Carpets will get old and dull over time due to regular use, especially in high-traffic areas. Matting is part of a carpet’s normal wear and tear, and it might be a sign to replace your floor tapestry or look for ways to restore it.
You can fix your matted carpet by vacuuming your carpet, then using a carpet rake or stiff brush to untangle the fluffs. Sprinkling baking soda and vinegar and applying heat and moisture can also help perk the fibers to make your carpet look new again.
You can use many other tried and tested techniques to fix a matted carpet in high-traffic areas like the living room, kitchen, or lobby. If you wish to learn more about easy remedies and different techniques for fixing matted carpets, continue reading.
1. Use a Vacuum
When you notice that your carpet starts matting, using a vacuum to refresh the fibers is the first step.
Vacuuming is not only a solution but also a matting prevention technique used to maintain carpets in high-traffic areas.
Make sure to remove all furniture standing on the carpet before you start cleaning.
Vacuum in all directions and not just back and forth.
This practice will ensure that you get most, if not all, of the dust stuck in the fibers of your carpet.
Dust and dirt that attaches to the carpet fibers make it look dull and old and cause bacteria to accumulate, making it musty.
It’s recommended to vacuum your carpet regularly—at least once a week—and immediately after it has been stained or greased.
2. Use a Carpet Brush or Rake
A carpet brush or rake typically aren’t standard tools you have at home, but you can buy them in almost all home and furniture stores. They’re both easy to use as well.
You must carefully brush or rake the matted area to separate tangled carpet fibers.
Doing so also loosens the accumulated dirt or dust that causes the compression of fibers.
It will then make it easier for you to vacuum any loose particles or debris trapped in the fibers.
When using a carpet brush or rake, don’t pull too hard as this may rip out or damage the carpet.
3. Sprinkle Baking Soda
Baking soda is probably among the most popular and effective home-cleaning ingredients.
It doesn’t contain harmful chemicals, so it is safe for you and your family.
Another advantage is that it is inexpensive and readily accessible.
Sprinkling baking soda all over your carpet and allowing it to sit for at least 15 minutes will help you fix your carpet.
You can even let it stay overnight—the longer it stays on your carpet, the more odor, dirt, and oil it can absorb.
Vacuum your carpet thoroughly afterward, and make sure to clean out your vacuum bag or filter, so it doesn’t clog and damage the machine.
4. Spray a Vinegar Solution
Mixing equal parts of water and vinegar and spraying it on your carpet may help revive its fibers.
The solution also acts as a natural disinfectant that kills bacteria and dissolves dirt and grease that causes stains.
Let the vinegar solution stay for 1-2 minutes, then gently comb the fibers with a carpet brush or rake.
You can use this method as a follow-up to the baking soda technique to achieve optimum results.
Vinegar is acetic acid, so be careful not to put too much of it in your solution so that it doesn’t cause more harm than good to your carpet.
5. Add Moisture to Your Carpet
Wetting matted carpet fibers may also help in loosening them up.
The ice cube method works by allowing the cubes to melt gradually or with the help of a low-temperature blower.
Once fully melted, you can use a carpet brush or rake to straighten the fluffs.
You can’t simply pour water over the carpet because you would want the carpet fibers to absorb the water slowly but surely.
This method makes ice cubes perfect for the job.
However, this technique works best for smaller carpets since larger ones would require lots of ice and time.
6. Apply Heat to Your Carpet
You can also use heat as another method to fix your matted carpet.
Restoring your matted carpet can be done by placing a slightly damp, lint-free towel on top of it and using a clothes iron at medium temperature to press over the towel.
This technique will straighten the fibers back out.
Iron over the towel a few times before moving to the next portion to ensure it works.
If a clothes iron is too heavy and tiresome to use, you can use a hair blower as an alternative.
Set it on medium heat and blow over the entire damp towel back and forth before proceeding to another part of the carpet.
Another, more straightforward, approach would be using a steam iron directly on the carpet to achieve the same effect.
7. Call Professional Cleaners
When you’ve done everything you can on your own, and your carpet still doesn’t look revitalized and presentable, it might be worth trying professional services.
It would be a waste just to throw away or replace your carpet.
Carpets in high-traffic areas go through a lot of wear and tear.
Tens or hundreds of footwear imprinting on the surface and leaving dirt, grease, or stains would definitely cause tangled fibers and an old, dull appearance.
Professional carpet cleaners have powerful tools and solutions that are too expensive for a regular household to own.
They also have tremendous experience handling different kinds of carpets, which assures you that they can bring your worn-out carpet or rug back to life.
Final Thoughts
Regular cleaning and maintenance are vital in fixing a matted carpet in high-traffic areas.
As your carpet ages and goes through regular wear and tear, it is inevitable that it will accumulate damage and gradually lose its pleasing appearance.
Do-it-yourself home remedies are helpful but not a guarantee to bring back your carpet’s brand-new state.
Getting professional cleaning services is still the best option if you want assured satisfaction.
Cheers, tools owners!
