How often should carpets be cleaned?

Author: Evert Turcotte DDS  |  Last update: Wednesday, March 5, 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 you professionally clean carpet?

Professionally deep clean your carpets every 12 to 18 months to remove embedded dirt and grime. SOA-certified cleaners are recommended and sometimes required by the manufacturer to ensure results and warranty protection.

How would I know if my carpet needs cleaning?

10 Signs That Your Carpet Needs Professional Cleaning
  1. The carpets are visibly dirty. ...
  2. The carpets are stained. ...
  3. There is an unpleasant smell coming from the carpets. ...
  4. The carpets are attracting pests, such as spiders or mice. ...
  5. The carpets are releasing dust particles into the air.

What happens when 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

What are the disadvantages of carpet cleaning?

Carpet cleaning, while essential for maintaining a clean and fresh living space, can contribute to wear and tear on carpet fibers over time. The vigorous scrubbing and high-pressure cleaning methods used by some carpet cleaning companies can cause damage to the delicate fibers, reducing the carpet's lifespan.

Does a room need to be empty for carpet cleaning?

Homeowners can still prepare a room effectively for carpet cleaning without the need for complete evacuation. To prepare a room, start by clearing small items such as toys, decor, and loose objects. This ensures that the cleaning process is efficient and does not damage any delicate items.

What not to do after carpet cleaning?

Strictly precautionary and for your protection, please do not let children or pets on damp carpets or fabrics. Do not walk barefoot or in socks, or touch wet carpet or fabrics. 24 hours recommended. Use booties or clean soled shoes to walk on damp carpet.

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.

Should carpets be vacuumed after cleaning?

Residual Dirt Removal: Vacuuming after cleaning ensures any loosened dirt and debris left behind is completely removed, preventing it from settling back into the carpet fibers.

What should you not clean carpet with?

Abrasive cleaners can damage the carpet fibers and leave a bare spot where the stain used to be. The same goes for heavy-duty scrubbing brushes. If you must scrub your carpet, use a mild cleaner and a soft bristle brush to prevent damage.

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.

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 much is Stanley Steemer?

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.

How long does Stanley Steemer carpet cleaning take?

On average, it will take approximately 5 to 10 minutes per room. This time can vary greatly depending on the amount of furniture to be moved, how soiled the carpet is, and any necessary spot removal treatments. Learn more about carpet cleaning.

What happens if you don't clean your carpet?

Cleaning carpets regularly is more than just keeping them looking good. It's crucial for a healthy home. Dirty carpets collect dirt, dust, and allergens, which can harm your health and air quality. They can also shorten your carpet's life.

Do you tip professional carpet cleaners?

If you're hiring a professional carpet cleaner near you, it's not necessary or expected to give them a tip. However, if they're prompt, courteous, do a wonderful job, or exceed expectations by doing extra work at no charge, it's a nice gesture to tip them.

Is professional carpet cleaning better than doing it yourself?

DIY Carpet Cleaning May Lead to Damage to Your Carpet

When you clean your own carpets you also run the risk of damaging your carpet. Some rental carpet cleaners are extremely harsh and can lead to faster wear and tear on your carpets than professional services.

Why is carpet cleaning so expensive?

The base price for carpet cleaning can escalate with the addition of services like stain removal, odor removal, and applying protectants. These services tackle specific issues such as pet odors, deep stains, or high traffic areas that require special attention and materials, which add to the cost.

Why does my carpet look streaky after cleaning?

Sometimes, the high pH hasn't been fully rinsed out of the carpet. This leaves the carpet at too high of a pH, which causes you to have brown spots on the carpet after carpet cleaning. Usually, the brown spots are going to be pretty large, widespread, and may appear streaky with a brownout.

How often do most people clean their carpets?

But twice a week is ideal for high-traffic areas and households with pets, children, or family members with allergies. "Carpets should be professionally cleaned every 12 to 18 months," says Miles. Deep cleaning helps remove dirt and grime from carpet fibers.

Can I use pine sol in my carpet cleaner?

Pine-sol or others you just have to get the amount correct to the tank volume. I would advise flushing the machine with clean water after each use, just to help out all of the nozzles and seals on it to not wear them down. Other than that, you'll be fine.

Why is my carpet yellow after cleaning?

If not properly rinsed out, alkaline cleaning products cause carpets to turn yellow. Thoroughly rinsing the carpet using an acid rinse removes the chemical residue and stabilizes and neutralizes the carpet dye. Hence, it restores the original color of your carpet.

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