Prepare your Home for the Holidays!

Before the Festivities Begin

• Deep Clean: The best gift you can give your carpets is a professional deep cleaning before the holiday rush. This removes embedded dirt, allergens, and lingering odors, ensuring a fresh start for the season. Plus, it'll make spot-cleaning any holiday mishaps much easier.

• High-Traffic Zones: Identify the areas in your home that will see the most action — entryways, hallways, living rooms. Consider using area rugs or runners in these spots to protect your carpets from heavy foot traffic and potential spills.

• Furniture Rearrangement: If you're planning to rearrange furniture to accommodate guests or a Christmas tree, do it before the cleaning. This allows the cleaners to reach every nook and cranny.

Party-Ready Prep

• Entryway Etiquette: Many homeowners encourage guests to remove their shoes at the door. This simple act can significantly reduce the amount of dirt and grime tracked onto your carpets. Provide a shoe rack or basket for easy organization.

• Coaster Call: Make sure coasters are readily available for guests to use on coffee tables and end tables. This prevents those dreaded water rings and potential spills from staining your carpet.

• Spill Station: Accidents happen! Keep a stain removal kit handy, stocked with clean cloths, a mild carpet cleaner, and club soda. Blot stains immediately — don't scrub carpet! — to prevent them from setting.

• Vacuum Vigilance: Increase your vacuuming frequency during the holidays, especially in high-traffic areas. This helps remove surface dirt, crumbs, and pine needles that can get ground into the carpet fibers.

Festive Feast First Aid

• Red Wine Rescue: If that holiday cheer leads to a red wine mishap, act fast! Blot the spill immediately with a clean cloth, then apply a mixture of club soda and salt to help lift the stain.

• Gravy Guard: Gravy drips are a common holiday hazard. Sprinkle baking soda on the stain to absorb the grease, then vacuum it up after it dries. Follow up with a mild carpet cleaner if needed.

• Chocolate Cheer Clean-Up: For those inevitable chocolate spills, gently scrape up any excess chocolate with a dull knife. Then, apply a cold compress to harden the remaining chocolate, making it easier to remove.

Post-Holiday Recovery

• Tree Time Tidy-Up: When it's time to say goodbye to the Christmas tree, be mindful of those pesky pine needles. Vacuum thoroughly, using a brush attachment to loosen needles from the carpet fibers.

• Ornament Oops Aftermath: Broken ornaments can leave behind tiny shards of glass. Carefully vacuum the area, then go over it with a lint roller to pick up any remaining fragments.

• Final Refresh: Once the festivities are over and the decorations are packed away, treat your carpets to another professional cleaning. This will remove any lingering dirt, stains, or odors, leaving your home fresh and ready for the new year.

Bonus Tip: Don't forget about your area rugs and upholstery! These often get overlooked during holiday cleaning, but they can also harbor dirt and stains. Consider having them professionally cleaned as well.

By following these tips, you can keep your carpets looking their best throughout the holiday season. And remember, if a stain proves to be too stubborn, don't hesitate to call your carpet care PRO. Happy holidays!