How Often Should You Get Your Carpets Professionally Cleaned?

Carpets bring coziness and warmth to homes while offering other aesthetic advantages. In the long run, however, they will still require professional care as they are notorious for capturing dirt, dust, allergens, and bacteria. How frequently should one get carpets cleaned? The answer is determined by several components such as the number of people walking in the area, pet ownership, children, and even the likelihood of allergies. By being aware of such factors, you are better equipped to have a clean and sanitary home.

General Recommendation for Carpet Cleaning

In a more general sense of things, carpets should be professionally cleaned at least once every 12 to 18 months. Additionally, regular cleaning can help remove deep stubborn dirt and allergens that no vacuuming could ever be able to remove. However, the general rule does change in consideration of a household’s lifestyle and working conditions, as some families may need more frequent cleaning than others.

Factors Affecting Cleaning Frequency

The greatest focus is on foot traffic concerning how frequently carpets need to be cleaned. Single-person households and homes without children or pets have less foot traffic and therefore can afford to extend professional cleaning for up to 18 to 24 months. That said, larger families or households with heavy foot traffic should consider cleaning their carpets frequently, every 6 to 12 months, to maintain hygiene and appearance.

The presence of pets in the household greatly influences the frequency of carpet hygiene. Cats and dogs will surely leave behind fur, debris dander, or dirt, and in some cases, accidents. In these scenarios, carpet cleaning should be professionally done at least bi-annually. In homes with multiple pets, carpets will most likely retain foul odor and allergens so cleaning every three to six months is recommended.

When families have young children, cleaning their carpets will become more frequent. Kids often are messy eaters or drinkers, which causes stains and germs to build up within the carpets. It is important to maintain the hygiene of the home through professional carpet cleaning around the 6 to 9-month mark, especially, where children are present.

Indicators That Your Carpet Requires Expert Cleaning

In case you are in doubt whether your carpets require any professional attention, consider stains that seem to be beyond your cleaning talents. One glaring example is stains that are visible despite your efforts to clean them. If the carpet does not appear clean after your cleaning efforts, then it is recommended to enlist the services of a carpet cleaning expert to restore the carpet to its previous condition.

Another sign is lingering smells. The odors that carpets can emit include the adverse effects from pets, spilled food, and excess moisture. These are smells that an ordinary vacuum cleaner will not eliminate. However, professional carpet cleaning can do this, along with leaving your home fresh.

Another indicator likely to aggravate allergy symptoms among family members is the increase in carpet allergens. If you start noticing more sneezing, coughing, or even itchy eyes when you’re in the house, then it may be the perfect time to call in an expert carpet cleaning.

Further Suggestions For Maintenance

Having carpets professionally cleaned can be an expensive option, but can be avoided. Vacuuming your carpets regularly will help. Additionally, schedule professional cleaning as needed, and maintain the cleanliness of your carpets by vacuuming at least 2 times a week. This will make it easy to get rid of the surface soil and aid in maintaining the quality of the carpets.

Make sure that any spills are taken care of proactively as they can create permanent stains in the longer run. Make use of clean cloths by blotting spills with them, and subsequently utilize a stain remover to deal with the stains before they set in.

To limit the dirt and other particles coming into the house, consider placing doormats at the entrances. Also, consider enforcing the ‘no shoes on carpet’ rule with family members and guests to further help reduce buildup. 

To avoid uneven wear and tear on carpets, consider moving or rotating the furniture from time to time. Doing so will ensure that the weight is evenly dispersed, and aid in reducing indentations in the carpets due to moving heavy furniture.

Conclusion 

How often one needs professional carpet cleaning takes several factors into account, for instance, the number of people in the house, whether there are pets and children, and any allergies present. Your and your family members’ health has a direct correlation with the indoor environment, and relying on professional carpet cleaning services will not only keep the home organized but also healthier. It is recommended to have thorough carpet cleaning done every 12 to 18 months; however, in some cases, it will be needed every 3 to 6 months. Simply boiling water and removing stains will maintain the carpets in prime condition, but thorough cleaning can only be achieved with professional care. Moreover, regular vacuuming will decrease the need for intensive stain removal and preventative care will also go a long way. Cleaning carpets periodically, along with other precautions, will create a safe and healthy jurisdiction.