Carpets are the most overlooked household item, probably because they aren’t always the focal point of any home. A carpet traps dust and pollen and also endures stains and spills. Depending on how heavy you use the carpet, you’ll need to have it cleaned more often. If you can’t remember the last time you had a professional clean your carpet, yet you smoke, use shoes inside your house, have pets or have young children, then it’s about time you had it cleaned.
According to the Carpets and Rugs Institute, your carpet should be cleaned every 12-18 months. Households with heavy foot traffic should clean carpets more frequently depending on the number of occupants.
Is it worth having your carpets professionally cleaned in the first place? Let’s find out!
Table of contents
- Is It Worth Getting Carpets Cleaned?
- How Often Should Carpet be Professionally Cleaned?
- What are the Benefits of Having your Carpet Cleaned?
- Is it Cheaper to Clean or Replace Carpet?
Is It Worth Getting Carpets Cleaned?
Yes, it’s worth getting carpets cleaned professionally. If you aren’t sure when to call in a professional carpet cleaner in Atlanta, Georgia, here are the telltale signs that your carpet needs some cleaning.
The House has a Lingering Smell
Has your home or office started having a foul smell, but you can’t tell where it’s coming from? Have you tried aerating, using air fresheners, but it still won’t disappear? Your carpet could be the issue, and it’s time you had it cleaned.
When spills from food, drinks, or pet urines fall on the carpet, they seep below the fibers, and if not cleaned sooner, they cause the carpets to smell.
You use Shoes Inside the House
Some people remove shoes at the doorstep, but others don’t, especially in a place like Atlanta.
Walking outside and then using the same shoes indoors deposits all types of dirt and dust from your shoes on the carpet. If you prefer wearing shoes indoors, it’s important to vacuum clean the carpet at least three times a week and deep clean it at least every six months.
The Carpet has Discolored
When you notice that your carpet looks duller than when you bought it, it’s time to clean it. Carpets discolor especially areas that receive high traffic and the edges, due to the accumulation of dirt deep down the fibers.
Stains that Have Set
After a spill or pet mess, most people tend to let the stain dry. Unfortunately, when you allow a stain to dry, it sets and becomes very difficult to get rid of. Such stains cannot come off using regular cleaning products and equipment. Here, you’ll need to call in a professional. If you don’t, your carpet could get damaged, and its lifespan could shorten significantly. Carpets are expensive, and you don’t want to budget for one soon while you can protect them to extend their lifespan.
How Often Should Carpet be Professionally Cleaned?
The number of times you need to have your carpet cleaned varies depending on several factors.
The Color of your Carpet
Carpets that are light in color show stains and dirt faster than their dull counterparts. Light-colored carpets are great if you want to brighten your space. If you want to maintain bright-colored carpets, you’ll need them cleaned every 6-12 months to prevent discoloration.
Do you Have Allergies?
If you or anyone in the family has allergies, it’s important to vacuum and clean your carpets regularly. When dust, pollen, and other allergens settle on the carpet, they become airborne when disturbed by walking or moving furniture.
To protect people with allergies, you’ll need to vacuum the carpet at least once a week to dislodge loose debris that has not been embedded in the carpet fibers. Then, you can clean the carpet yourself every two months and have it professionally deep cleaned every 6-12 months.
Pet Owners
Do you have furry friends around the house? The pets have dander and fur that falls on the carpet. Pets can also mess on the carpet or walk on it with muddy paws. These stains, if left untreated, will lead to a dirty and smelly carpet. As a pet owner, you should aim at vacuuming about two times a week and call in a professional to deep clean every three to six months.
Young Children
Young children love playing on a carpet, and as they do so, they may urinate on them or even spill food and drinks. Dirty carpets are also a health hazard for young children whose immune systems are still developing. With children, aim at cleaning your carpet every six months but call in a professional carpet cleaner in Atlanta, Georgia, every 12 months.
What are the Benefits of Having your Carpet Cleaned?
Carpets make our spaces comfortable and warm. However, if not cleaned well, a carpet can host harmful allergens that can affect the quality of our indoor air and the health of the occupants. Here are some of the benefits of having your carpet professionally cleaned.
Removes Stubborn Stains
Wine spills, urine stains, and coffee spills are the most stubborn stains. Over time, stains will discolor your carpets, making your house dull. Often, these stains won’t come off with standard cleaning methods and products. Professional cleaners have special equipment and cleaning products that tackle even the toughest stains.
Increase the Lifespan of your Carpets
The fibers of a dirty carpet often look flattened and dilapidated. Professional cleaning tackles the fibers without damaging them. After a professional deep cleaning, your carpet will look as good as new, and the fibers will feel strong to the touch. Undoubtedly, a carpet is expensive to buy, but it is relatively cheaper to maintain the one you have rather than replace it.
Poor cleaning techniques can also destroy your carpet. Different carpets require different techniques. It’s also important to note that depending on the fabric of your carpet, the cleaning solutions also matter. Experts know what techniques and cleaning agents to use for particular carpets.
A poor quality carpet lasts about five years, a medium quality one lasts about ten years, while a good quality one lasts fifteen years or more. The lifespan of a carpet can deteriorate with poor maintenance. Regular cleaning will ensure that your carpet serves you for an extended period.
Gets Rid of Foul Smells
Another benefit of having your carpet cleaned is getting rid of bad smells. Smells often come from pet urine, food particles, and drink spills. These smells will rarely clear with normal cleaning products. Liquid spills can also lead to a problem of mold and mildew on your carpet.
Deep cleaning your carpets professionally will tackle these spills and food particles that have settled on the carpet fibers leaving them smelling fresh and clean for a long time.
Removes Allergens and other Germs
Dust and pollen that settles on the carpet can affect the air quality in your house. Lately, have you been having respiratory issues such as sneezing, running nose, and coughing, but when you go outdoors, you feel better? If so, you could be allergic due to a lot of dust, dust mites, pollen, pet hairs, and dander on your carpet and rugs.
Regular vacuum cleaning of carpets can pick up any allergens loosely lying on the carpet. However, a vacuum cleaner cannot tackle the dirt that has seeped deep down the carpet fibers. These can only be removed using proper equipment and products.
Is it Cheaper to Clean or Replace Carpet?
If you’re wondering whether it’s cheaper to clean or replace your carpet, it depends on the particular circumstances surrounding your decision. If your carpet has some stubborn stains that won’t come off no matter what products you use, you could try calling in a professional before deciding to replace it.
Buying a new carpet is a heavy investment that could cost you several thousands of dollars for a quality carpet. On the other hand, cleaning will only see you spend between $1-$3 per square foot, depending on the quality of your carpet and the service provider.
Some of the stains that you think cannot come off will be easy to tackle for a professional cleaner. If you aren’t sure, you can try cleaning one room first. If the results are pleasing, you should forego buying a new carpet and think about cleaning the rest of the space.Are you ready to clean your carpet professionally? Do you want your rugs to regain their former glory? It’s time to call in a professional carpet cleaner. Our company offers the best carpet cleaning services for homes, residential buildings, and offices. We offer competitive rates to homeowners and business owners around Atlanta.