"How often should I get my carpets cleaned?"
Professional carpet cleaning is beneficial in so many ways, but how often should you get your carpets professionally cleaned?
Having your carpets deep cleaned by One of a Kind Pros™ Carpet Cleaning will help its longevity and appearance, but it can also help with the overall air quality inside of your home.
To keep your carpet looking and performing at its best, most carpet manufacturers and The Carpet and Rug Institute recommend having your carpet deep-cleaned every 12 to 18 months.
But every home situation is different, and there are quite a few factors that may require more frequent professional deep cleaning.
If you have pets, kids, a smoker, or if you allow outdoor shoes to be worn inside your home, it is recommended that you have your carpets professionally cleaned more frequently — approximately every 8-12 months. Also, many carpet manufacturers require you to follow a certain cleaning regimen in order to keep your warranty in full effect.
Does your carpet warranty require a specific cleaning schedule?
If yes, please check your warranty paperwork. Most carpet manufactures require that you have a professional steam cleaning (technically named "hot water extraction") once a year.
Also, you may be required to save your receipts for the cleanings in case a warranty issue should arise. This will allow you to document that you followed the manufacturer's instructions for proper care and cleaning frequency.
Do you have any pets?
Pet stains are always a concern because of the complexity of the staining itself. Bacteria and urine salts can cause health issues in some people. Pets can bring a lot of dirt and bacteria into the home if they go outside (to do their business, for example), and then come back inside and track whatever is on their paws onto the carpeting.
Their fur is also a magnet for yard debris — grass, twigs, burrs, and dirt can be brought inside in their fur.
Shedding Fur and Dander: Almost all dogs and cats shed fur and dander (dead skin cells) which can build up in your carpet and upholstery. This dander can be kicked up and become airborne, which can really irritate people with allergies. Brush your pets often, and between professional cleanings, I recommend to households with pets to vacuum at least 3 times a week!
Fluids and Oils: Does your pet like to curl up in the same spot every day? The natural oils secreted from their skin and hair will begin to cause discoloration and odor in these areas. Needless to say, these areas will need more cleaning.
It is clear that households with pets generally require more frequent professional deep cleaning — often recommend twice a year.
Do you have kids?
Our children certainly can make a mess on carpet and upholstery. Muddy shoes, drinks and snacks, arts and crafts — all have a way of ending up on carpet and upholstery. If you are pretty relaxed about letting your kids eat, drink, and play on the carpet, you may want to have your carpets cleaned twice a year rather than the average recommended 12-18 months.
Oily Residues
Cooking oil that becomes airborne, tobacco smoke, soot from candles and fireplaces, oil-based plug-in air fresheners, and other forms of aerosolized oil settles onto your carpet and becomes a magnet for other dirt and particles. Unforntunately, these sticky oily residues cannot be vacuumed up. They can only be thoroughly removed through a deep cleaning with hot water extraction methods.
Foot Traffic and Guests
Much of the foot-traffic that ends up in matted-down carpet depends on how many occupants reside in a home, and/or how often you have guests over. For instance, a couple with no children or pets who don't entertain guests very often won't need to have their carpets and upholstery cleaned as often. In this example case, every 18 months may be enough.
Your Personal Maintenance Routines
Maintaining your carpet regularly can extend the time necessary between professional cleanings. Proper vacuuming, carefully spot-cleaning spills as soon as they occur, using floor mats and hallway runners, and removing your shoes when indoors can help keep carpet clean.
Conclusion
At One Of A Kind Pros™ Carpet Cleaning, We're dedicated to helping you keep your carpets and upholstery in the optimal condition. We will work with you to recommend how frequently you would need professional cleanings in order to meet your standards.
We provide email reminders for our clients when the time comes to get your carpets cleaned again.
If you have any questions about this article, or anything related to cleaning carpet, upholstery, tile and grout, and maintaining a healthy home, please feel free to give us a call, and let's talk!
To your healthy home,
