Carpet underlays are important in making sure your carpets always provide cushioning and support. But just like carpets, these things can also accumulate dirt, dust, and allergens that could affect the quality and the carpet’s lifespan. So, it’s best to include it in your cleaning or maintenance checklist when you have the time.
Why Cleaning Carpet Underlay and Padding is Essential
Cleaning the underlay and padding of your carpet is not just about aesthetics. It has several practical benefits that contribute to a healthier living environment.
- Improved Air Quality – Dust, dirt, and allergens can accumulate in the underlay and padding, leading to poor indoor air quality. Regular cleaning helps to remove these contaminants, ensuring a healthier home.
- Extended Carpet Lifespan – Dirty underlay and padding can cause your carpet to wear out faster. By keeping these layers clean, you can extend the life of your carpet, saving you money in the long run.
- Enhanced Comfort – A clean underlay and padding provide better cushioning and support, making your carpet more comfortable to walk on. Source: Diamond Oven & Carpet Cleaning
Preferred types of Carpet Underlay
There are 3 main types of underlay that vary differently in the purpose they serve. It’s important to know what they can provide for you before hitting the checkout button; if you’re shopping online for one right now.
Polyurethane (PU) Foam – A popular choice for a softer, more comfortable feel for our foot, it’s excellent as a soft underfoot and thermal insulator.
Due to its soft nature, however, it will flatten over time and may need more frequent replacements.
Rubber – A less soft, but good enough substitute to the PU foam, sponge rubber also provides strong soundproofing and protection for your carpet.
However, an inexpensive choice may bring an easily flattened one, that may also disintegrate over time.
Felt – A premium choice rich in wool felt is firm and recovers quickly from furniture marks.
Due to the highly firm nature, however, it does not have the greatest underfoot. Source: de Hygienique
Cleaning The Underlay
Step 1 – Remove the surface carpet. If it is not damaged or dirty, move it to another room so you can reinstall it after you finish cleaning the underlay.
Step 2 – Vacuum any lose dirt and debris from the underlay. If possible, opt for a vacuum with a HEPA filter so that debris doesn’t blow into the surrounding air.
Step 3 – Put on kitchen gloves or other protective rubber gloves.
Step 4 – Soak a soft cloth in oxygen bleach and wring it out over a sink or bucket so that the cloth is moist, but will not cause bleach to pool on any surface it touches. Gently dab any stained areas of the carpet pad, such as where pet urine stains leaked through the surface carpet. Do not add bleach directly to the carpet pad and do not drag the bleach through a large area of the pad. Simple dabbing should remove the stain and smell.
Step 5 – Place an industrial vacuum and dehumidifier in the room and wait for the carpet underlay to dry. Source: eHow
Since carpet underlays may take some time to clean because of the process, then you can always have a professional to handle this task for you. At Curlys Carpet Repair, you can trust us to take care of anything that’s related to carpets so make sure to get in touch with us. Just give us a call!