Carpeting is a popular flooring option for homes and businesses alike. It provides a comfortable, warm, soft surface to walk on and can enhance a room’s overall look and feel. However, like any other household item, carpets have a lifespan and can wear out over time. Knowing when to replace your carpet can be difficult, as signs of wear and tear can be subtle. This article will discuss five common signs that it’s time to get rid of your carpet and invest in a new flooring solution.

What are the signs it’s time to get rid of your carpet?

A few signs that it’s time to get rid of your carpet and replace it with a new one include:

Stains and heavy wear

Old carpets that have gone through a lot of walking, spills, and stains are often difficult or impossible to clean. If your carpet is heavily stained or worn out, it’s time to replace it.

Allergies and bad odours

Carpets can trap dust, dirt, pet fur, saliva, and other particles, aggravating allergies and asthma. If your carpet is causing allergic reactions or unpleasant smells, it’s time to replace it.

Age

A carpet’s lifespan depends on its quality and the amount of wear it’s gone through. In general, carpets need to be replaced every 5 to 10 years. If you notice that the carpet is showing significant signs of wearing out or damage, and if it’s over 8 years old, it’s time to replace it.

Discolouration

Some carpets will lose their colour over time because of exposure to sunlight and other factors. If your carpet has become discoloured and you can’t remove the stains, it’s time to replace it.

Uncomfortable underfoot

If the carpet is thinned, flattened, or has an uneven texture, it won’t be comfortable to walk on. It’s best to replace it.

It’s worth noting that replacing an old carpet can improve indoor air quality besides giving a fresh look to your home. 

Carpet cleaning tips to help you preserve the fabric

Even if you take every precaution to protect your carpet, getting a stain on it is impossible. Accidents always happen. Luckily, there are many ways to remove carpet stains, and knowing these tried and true techniques and methods to remove them is to your advantage. If you’re not, stains can turn into a larger challenge if they aren’t treated properly once they occur. 

Using a steam cleaning machine

Steam carpet cleaning machine resembles a vacuum cleaner. The heat in its vapour disintegrates stubborn stains and dirt from the carpet’s fabric, leaving it clean and sparkling. The water vapour it generates penetrates deep into the carpet’s fabrics, where other cleaning agents can’t reach. It’s also able to eliminate germs without using chemicals. 

Spray bottle with warm water

You can eliminate recent stains on your carpet using a spray bottle with warm water. However, this method isn’t effective when the stains are spread all over the carpet.

Hydrogen peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide has many cleaning properties, including removing stains from fabrics of almost any type. The chemical is entirely environmentally friendly and works perfectly for carpet cleaning. 

Baking soda

A baking soda and water paste, and a brush can clean your carpet without having to buy expensive, environmentally unsafe chemicals. Baking soda is like a DIY magic eraser that saves you a lot of money. Sprinkle a little bit into your palm, dip the corner of a damp sponge into it and tap it off. If you have a wall or a baseboard with a fingerprint, a mark or even a grease spot, give it a gentle scrub in a circular motion. After that, wipe the spot with a clean, damp cloth to remove the residue.

Removing stains with an iron

This is a three-step process. First, vacuum the stained area to remove hard particles so you can focus only on the stains at hand. This is a crucial prep step. Second, treat the spots with a mixture of water and vinegar (ratio of 3:1). Let it work its way into the stained textile by leaving it to sit for five minutes. Finally, place a towel on top of the stained area and apply heat with an iron. The pressure and the heat cause the stain to be transferred into the towel.

Dishwashing liquid and rubbing alcohol

Expert carpet cleaners in Guildford claim that the magic formula for removing any stain from a carpet is a cup of warm water, half a teaspoon of dishwashing liquid and a teaspoon of rubbing alcohol (90%). However, don’t add too much dishwashing liquid, even if you have a heavier stain, because the solution will become too foamy. You can increase the rubbing alcohol to 2 or 3 spoons but always start with 1 first. Mix the water with the dish soap and add the rubbing alcohol. Stir gently to mix, and add the solution to a spray bottle. Use it to spray the solution directly on the stain and work it in using rubber gloves and a spoon or a brush. Don’t scrub, as this may damage the fibre of the carpet. Once you’ve applied the solution, extract it with a wet/dry vacuum. If the stain remains, add an extra spoonful of alcohol and start over. Once you’re finished, you can leave the solution in the spray bottle for future use. Gently swirl it before the next use, as the alcohol might have separated from the water.

Step-by-step guide for carpet cleaning

1. Move the furniture. It’s difficult to clean the carpet when part of it is under the table. Remove furniture and other household items lying over the carpet.
2. Vacuum the room. Vacuuming the room before cleaning your carpet is essential to remove debris and loose dirt. Dirt particles can fall from items in the room on the carpet if you vacuum only the carpet.
3. Pre-treat the carpet. This involves preliminary and less effective cleaning procedures such as water and bottle spray. This step helps with eliminating less stubborn stains.
4. If you’re using a machine, read the instructions. Machines tend to have different cleaning settings for different surfaces and fabrics. Adjust the machine to the correct cleaning mode suitable for carpets.
5. Start cleaning your carpet. Begin the cleaning in one corner of the room and move across in straight lines. Occasionally move back and forth for thorough cleaning. Make sure the entire carpet is clean before allowing it to dry. 
6. Let the carpet dry. Let air in the room by turning on fans and opening the door or windows. Carpets dry faster when they have air blowing on them. Let them dry for two hours.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, carpets can be a great addition to any home but require regular maintenance and upkeep. If you notice any of the five common signs that it’s time to remove your carpets, such as wear and tear, stains, odours, allergies, or age, consider replacing it. While it can be a significant investment, replacing your carpet can improve the look and feel of your home and contribute to a healthier living environment. By staying vigilant and addressing any issues promptly, you can keep your carpet in good condition and enjoy it for many years to come.