Why It’s Important To Clean Your Carpet
(and Why It’s Best To Hire A Professional)
Although it can be considered an unnecessary expense (or just not considered at all), it’s important to clean your carpet routinely. The biggest benefit of getting your carpet cleaned is that it will rid your home of allergens and other unhealthy bacteria.
Professional (i.e. quality) and routine carpet cleaning will also improve the appearance and extend the life of your carpet.
Having carpet actually serves a surprising amount of function in the home. It not only offers a warm aesthetic and comfortable environment, but carpet also acts as a natural insulator by providing thermal resistance and insulation.
Your home’s carpet is where you can gather comfortably together with family and pets, but at the same time, it can also be one of the biggest collectors of dust mites, bacteria, dirt, grime, dander and all those other illness-causing, microscopic pests. If we could actually see these miniscule irritations, it would be a very scary site!
The goal is to keep your carpeting at peak performance and health. To do that requires regular maintenance and upkeep- just as you maintain every other part of your home. Whether you own or rent, it’s important to vacuum at least three times per week and have your carpets professionally cleaned at least once per year (twice is preferable) in order to keep them healthy, clean and looking great.
The Downside of Cleaning Your Own Carpet
Carpet cleaning professionals are familiar with all the different types of carpet, rugs and upholstery and will utilize best practices when cleaning them. They have extensive experience in stain removal and can rid you of your most annoying stains and high-traffic area issues.
Although it can be fiscally-tempting to rent a carpet cleaner and just do it yourself, there are several barriers to getting the same level of quality as a professional clean.
Many carpet-cleaning novices make the error of using too much shampoo when cleaning the carpet. If too much shampoo is used, a sticky layer of residue is created that will act as a powerful magnet for dirt, grime and bacteria until the carpet is cleaned again. Oftentimes, a stubborn stain will come back with a vengeance after being cleaned because the extra shampoo will stick to the stain rather than lift it.
Another mistake made when cleaning carpet is over-wetting, which occurs when too much water is used and the carpet becomes too wet (especially when not dried quickly and appropriately). In this case, the carpet can shrink and tear itself. Not to mention, mold and mildew growth can quickly start at the bottom layers when over-wet, causing your carpet to develop a rancid smell. The only way to get rid of the mold and smell is to replace the carpet.
That’s where professional carpet cleaning comes in.
The Advantages of Hiring A Professional Carpet Cleaning Service
There are lots of advantages to getting your carpet professionally cleaned, as opposed to renting equipment and doing it DIY-style. Renting a machine and cleaning your own carpet can cost more in the long run. Hiring a knowledgeable company can be just as cost-effective (and a whole lot easier) than doing it yourself.
If you watch for seasonal specials and random discounts, having your carpet cleaned professionally We recommend that you clean your carpet in the springtime after tracking in all that mud, debris and winter bacteria and again in the fall.
Professional carpet cleaners, while also using higher-quality equipment, will follow certain procedures to ensure that your carpet is clean and sanitized. They also take steps to prohibit the growth of mold and mildew during the process.
Taking all of this care will ensure that you are prolonging the life of your carpet through effective care and routine maintenance- all while maintaining a healthy living space.
Your carpet is home to dozens of different allergens. These include bacteria, viruses, mold spores, insect feces, dust mites, pet hair/ dander and much more.
Getting your carpet sanitized and as clean as possible is the goal- and vacuums and rental carpet cleaners just don’t measure up.
If it’s time to clean your carpet, you should consider that …
1. A professional carpet cleaner has the tools and resources to get down to the very bottom layers of your carpeting, rug or upholstery. They are better equipped to remove all of the hair, pet dander, allergens, bacteria, dust mites and viruses that are embedded within your carpet, making it safe and healthy for you and your family.
(Did you know that Norovirus can live up to a month in your carpet?!)
2. A professional will remove all of the dirt, wine, coffee spills, pet mess and ink stains. They will also be able to restore those areas that have darkened in high-traffic areas. A professional cleaning will make your carpet smell and look better while extending its life cycle.
3. Cleaning your own carpet is labor-intensive, and if you call a qualified company to help, you don’t have to worry about over-wetting, using too much shampoo or protecting your furniture (and carpet) against costly mistakes.