How many times a year should you clean your carpet?

Author: Lenora Crona  |  Last update: Friday, April 4, 2025

Carpet manufacturers typically recommend a weekly surface clean and a deep clean at least once every 12 to 18 months. Hubert Miles, Certified Master Inspector and owner of Patriot Home Inspections in South Carolina, shares why.

How often should a carpet be cleaned?

Carpet manufacturers typically recommend deep cleaning carpets every 12 to 18 months, says Mock. "Hot water extraction is the most common method used. You can hire a professional, or you can purchase or rent a cleaner from your local home improvement store to DIY."

Can you vacuum a carpet too often?

There are no strict rules when it comes to how often you should hoover your house, but by using the following as a guideline, you can prolong the life of both your carpet and underlay. Carpets can usually withstand being vacuumed several times a week without being damaged.

Is it worth having your carpets professionally cleaned?

Regular carpet cleaning can extend the life of your carpet as well as get rid of tough stains. Most carpet manufacturers recommend having carpet professionally cleaned every 12-18 months, depending on how much foot traffic your home gets.

What happens if you don't clean your carpet?

Dirt and grime will get trapped in the deep fibers of your carpet, which will in turn damage it. Your carpet will start losing its beauty, and it will have discoloration all over it. Not only this, but your carpet will also have a very bad odor which can make you feel uneasy.

Why Professional Carpet Cleaning? How Often Should You have your carpets Cleaned? Carpet Cleaning

Do carpets get dirtier after cleaning?

After the cleaning crew leaves, the gunk remaining in your carpeting acts like a magnet for a whole new layer of grime. Thankfully, there are ways to slow this process. Let's look at the starting point. After just one year, even new carpeting can hold as much as one pound of dust, dirt and mold per square inch.

Is 20 year old carpet unhealthy?

Carpets can be a breeding ground for dust mites and bacteria. The older the carpet gets, the more it catches and retains nasty substances that can trigger allergies and asthma. If you find yourself suffering from allergy symptoms more regularly, your carpet could be to blame.

How much should carpet cleaning cost?

On average, professional carpet cleaning costs $150-$200, says David Steckel, home care expert at Thumbtack. “Carpet cleaning services may charge anywhere from $89-$109 on the low end and $300-$400 on the high end,” Steckel says.

What are the disadvantages of carpet cleaning?

Homeowners should be cautious about the cleaning products used by carpet cleaning companies, opting for environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic options when possible.
  • Mold and Mildew Growth. ...
  • Wear and Tear on Carpet Fibers. ...
  • Disruption and Downtime. ...
  • Cost Considerations.

Is it worth cleaning 20 year old carpet?

Age: If carpet is more than 12-15 years old, and hasn't been professionally cleaned at regular intervals, it most likely will need replacing. Conditions such as filter soiling, crushing, and traffic patterns will have taken their toll on the carpet, and a single cleaning will not undo decades of wear.

Do you keep cleaning carpet until water is clear?

Yes and no. On one hand, you should keep cleaning until the water runs clear. This will ensure that all the dirt and grime are removed from the carpet. However, on the other hand, you shouldn't scrub too hard or use too much water.

How often should a house be vacuumed?

For example, bedrooms and home offices should be vacuumed weekly. Areas with high traffic, such as the kitchen, living room, and children's playrooms, should be cleaned at least twice a week. To create your ideal vacuuming schedule, experts share how often you should vacuum various surfaces in the home.

What is the first thing to do before vacuuming a carpet?

The first step before starting to vacuum should always be to check the filters and recovery bag. If the bag is anywhere near full, it should be changed before starting your job. A typical vacuum with a bag that is over 50% full can lose up to 80% of its vacuuming performance.

What time of year is best for carpet cleaning?

This is during the spring and the autumn months of the year. Professional carpet cleaning in the spring just makes sense because spring cleaning! It can be an excellent way to start fresh by removing winter dirt, salt and debris buildup. Carpet cleaning in the spring can also help maintain an allergy-free workplace.

How often should you wash your sheets?

"Regular washing, or about once every one to two weeks, is recommended to maintain cleanliness and a healthy sleep environment," says Harris. Once a week if you don't use a top sheet. Once a month if you do. Once a week if you don't use a top sheet.

How often do people get their carpets professionally cleaned?

Have your carpet professionally cleaned every 12 to 18 months or more frequently if necessary.

Is it better to shampoo or steam clean carpets?

Although we offer both approaches, in our opinion, steam cleaning tends to be the better option in most situations. Here's why: It can usually remove ingrained dirt more effectively – particularly stubborn stains that have embedded themselves deep into the fibres.

How unhealthy are carpets?

Carpets and rugs may trap pollutants and allergens like dust mites, pet dander, cockroach allergens, particle pollution, lead, mold spores, pesticides, dirt and dust. Toxic gases in the air can stick to small particles that settle into carpets.

What is the most effective carpet cleaning method?

The Best Carpet Cleaning Process found by Nationwide Consumer Testing is the Circular Dry-Foam Carpet Cleaning Method. The Circular Dry-Foam Carpet Cleaning Method had a very high level of soil removal (92.3%) with little or no soap residue. It doesn't use harsh detergents which are oily or sticky.

Is it cheaper to clean your own carpets?

A DIY carpet cleaning system may allow you to clean your carpets for a lower price point. However, be aware that you also will need to buy solution as well as rent the machine, driving up costs. Ultimately, by going the DIY route, you will sacrifice a major level of quality in the clean.

How much does Stanley steemer charge for carpet cleaning?

Stanley Steemer typically charges around $50-$75 per room for areas exceeding 400 square feet. The cost may increase depending on the level of dirt or stains present. It's important to note that these prices are estimates and can vary depending on your location and specific requirements.

Do you tip carpet cleaners?

If you wish to tip your carpet cleaner, 10% to 20% of the total bill is acceptable. If you have multiple cleaners on the job, you can split the tip between them. Another option is to tip them a flat fee of $10 to $20 per person. However, how much to tip your carpet cleaner is entirely up to your discretion.

What carpet to avoid?

Synthetic Chemicals

Most carpet is made from synthetic fibers, usually nylon and polypropylene. Both materials are made from non-renewable petroleum and emit harmful VOCs into the air.

How do you tell if your carpet is making you sick?

Symptoms include:
  1. Itchy, skin, eyes, and nose.
  2. Sneezing.
  3. Running nose and eyes.
  4. A scratchy throat.
  5. Hives.
  6. Coughing and wheezing.
  7. Trouble breathing / Shortness of breath.
  8. Pressure in your chest.

How often should carpeting be replaced?

Most carpeting, if properly cleaned and maintained, should last around 10 years before it will need replacing. If it hasn't been well maintained, then the reasonable life expectancy of your carpet may be closer to five years.

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