Top 10 winter carpet care tips to keep your home cozy

From frozen pipes to ice dams and even cooking fires, winter can present many challenges to homeowners, and carpets are no exception. Moisture, salt, and mud can damage carpets if not properly maintained, causing concern for homeowners unsure how to handle winter's extra demands.

With over 50 years of combined experience and IICRC certification, we at Restore-It know how badly this can affect your carpets. Dirt buildup, changes in appearance, and long-term damage like tearing can occur. We're here to teach you tips for keeping carpets in shape during harsh winters.

In this article, we will provide practical, straightforward tips for preventing winter wear and tear on your carpets. So join us and learn carpet care tips to maintain a warm, cozy, and welcoming home environment throughout this cold season.

Ten carpet care tips for the colder season

While excess moisture, salt, mud, and other debris are your carpets' biggest enemies this season, you can protect them successfully if you take active steps. Check these tips if you want to extend the life of your carpet, avoiding wear and tear:

1. Invest in floor mats and carpet runners

Carpet runners and absorbent mats are great alternatives for protecting your main entryways. They act as a barrier between outside debris and your carpets' fibers, and water-resistant materials help keep moisture from seeping onto the floor.

Encourage your family members and guests to wipe their shoes at the entrance. For extra protection, set up a shoe rack next to the entryways where they can leave their shoes and comfortably put on slippers.

2. Vacuum your carpet more frequently

Vacuum high-traffic areas at least twice a week during winter to prevent dirt and salt crystals from damaging your carpets' fibers. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to keep the indoor air clean.

3. Treat spills and stains immediately

As the temperature drops, you may want to relax with some hot cocoa or be surrounded by friends and family in a lovely gathering, which can lead to accidental spills. Whenever one happens, blot the liquid with a clean cloth to prevent it from setting in. In case of mud, wait until it's dry, gently scrap it off, and then vacuum the area. Follow with a carpet-safe stain remover for a nice finish. You can find more information in our article on Thanksgiving stains:

https://www.restoreit.cleaning/blog/carpet-cleaning-diy-guide-for-thanksgiving-stains

4. Use rugs strategically for extra protection

A lot cheaper and easier to clean than carpets, rugs can make up a layer of defense between debris and your carpets. Area rugs positioned in high-traffic areas can take the brunt of the winter mess from tracking inside the house.

5. Keep the outside clean for a cleaner home

Tracking is the main culprit in winter wear and tear: all that dirt and salt pressing against your carpet can do a number on the fibers. By cleaning your porch, deck, steps, and your garage, you can prevent all the debris from entering your home. Additionally, investing in garage mats can be the solution for the ice that your vehicle tracks inside.

6. Keep your carpets dry even when spot-cleaning

One problem with the colder months is that things can take longer to dry. This is especially true for carpets, which can develop mold and mildew if kept damp for too long. Other than blotting all excess liquid into your carpets, you can use a fan or a heater to speed up the drying process.

7. Invest in trusted carpet protectors

Once you have cleaned your carpets, you can use a special protector like Scotchgard, which creates a barrier to repel water and dirt. This makes it easier to clean up spills before they have any chance to set in. Carpet protectors are great to prevent moisture or salt from bonding with your carpets' fibers.

8. Rotate your furniture and area rugs

Another tip for this winter is to rearrange your furniture slightly to reduce wear on high-traffic areas. By rotating them periodically, you can maintain an even appearance across the carpet and prevent some spots from wearing down.

9. Schedule regular maintenance for high-traffic areas

Frequent maintenance in critical areas with spot-cleaning can keep these zones looking fresh without needing deep cleaning as often. Focus your cleaning efforts on high-traffic areas to prevent buildup from spreading to other rooms.

10. Consider professional carpet cleaning

All the tips above are great for keeping your carpets looking and feeling clean and fresh during the winter. However, if you want to remove built-up dirt, you need professional carpet cleaning. Scheduling a deep cleaning before winter can help protect your carpet for a longer time, and doing it after the colder months can ensure all the salt, mud, or grime is entirely removed.

While winter carpet care requires some extra steps to keep your home looking and feeling cozy, it's absolutely worth it. By following the tips listed above, you will maintain your carpets and gain some peace of mind. Now that you have learned all about carpet care during winter, you can contact us and schedule a professional carpet cleaning. We at Restore-It will ensure a fresh start for your carpets so you can have that warm environment you want in your home.