Comparing Spray Versus Plastic Carpet Protectors For Maintenance After Carpet Cleaning
Carpet cleaning is an important investment as a home owner. It is how you spare yourself the embarrassment of having to deal with unsightly stains or weird odours from your carpet. It is also the best way to ensure longevity by preventing cumulative damage from build-up of dirt and grime.
In addition to regular professional carpet cleaning, there is a lot you have to do to maintain the results for as long as possible after having the crew work on things. One of the best options in this case is investing in carpet protectors.
Let’s see what the two main options are and what they have to offer you after getting your regular carpet cleaning.
Prevention is always better; and cheaper than carpet cleaning
Before we go into the differences between the two, it is necessary for you to understand why they are an option worth considering in the first place. These products help to prevent or at least minimize staining and accumulation of dirt especially after having professional carpet cleaning. This is meant to prolong the results as much as possible therefore saving you a lot in the long run.
While it is not a substitute for regular carpet cleaning, using protectors is one of the best ways to complement and sustain the results of a job well done.
Spray vs. Plastic carpet protector
Now that you understand the value of carpet protectors after professional carpet cleaning, it is time to understand the two main options. These are spray carpet protectors and plastic protectors. Each has its fair set of pros and cons as you will see shortly so you can make an informed decision on what would work the best for you.
- Spray carpet protectors
These are the most popular for preventing staining after a deep carpet cleaning session. They work by creating a protective coat over the fabric. This prevents pigments from different items like foods, drinks, pet products, and more from interacting with the fibres.
As a result, the chances of staining are slim to none especially if you soak up the spill as soon as possible. This will definitely help you space out your carpet cleaning schedule within the year therefore saving you more in the long run.
Pros
- They are easy to apply.
- They are effective in preventing staining.
- Most brands are pet and child-friendly.
- They come off easily with deep carpet cleaning.
- They do not interfere with the carpet’s aesthetic.
Cons
- The protective layer wears off with time.
- They do not offer protection against pressure damage.
- They offer limited water damage protection.
Bottom line
Spray carpet protectors are a fantastic way to protect the results of carpet cleaning both at home and in offices. It is completely subtle yet highly effective and therefore perfect if you want your carpet’s aesthetics to truly shine through.
- Plastic protectors
These are usually used to minimize the cost of carpet cleaning in more industrial spaces with high levels of traffic. However, it can also be used in more domestic setting especially where there are pets or children.
They take the form of thin plastic sheets that you place over the surface of the carpet to protect your carpet cleaning results. It is nowhere near as subtle as the spray option but it is super effective when it comes to protecting against stains, accumulation of dirt, water damage, and even pressure from furniture and foot traffic.
Pros
- They offer full water proofing if intact.
- They offer some level of pressure protection from furniture stands.
- They last longer.
Cons
- They interfere with the carpet’s aesthetics.
Bottom line
While this offers the best level of protection for you carpet, it is not easy on the eyes. You could, however, use it for things like pet lounge spaces or under furniture where a lot of dirt tends to accumulate.
Nothing can substitute professional carpet cleaning
While these protector options are undeniably useful, they will never be a substitute for professional deep carpet cleaning. These is because they do not offer 100% protection against anything from stains to particles. They also tend to wear out in time leaving your carpet exposed and in need of carpet cleaning.
Therefore, in addition to using the protectors, you have to go the extra mile to protect your carpet by cleaning it on a regular basis. For this, here are the three most important tips that should help you keep your carpet looking great for longer.
One of the biggest sources of high carpet cleaning bills is staining. This often happens when spills go ignored and the pigments from the spilled items get to soak into the fibres. Therefore, unless you are using a completely unperforated plastic cover, clearing up spills is an essential part of DIY carpet cleaning.
This is important whether you are using a spray or plastic cover. Vacuuming helps get rid of particles that will inevitably make a home on your carpet and even on the protectors themselves. To save yourself on carpet cleaning responsibilities down the line, it is best to make sure that you vacuum on a regular basis. Once every day or two should be enough.
Finally, nothing will ever match the power of deep carpet cleaning by professionals. Remember that eventually, your protectors will wear off and leave your carpet exposed. It is therefore of utmost importance that you have the contacts of a good carpet cleaning business for those regular maintenance visits.
The biggest lesson to learn here, is that professional carpet cleaning is invaluable even with the best of carpet protectors. However, this is not to say that there is no room for them. You just have to know what works for you while making sure to follow out carpet cleaning and maintenance tips and you should be good to go with a fresh and clean carpet for a long time.
Comparing Spray Versus Plastic Carpet Protectors For Maintenance After Carpet Cleaning
