allow it to sit for a few minutes, and then vacuum again to make sure no smell remains.
Remove Shoes at the Door
An increasingly common practice, maintaining a shoes-off household is an excellent way to protect your carpet from mud and stains. Changing into slippers or otherwise wearing inside shoes can be an excellent way to prevent carpet damage or staining.
This habit change can lower the frequency of your needed vacuuming or carpet cleaning as it helps to prevent dirt and mud from being tracked across carpets. It can also be extended to pets, kids, and guests to further prevent carpet damage. Wipe your dogs’ paws when they come inside, make sure your kids remove or change their shoes, and provide shoe racks for yourself and your guests coming in.
Layer Rugs on Your Carpets
Another easy method of preventing carpet damage is placing down rugs. Rugs, which can be cleaned with ease, are an efficient method of protecting the carpet beneath them. While some rugs, especially large ones, may be challenging to clean, it is much easier to clean them than it is to clean carpet. Additionally, if your rug is damaged to the point of needing to be replaced, it is cheaper to replace a rug than it would have been to replace the carpet beneath it.
As an additional minor benefit, having rugs allows you to have more control over what your rental looks like. While you cannot control what color your carpet or flooring is, you can control the appearance of your rugs.
Talk to Your Landlord About Professional Cleaning
Professional cleaning helps remove stains from carpets and prevents them from becoming dingy and worn out. As such, regular professional cleaning is an important part of maintaining your carpets. Consider speaking to your landlord about proper carpet cleaning. If your landlord consents, you can purchase a carpet cleaner and do it yourself.
Having this cleaning done every year or so is a good rule of thumb. However, if you have more or less traffic in your home, you may need to adjust this timeline by a few months. Households with pets or small children may find it beneficial to have carpets cleaned every six months, while households with a single person who doesn’t wear shoes inside might be able to go longer between cleanings, up to eighteen months.
Learn more: Spring Cleaning Tips for Tenants – Infographic
Final Thoughts
Maintaining your carpet is far easier than many people might assume. Whether it is a small change like vacuuming more frequently or removing shoes indoors, or a bigger event such as professional cleaning, keeping carpets looking nice is easy. With these simple maintenance tips, you can keep your carpets looking clean, soft, and new. Enact these changes to your rental, and speak to your landlord about professional carpet cleaning.