Carpet-Cleaning Tips

Q: I saw a reader's tip last year where they took their area rugs out and laid them on the snow to clean them. My question is, can I do the same for installed carpet? -- Fred G., Rockingham, Vt.

A: While the snow-cleaning method may or may not work for your installed (wall-to-wall) carpet -- I haven't tried the original tip myself, by the way -- just getting the carpet up and outside would be incredibly difficult and time-consuming. So I do not recommend trying this.
Instead, vacuum your carpet very thoroughly and then rent a steam cleaner from the home-improvement store (some larger supermarkets also rent them) and steam clean the carpet.

If the carpet is so down-deep dirty that it merely laughs at the efforts of a steam cleaner, consider installing new carpet. Very dirty carpet or carpet that's been exposed to flooding or large liquid spills that weren't dried properly has a shorter life span and can harbor molds and bacteria that a steam cleaner may not get to. This creates an unhealthy living environment.

Now, you might say at this point, "Replacing the carpet will be incredibly difficult and time-consuming, too. What's the difference?" Well, ask yourself, is the amount of time and effort spent pulling up the carpet, hauling it outside in the snow and then reinstalling it a better investment -- personally and financially -- than if what you haul back inside is a new carpet (which will increase the value of your home)?
Taking up a really old or dirty carpet allows you to inspect the subfloor for damage, make repairs and clean out accumulated dirt that filtered down through the carpet. You'll put fresh padding under the new carpet, so it may feel like a completely different floor when you're done.

Head over to the flooring or carpet store and price a few different types of carpet. It's well worth your time to investigate.

HOME TIP: To extend the life of installed carpet, blot up spills immediately to prevent mildew, and steam clean the carpet once or twice each year.

Send your home repair and maintenance questions to homeguru2000@hotmail.com, or write This Is a Hammer, c/o King Features Weekly Service, P.O. Box 536475, Orlando, FL 32853-6475. Remember, when in doubt as to whether you can safely or effectively complete a project, consult a professional contractor.

(c) 2010 King Features Synd., Inc.