When heading down a busy street or highway, you might notice streaks of discoloration on the roadway, spanning the lane of traffic in front of you while you travel. Rarely do we give it any thought because we know those discolorations are from wear. Sometimes we see a pair of parallel streaks resulting from so many tires as an untold number of vehicles traverse the roadways. Other times it’s one wide streak, often in parking lots and areas of slow-moving traffic where vehicular fluids (think oil and grease) accumulate on the surface.
There are also traffic lanes in your home or business. These are areas where people traverse frequently, including hallways, doorways and stairways. As more feet travel these areas, whether bare, in socks or in shoes, dirt, oils, pollutants, allergens and other debris collect in the carpet fibers. The more these contaminants build up, the more damage it does to your carpet. Your carpet starts to look like an old highway traffic lane.
Changing Carpet Lanes
What can be done if your carpet develops these traffic lanes? When caught early, a professional carpet cleaning from Preferred Carpet Care eliminates these lanes with powerful hot water extraction. Even accumulated dirt and oil gets dislodged from deep within the carpet fibers, removing the buildup. That’s why it’s important to get semi-annual carpet cleaning. Your household or business traffic is not going to slow down! Regular carpet cleaning keeps up to speed with the frequent use of your traffic lanes to eliminate or reduce the discoloration.
Note that we used the word “reduce.” On many occasions, the discoloration comes from years of frequent walking – with infrequent cleaning or vacuuming. When this happens, the carpet pile gets worn prematurely and the fibers get frayed or unraveled. Light refracting off the damage produces a shaded appearance, making it look discolored. At that point, a professional carpet cleaning merely helps reduce the discoloration. The damaged fibers are the cause of the different color, not leftover pigments. The only way to change your lanes at that point is to replace the carpet. Having a regular carpet cleaning every six months revitalizes your carpet pile and staves off that eventual wear.
The fact is that all carpet wears down and reaches the end of its useful life. Regular vacuuming, maintenance, and professional carpet cleaning ensures your carpet lasts as long as possible, looking great and keeping those dark traffic lanes from forming. Other helpful tips include:
- Where possible, walk with socks indoors, as opposed to shoes or bare feet.
- Add a few area rugs over heavy traffic areas.
- Use floor mats near entrances and exits.
- Clean up spills or stains promptly.
All of these tips will give your carpet maximum life and maximum value.
Keep Your Carpet Lanes Clear
No one likes heavy traffic on the road, and no one likes to see traffic lanes in their carpet. While we can’t help with roadways, Preferred Carpet Care in Redding is masterful with keeping traffic lanes in carpet clear and free of dirt and contaminants. For more information, please look through our website. When you’re ready, give us a call or use our online form to schedule an appointment.