New England autumn is gorgeous right up until it's tracked across your floor. Wet leaves, cooling mud and the shorter, damper days all conspire to move the outdoors indoors — usually on the bottom of someone's shoes or a dog's paws.
Autumn's particular kind of mess
Fall brings challenges spring doesn't. Wet leaves carry tannins that can leave brownish stains on carpet if they sit, mud comes in cold and sticky, and with less sun and more damp, everything dries slower — so messes have more time to soak in.
Double up on mats now
This is the season to put mats at every entrance if you haven't already — a scraper mat outside and an absorbent one inside. It's the single easiest way to stop most of the leaf bits and mud at the door.
Keep a paw-wiping routine
If you've got a dog, a towel by the door through fall saves your carpet a lot of grief. Wet, muddy paws are one of the top sources of autumn staining and odor — a quick wipe before they run through the house makes a real difference.
Vacuum before you wash
When mud or crushed leaves end up on the carpet, let them dry completely, then vacuum before you add any water. Working a wet mud or leaf stain only grinds it deeper and spreads it wider.
Watch for tannin stains
If a wet leaf leaves a brown mark, blot it (never rub) with cool water and a little dish soap. Tannin stains can be stubborn, and once they've set they often need professional treatment. If a spot won't lift, our carpet cleaning can take it from here — request a free quote.