"How often should I have my carpets
professionally cleaned?"

A very good question. It depends on quite a few factors such as the number of kids and pets you have, and also how many other occupants are walking on the carpet daily.

Also, are there any family members subject to allergies?
Are your carpets new and under warranty?

We work with each client and their unique situations to determine how often they should have their carpets professionally cleaned for optimal carpet care.
Let's discuss these factors in this article.

The common recommendation by the largest carpet manufactures and by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration) is to:
have your carpets deeply and completely cleaned
by Hot Water Extraction
every 12-18 months —
to keep your carpets looking beautiful,
to improve the health of the air quality in your home,
and to prolong the life of your carpet.

Shaw Industries, one of the largest carpet manufacturers, says it this way:

Is your carpeting new and under warranty?

If you have fairly new carpets, and you’d like to keep your warranty valid, we recommend that you check your paperwork for the details. The largest carpet manufacturers require that you have your carpets professionally cleaned by Hot Water Extraction (often called "Steam Cleaning") every 12-18 months. After your pro cleaning, t's a good idea keep your cleaning receipts in case a warranty issue arises.

In certain situations, you may require more frequent cleaning.

 How many pets do you have?

Dogs and cats and other pets are always a major source of dirt, bacteria, dust, and dander in carpeting and furniture — not to mention the occasional "accidents". Bacteria and urine salts can cause deep problems in carpeting and health issues in some people.

Pet fur is also a magnet for grass, twigs, burrs, and yard dirt that can be brought inside in their fur.

Oils: Pets have favorite spots to curl up on carpeting or furniture. While laying down, their natural oils are secreted from their skin and hair and will begin to cause discoloration and odor in these areas. Needless to say, these areas will need more extra attention by a pro cleaner.

Shedding and Dander: Pets shed fur and dander (skin cells) on a daily basis, which can build up in your carpeting and couches/sofas. Most can be removed by frequent vacuuming, but it will eventually build up deep within the fibers where vacuuming is far less effective. This dander can then be kicked up and become airborne, which can really aggravate people's allergies.

Brush your pets often, and between professional cleanings, we recommend to pet owners that they vacuum at least 3 times a week.

Households with pets generally require more frequent professional deep cleaning.

 How many kids do you have?

Kids can certainly cause a mess on carpet and upholstery — muddy hands and shoes, paints, crayons, fruit juices, dripping popsicles. Carpeting is very enjoyable to play on, and most families are pretty lenient about letting their kids eat on carpeting.

If this describes your family's home, you may consider having your carpets cleaned every 6-8 months rather than the average recommended 12-18 months.

 How often do you perform carpet maintenance tasks?

Regular maintenance like proper vacuuming, cleaning up spills as soon as they happen, strategically placing floor mats and runners in hallways and high-traffic areas, and removing your shoes when walking in the house can help keep carpet clean between cleanings.

Conclusion

At Flawless Cleaning Systems, we are dedicated to help keep your carpets and upholstery in optimal condition, to your standards.

Feel free to discuss the optimal professional cleaning schedule for your home with us. As always, we're here to help!

If you have any questions about how often you should have your carpets professionally cleaned, or anything related to cleaning carpet, upholstery, tile and grout, and maintaining a healthy home, please feel free to give us a call. We'll be happy to help!

To your clean and healthy home!

 
~ Raymond Romero, owner