How Often Should You Clean Your Carpet?

“How often should I have my carpet professionally cleaned?” is a question many homeowners ask. It’s no secret that dirt, dust, and spills make their way into your carpet over time, but how often you give those contaminants an eviction notice still isn’t immediately clear.  

So, what’s the ideal carpet cleaning cadence?

Generally, we recommend that carpets be cleaned every 6 to 12 months, but like with any other professional cleaning, the exact cadence depends on a few factors. 

Understanding Your Carpet Cleaning Needs

The first step to determine how often your carpets need to be cleaned is to take stock of your household and what the carpet is exposed to. Consider the following factors:

1. Foot Traffic: The amount of activity in different areas of your home plays a big role in when they need to be cleaned. High-traffic zones like living rooms and hallways accumulate dirt faster than less frequented areas. Therefore, they need cleaning more often to keep them looking fresh and extend their lifespan. Learn simple ways to prevent wear and tear on your floor's high-traffic areas here.

1. Pets and Children: Homes bustling with the energy of kids and pets tend to have carpets that get dirty quickly. Pets shed fur and bring in dirt from outside, while children accidentally spill food and drinks, leading to contaminants deep in the carpet. This ultimately requires more frequent professional cleaning.

1. Environmental Influences: Outdoor air quality, which affects indoor air quality, affects your carpets too. Dust, pollen, and pollutants from the outside world can find their way into your home, settling into carpet fibers. This is especially concerning for people with allergies or those living in areas with high levels of pollution, as it means your carpets might need cleaning more often to maintain a healthy living environment.

Although the generally recommended cadence for carpet cleaning is 6 to 12 months, homes with heavy foot traffic, pets, children, or high levels of environmental pollutants in their area should be cleaned every 3 to 6 months to ensure a clean and healthy home.

Signs Your Carpet Needs Professional Cleaning

You now have a range to tell you roughly how often to get your carpets cleaned, but how do you decide where you fall within that range?

Pay attention to the following indicators to help you decide the right time for a carpet cleaning:

• Persistent Stains and Spots: Some stains go beyond the reach of regular cleaning and can foster bacteria. Professional cleaners have the tools and techniques to remove these stubborn stains and ensure the area is hygienic. If you’re seeing these spots despite treating them with a spot cleaner, you’re probably due for a cleaning soon.

• Lingering Odors: Ongoing odors, despite vacuuming and spot cleaning, indicate contaminants deep within the carpet fibers. A professional cleaning is necessary to fully eliminate these odors, so this is another sign you should schedule a cleaning soon. 

• Health Concerns: If allergies or respiratory issues become more common among household members, your carpet likely has accumulated a significant amount of allergens and dust. Schedule a professional cleaning soon to reduce these irritants and enhance indoor air quality. 

The Importance of Regular Carpet Cleaning

Although we’ve mentioned some important benefits of cleaning your carpet professionally, there are a few we haven’t covered yet. 

• Longevity: If dirt, dander, and spills are left to fester deep in the carpet fibers, the bacteria will continue to replicate and break down. In some cases, this will result in the discoloration and odor we’ve mentioned before. In others, you might see an actual physical breakdown of the carpet fibers. Regularly cleaning your carpet professionally can fight this bacteria and protect your carpets from breakdown, significantly extending their life and ensuring your investment lasts longer. This saves you the hassle and the cost of replacing carpets. 

• Health: If your carpets are free from allergens, bacteria, and pollutants, there will be fewer contaminants getting swept up into your air ducts and circulating throughout your house. As we’ve mentioned before, this will improve indoor air quality and perhaps even reduce health issues related to poor indoor air quality.

• Aesthetic and Comfort: Freshly cleaned carpets look better and feel softer, enhancing the overall ambiance and comfort of your home.

Choosing the Right Cleaning Service

You now know how to identify the signs that you need a professional carpet cleaning, but there’s still one question left: Who do you call to provide the service?

With our rich history and commitment to customer satisfaction, Stanley Steemer offers comprehensive carpet cleaning solutions designed to meet the unique needs of your household. Our team is ready to help you establish a cleaning routine that keeps your carpets looking and feeling great.

We’re even recognized by the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) with a platinum rating for our superior cleaning methods and results.

However, if you want to weigh your options, be sure to look for reputable providers with positive reviews and ample experience. Consider your carpet's material and any specific care instructions from the manufacturer to see if the companies you’re considering can work with your type of carpet.

Stanley Steemer is proud to have trained technicians who are prepared to work with any carpet you have in your home. They know what your carpet needs to stay safe while getting the best clean possible.

Go online to schedule your next carpet cleaning online, or call us by phone and experience the difference it makes in your home's comfort and cleanliness.