Picking out new carpeting for your home is a big investment that you should work to protect. From the moment that you place new carpeting in a room with natural sunlight, you run the risk of the colors fading. Luckily, with a few simple care tips and preventative steps, you can keep your carpets looking vibrant and beautiful for many years to come.
The best and easiest way to keep your carpets from fading is to limit the amount of direct sunlight that reaches the colored fibers. For many homeowners, this means leaving your blinds closed during the day when your rooms are not in use. You should only open up your blinds when you return home or if you invest in ultraviolet light-blocking window treatments.
For an additional level of protection, you can also purchase a fluorocarbon protector. This can be applied to new carpets and acts as a temporary barrier that prevents fading. However, in order to work properly, the product must be reapplied periodically. It is also a good idea to be aware of what you track across your carpets on a daily basis. Keeping dirty shoes off the carpet is important, but you should also avoid tracking lotions, ointments, and other residues across your new flooring.
If you notice some initial fading, you may be able to reverse those signs with regular carpet cleaning. After vacuuming, dissolve equal parts hot water and salt into a large bowl. Once the salt is completely dissolved, use a damp rag to clean the faded areas. Allow the carpet to dry, and then vacuum away excess salt. This should bring back some color to the affected areas.
As a rule of thumb, you should always act quickly to clean spills. Use a paper towel to blot away spills, and rinse the area with cold water before blotting and applying a carpet cleaning solution. Once the spill has dried, vacuum the area to make sure the stain has lifted completely.
For more information about carpet fading, be sure to visit Excelsior Paint & Design Carpet One in Excelsior, MN.
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