Summer Carpet Care in Canterbury

Why does carpet get dirtier in summer?

Because the doors are open and everyone is in and out. Summer brings more foot traffic from the garden, the deck and the beach, and more of the outside comes in with it.

Most summer soiling is dry grit and oily residue rather than one big stain. Grit wears the pile like fine sandpaper. Oily residue from skin, sunscreen and cooking makes fibres sticky, so they grab dirt faster. That’s why traffic lanes from the back door can darken quickly over a few warm months.

How do I deal with sand in the carpet?

Let it dry, then vacuum slowly, going over the area in more than one direction. Damp sand clings to the pile and smears; dry sand lets go much more easily.

• Shake out towels, togs and beach bags outside before they come in.
• Keep a mat inside and outside the door you use most after the beach.
• A shoes-off rule at the back door does more than anything else.
• Vacuum the entrance and hallway more often over summer, not just the lounge.

Sand that has worked deep into the base of the pile is hard to reach with a household vacuum. A hot water extraction clean rinses it out along with the oily residue that holds it there. My carpet cleaning page explains how that works.

What about sunscreen and fake-tan marks?

Blot them, don’t rub them, and don’t pile on products. Sunscreen is oily, and fake tan contains a dye that is designed to stick. Both can spread if you scrub.

For first aid: blot with a white cloth or paper towel to lift what you can, dab a little cool water, and blot again. Then stop. Don’t try household cleaners, bleach or colour removers, and don’t use heat. If there’s a mark left, send me a photo. I’ll tell you honestly whether it’s likely to come out or only lighten. Fake-tan marks in particular can sometimes only be lightened, especially on light-coloured carpet.

The easy prevention is to apply fake tan and sunscreen on a tiled floor or in the bathroom, and give it time to soak in before anyone sits on the floor or the couch.

How do I stop BBQ grease being tracked inside?

Grease usually comes in on shoes and jandals from the deck or patio around the BBQ. It shows up as dark, sticky patches near the door and along the path people walk.

• Put a mat by the BBQ as well as by the door, and keep jandals for outside.
• Wipe up drips on the deck so they’re not walked in.
• If a greasy footprint does appear, blot it with a dry white cloth. Don’t scrub it with hot soapy water. That spreads oil through the pile and leaves a residue that attracts more dirt.

If the patch is still there, send me a photo. Greasy soiling is something I deal with often, and I’ll treat it with a pre-spray suited to it before the hot water rinse. Have a look at my stain treatment page for how I approach marks.

My pets shed more in summer. Does that matter for the carpet?

Yes. Dogs and cats drop more hair as the weather warms, and that hair works into the pile along with skin oils and dust. Regular vacuuming is the main defence.

A vacuum with good suction and a clean filter helps, and so does going slowly over the spots where pets lie. Brushing pets outside rather than on the lounge carpet keeps a lot of hair out of the house. If your pet has had an accident or there’s a smell where they sleep, my pet urine carpet guide covers what to do.

What does a nor’west day do to carpets?

Hot, dry nor’west winds carry dust in from outside, especially if windows and doors are open. A fine layer of grit settles on the carpet and gets walked in.

On a strong nor’west day, it can help to close the windows on the windward side of the house and vacuum once it settles. If you live near open paddocks or new subdivisions, as in parts of Selwyn and Waimakariri, you’ll probably notice more dust over summer.

Is summer a good time to get carpets cleaned?

It’s a very practical time. Warm days with windows and doors open give good ventilation, and ventilation is one of the biggest factors in how quickly carpet dries. The others are the weather, the carpet fibre and how soiled it was.

On the day, I’ll give you guidance on airing the rooms. Opening windows on opposite sides of the house, so air moves through, usually helps most. My carpet drying guide goes into more detail. If you want a sense of how often to book, see how often to clean carpets.

What should I keep off the carpet over summer?

A few things cause most of the summer problems I see:

• Wet togs and towels left lying on the carpet, which can leave water marks and a damp smell.
• Paddling pools and water toys brought inside to dry.
• Ice blocks and fizzy drinks in the lounge, which leave sticky patches that grab dirt.
• Pot plants without a saucer, or with an overflowing one, moved inside out of the heat.