What is the best method for cleaning carpets?

Carpets often act as a Petri dish for germs. Regardless of color or length, dirt and bacteria build up in your carpet fibers, contributing to allergy issues and health concerns. Because of this, deep cleaning carpets is a necessity. However, not all methods of carpet cleaning are effective. If you want to save time and money and get the job done right, then it’s important to understand which method works best.

Steam Cleaning or Chemicals?

While arguments can be made for both steam cleaning and chemical cleaning, each is situational, and several factors must be considered before choosing the optimal method. Here is a general overview of each cleaning method:

Steam Cleaning

Even if you don’t have any deep stains in your carpet, severe allergies can be an indication that your floor is due for a cleaning. Generally speaking, steam cleaning is better for allergy-related cleaning. Steam cleaning pentetrates the carpet with a high-temperature detergent, removing roughly 97% of bacterial buildup from your carpet.

Steam cleaning carpets is a great option for long-term dirt accumulation as well as for deep, stubborn stains. The main drawback is that the drying time is quite long. It will likely take between 12 and 24 hours for your carpet to dry again.

Chemicals

Chemical cleaning solutions must be used with caution. This method is typically better for surface-level stains and more regular cleanings, while steam cleaning is more occasional. However, many chemicals can be harmful when touched or ingested. There is also the possibility that some harsh chemical residue will be left in the carpet.

When using chemicals, it is best to speak to a professional regarding the types you use. One advantage of chemical cleaning is a quick drying time. While steam cleaning leaves the carpet damp for a while, you can walk on your floor again almost directly after using dry chemical cleaning.

Cost also plays a factor when considering which method to use for carpet and upholstery cleaning. Contact your carpet cleaning company for a quote to find out which one will be more cost effective.

How are Carpets Professionally Cleaned?

While it is often possible for you to personally perform spot treatments and basic carpet cleaning, you should also have a professional in regularly to ensure you are reaching deep into the carpet fibers. Professional carpet cleaners provide the following benefits:

• Faster drying time
• Powerful equipment
• Guaranteed penetration

Carpet cleaning professionals will often bring in large, powerful cleaners for steam cleaning, or a cleaning system attached to a vehicle. This keeps you from having to rent your own equipment.

Much like you would perform other home maintenance such as routine HVAC checkups, it is important that you invest in a proper cleaning process to ensure a comfortable home.

How Often Should Your Carpets Be Cleaned?

There are a number of factors that can influence the frequency with which your carpets should be cleaned, including the following:

Levels of traffic

Depending on how many people there are in your family, as well as how often they are in the house, you may have to vacuum more or less frequently.

Weather

Mud, dust, and sand all have a knack for entering the house on shoes and leaving their print on the carpet. Particularly rainy or dusty seasons might mean you have to clean your carpet more often.

Children/pets

Outdoor pets bring in a lot of dirt and grass, while untrained puppies could have their share of accidents. Small children also tend to have a lot of spills.

As a general rule, you should vacuum your carpet every couple of days, more or less frequent depending on how often people are walking across the floor. Spills and stains should be taken care of as soon as they are noticed. However, your carpets should be professionally cleaned at least once a year.

Here are some of the benefits of cleaning your carpet regularly:

• Healthier air quality

Allergens inside the carpet negatively affect the indoor air quality, causing itchy eyes, skin, and runny noses. Infants who might be crawling close to the floor ingest a lot of bacteria and dirt, which can cause damage to their lungs. Keeping your carpet fresh is beneficial to your health.

• Cleaner appearance

Not only does carpet cleaning affect the way you feel, but it also affects the way your house looks. A clean carpet can make all the difference between a dingy-looking home and a bright, fresh one.

• Longer-lasting carpet

To make things last, you must take care of them. Maintaining your carpet prolongs the need to replace it, saving you money in the long term.

It is important to have your carpets cleaned regularly to ensure clean air, personal health, and maximum home comfort. If you have any further questions, or if you would like to schedule professional carpet cleaning services, call Spectrum Carpet Cleaning today. We are an Indianapolis carpet cleaning company whose clients enjoy top-notch carpet cleaning.