Sand in the Carpet

Restrictions are somewhat lifted and temperatures are up. Across the inland valleys, thousands cry out: “To the beach!” and charge toward the coastline. Many families in Redding also join the fray, or perhaps they spend the day on the banks of rivers and tributaries in the Redding area. Regardless of location, these families return tired and satisfied — and perhaps a little sunburned. But as they shuffle into their homes, a stowaway makes it through the doors. While seemingly benign and spectrally neutral, the damage this stowaway does to your carpet is often significant over time. The culprit is sand.

Sand may look like tiny little pebbles, smooth and round, but on a microscopic level each grain has jagged edges and sharp corners. As you continue walking on your carpet, the sand grains scratch and cut your carpet fibers. This takes away the finish on the pile of newer carpets, and further demolishes older fibers, making them appear increasingly dirty. Now, you might think that vacuuming up the sand is all it takes. While vacuuming is the primary way to remove sand from your carpet, it’s not the only thing that needs to be done — and how you do it is also important.

Removing Sand from Carpet

The longer sand is left in the carpet, the deeper it gets. More time also allows for more damage. Prompt action is necessary. Yes, you might be tuckered out from your sojourn, so it might wait a day or so, but the sooner you can get that sand from the carpet, the better. One difficulty is its size. You might not be able to see it, especially if the sand had the opportunity to sink into the carpet. As such, try to limit your traversing when returning from a sandy holiday. Keep track of where you traveled on the carpet and focus on those areas. Removing shoes and socks outside carpeted areas, and perhaps even washing your feet before entering the home, are all good ideas.

Before you vacuum, use a soft-bristled brush or microfiber cloth on the affected areas. Brushing or wiping those areas helps to dislodge the sand and agitate hidden particles. Then, vacuum them up — but go slowly, and not always in the same direction. Go over the carpet or rug back and forth in one direction, then go over the same area, back and forth, in another direction. In fact, going over the area a third time, at a different angle, is often a good idea. Although you could adjust your vacuum so it meets your carpet at a lower setting, this might also hinder its suction ability. Remember, you want to get up as much of the sand as you possibly can.

Another option is using a wet/dry vacuum or a shop vac. These types of vacuums are typically more robust and effective at removing sand from carpet. Don’t add any liquids to the mix, however, if you can at all avoid it. Sand is more readily removed with non-professional equipment if you keep things dry.

If you use carpet mats for your entryways, then we applaud your efforts. Carpet mats provide an effective barrier between the sand and the carpet, making for easier indoor cleanup. They also work great with other soils, not just sand.

Don’t Leave Sand to Chance

If you visit sandy areas fairly often, schedule a regular professional carpet cleaning with Preferred Carpet Care in Redding. Our powerful equipment leaves no sand behind, using potent solvents to attract, dislodge and remove the grains from deep within your carpet. Our cleansers also trap sand, reducing or eliminating damage caused to carpet fibers by sand agitation. Give us a call, or schedule an appointment online. We’ll help you keep the sand where it belongs — outside!