Deep cleaning all depends on the amount of traffic in your home. We recommend deep cleaning your carpets and rugs at least twice a year, however, if you have pets, kids or a smoking habit, we recommend deep cleaning every quarter.
As with other soils, spots and stains can attract more soiling. Removing them promptly protects carpeting from damage. Prevents buildup of allergens and bacteria. Moist soiling of carpets can result in the buildup of several unhealthy contaminants.
Carpet Shampooing: Pros and Cons
There's no doubt that soap and water are a good combination for cleaning just about anything, even carpets. A good head of foamy soap can help to remove stains and soil, even ground-in soil, from a number of different pile types and fibers.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There are many reasons you may want to hire a carpet cleaner. From pet accidents to spillages, dirt and liquid build-ups can cause unsightly stains, discolouration and even nasty odours. Carpet cleaners can now be found in most leading hardware stores and even high street supermarkets.
It is not advisable to leave the carpet wet. It will make your home smelly and promote mould growth. When the carpet gets wet, it's important to act quickly in order to prevent further damage. If possible, move any furniture or other items off of the carpet and begin blotting up the water with a clean, dry towel.
Steam Cleaning is one of the most common and most popular carpet cleaning methods. It is officially called Hot-Water Extraction and is considered by many to be one of the best carpet cleaning methods to choose from.
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.
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.
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.
Hot Water Extraction
Otherwise known as steam cleaning, this is easily the most common professional carpet cleaning technique. Steam cleaning uses hot water at high pressure to penetrate into carpet fibers, breaking down the dirt and bacteria stored deep within. The hot water is then extracted via vacuum.
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.
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."
Stanley Steemer prices vary from $125 to $143 per room for carpet cleaning to $125 to $440 per piece for upholstery cleaning. Total costs vary depending on the room size, furniture type, and your home's accessibility. Cleaning out your air ducts with Stanley Steemer costs $500 to $1,000 on average.
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.
Best practices for safety after carpet cleaning
First, allow sufficient drying time, ideally, wait at least 6 to 8 hours before re-entering the room, and aim for 24 hours for complete dryness.
This “phantom stain” phenomenon is caused by a process known as “wicking”, which is the upward flow of water (and anything dissolved in that water) to the surface of carpet fibers as they dry. Where this becomes a problem is when more than just clean water is left to dry in carpets or upholstery.
Regular professional cleaning is a key component of carpet maintenance that can extend the life of your carpet far beyond what might be expected if it were left to accumulate dirt, debris, and wear over time.
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.
The Myth of Clear Water
People believe that clear water indicates the complete removal of dirt and cleaning agents. However, this belief is not entirely accurate. While rinsing your carpet is an essential step in the cleaning process, achieving completely clear water is not always realistic or necessary.
Myth: “Carpet cleaning ruins the original look of carpet, so don't clean it unless absolutely necessary.” Truth: Modern carpet cleaners, and cleaning chemicals, are completely safe to use on carpets. They are designed to firmly but gently reach down between the fibres of your carpet to clean them completely.