Your carpet is a significant investment in your home, and keeping it safe is essential. Thankfully there are many forms of protection you can put on your carpet to do just that. So just how long can a carpet protector safely stay on a carpet? We have researched this question and more for you and written about it down below.
You should remove any carpet protectors used during renovation within 30 to 45 days of application. The adhesive used on the protector can begin to transfer from the back onto your carpet at this point. Not only will this stain and potentially harm your carpet, but it will make the removal of the old protector a nightmare. If using chemical applicants such as Scotchgard, make sure to reapply every six months.
Collateral damage to your expensive carpets is something to avoid when renovating your home. Carpet protectors are one great way to help that. Knowing how and why they work is a great first step towards understanding how to use them properly. Keep on reading as we dive more into carpet protectors and how to let them safely do their job.
How Carpet Protectors Work
Carpet protectors work to keep your carpet from dirt, stains, damage, and traffic from workers moving around your house. Carpet protectors come in two basic forms: physical and chemical forms. Each offers its own pros and cons, and which one will work best for you may differ.
Physical carpet protectors
The most common forms of physical carper protectors are simple disposable adhesive-backed film sheets. Typically, these protectors consist of a thin sheet of polyethylene film coated on one side with pressure-sensitive adhesive. As the name suggests, this adhesive requires only pressure to adhere to the carpet.
Carpet protectors work as a simple repellant for spills that may stain your carpet. The protectants keep liquids from seeping into your carpet, and dry messes become much easier to clean through vacuuming. This helps with abrasions and deterioration your carpet may sustain through repeated cleanings.
Chemical carpet protectors
Chemical carpet protectors are typically diluted forms of protectant applied directly to your carpet. This is usually done after a steam cleaning so the product can properly set. Carpet protectors of this kind, such as Scotchgard, sit on top of the carpet fibers and thus need periodical reapplying.
Chemical carpet protectors protect against general mess from children and pets along with other common stains. The treatment deters food and drink spillage along with general wear and tear. It does not, however, serve as some magic bullet. Pet urine will still cause problems, and red wine still stains. Scotch Guard will lighten the stain, however, proving beneficial to have.
There are a lot of chemical carpet protectors on the market. Talk to your carpet care professional about which one they recommend best for you.
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What can I put on my carpet to protect it?
There are two different scenarios in which carpet protection is nice to have. One is when construction is going on in a room. There is likely to be lots of debris, people moving in and out, and other scenario-specific messes occurring. In this case, adhesive-backed carpet protectors might be your best bet. You can apply them yourself, using an applicator or the weight of your own body if the space is small enough.
How do you use carpet protector film?
Carpet protector film is straightforward to use and requires no help from professionals. Using an applicator will make the process less exhausting if covering large spaces, but other than that, all you need is yourself. To begin with, purchase your carpet protector. After removing the covering, find the beginning of the roll. There will be a tab to help you locate the beginning.
Unroll approximately six inches of carpet protector and apply it to the edge of your carpet. Use your weight to affix the adhesive to your carpet firmly. Keep unrolling the protector as needed to cover the area of carpet required. Make sure you're pressing down firmly on the protector as you go.
Have the edges of the protectors overlap to make sure no carpet is left exposed to mess. When the necessary area is covered, carefully cut the film from the rest of the roll.
When you finish applying the protector, mark down the date on the protector with a permanent marker. This will remind you of when you put the carpet protector down. If you need the protector for longer than 45 days, you'll need to remove the film and reapply.
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Chemical carpet protector.
Chemical carpet protectors work for more general protection purposes. Actual film on your carpets isn't generally a 24/7 solution to carpet damage. If you live in a high-traffic home with pets and children, chemical carpet protectors may be the perfect solution for you.
There are several types of chemical carpet protectors out there on the market. All of them achieve good results but do excel in different areas. They also come in a range of prices. Talk with a carpet cleaning professional about what you're looking for. They'll be able to help you find the right product for your home.
Can you Scotchgard carpet yourself?
One of the more commonly used chemical carpet protectors is Scotchgard. An effective soil retardant, Scotch Guard helps stains lift out of your carpet easier. You can apply it to your carpet yourself, though you'll need to make sure the product is steamed into the fibers. Since your steam cleaning equipment might not be top-grade, this tends to lead to reapplication being needed more frequently.
The advantages of having your Scotchgard professionally applied are many. The quality of their equipment is top-notch, the application will be perfect, and you will get your money's worth. Much like car maintenance, balance the short-term cost saving with the potential long-term issues. If you think you're better off getting a professional, do so. Needing to apply less often will save you in the long run.
How do you remove carpet protection?
Now that you know how to apply your carpet protection, the next logical step is knowing how to remove it. Improper removal can lead to residue left behind on your carpets. This not only wastes time and money spent on trying to protect your carpet in the first place, but it will also require more money. Removing the residue left behind is a difficult task, even for professionals.
Removal of carpet protection film.
When it comes to the removal of carpet protection film, the process is simple. Merely strip the film off or use removal tools if you prefer. If you like, you can test on a small area first. Check for any negative impact on the carpet below, and go from there.
Does carpet protection film leave a residue?
One of the biggest issues to avoid when removing carpet protector film is leaving the product on for too long. Know the extent of time your product can lay on your carpet, and do not overextend. Never lay carpet protector film on a wet carpet; this will make the adhesive transfer much more likely. If you follow these steps, adhesive transfer shouldn't be a problem.
Removal of chemical carpet protectors
Generally, chemical carpet protectors will fade on their own and need reapplication. However, there are instances, such as accidentally getting them on wood or vinyl, where you need to get them out as quickly as possible. If you just recently sprayed it on your wood surface, a quick wipe with a dry cloth should do the trick. If it's more set in, try rubbing alcohol to help loosen it up.
Does steam cleaning remove Scotchgard?
Deep steam cleaning will likely weaken and disintegrate the hydrophobic barrier formed by your Scotchgard in the process of cleaning. It's recommended you take the time to reapply another coating of Scotchgard professionally while getting your carpets steam cleaned.
In Closing
You have options when it comes to carpet protection, whether it's a relatively short-term solution to a room renovation or a more lasting attempt to protect against the rigors of life. Now that you know how to handle multiple kinds of carpet protection, you can do the best with your carpet and keep your home safe and beautiful for years to come.