Do you vacuum often? When you do, do you vacuum along the baseboards using the crevice tool? If not, you may be noticing the carpet fibers near the baseboards darkening. Keep reading to learn why this happens and what you can to do prevent it.
Filtration Soiling
Filtration Soiling is a soiling condition in residential carpet. When walls in a home are not well sealed, they draw air in underneath the baseboards. The air flows under the baseboard and drywall and up the interior of the wall like a chimney. As the air is drawn in it passes through the carpet fibers near the baseboard. Over time, dust, dirt, dander, oils and smoke carried in the air get deposited in the carpet fibers.
If the carpet fibers near the baseboard are not cleaned regularly and properly, they become dark and eventually the carpet fibers turn black. The black soiling will become permanent if the carpet continues to be neglected. Filtration soiling can also be seen in doorways where air flows under doors.
How To Spot Filtration Soiling
You can recognize filtration soiling when you see a solid black line in the carpet right next to the baseboards. When filtration soiling is discovered early, it can be reversed by scrubbing the carpet with a brush and a spotting solution. At Hydro Clean Carpet Cleaning, we will typically use a Libman brush with short bristles. When filtration soiling is severe, a professional should be called in to do restorative cleaning. It is tedious work, but very effective.
How To Prevent Filtration Soiling
Preventing filtration soiling however is extremely easy. Simply vacuuming weekly and using the crevice tool that came with your vacuum will do the trick. Trying to vacuum up to the baseboard is not effective enough because the roller brush can’t reach that close. Just connect the thin long crevice tool and run it along the carpet at the edge of the baseboard. That alone will prevent filtration soiling. In the long term, if you remodel or replace baseboards and trim in your home you should caulk in between the floor and drywall. This will stop the airflow and filtration soiling as well
Ready To Have Your Carpet Cleaned?
If you have a case of filtration soiling, Hydro Clean Carpet Cleaning would love to help. As a professional carpet cleaner in Colorado Springs, we know how to clean you carpet without causing further damage. If you have questions about services we offer, call us today.
