Carpets offer plenty of benefits, like bringing warmth and comfort inside a home. They even help reduce noise, making them the perfect choice for bedrooms.
Plus, this type of floor covering enhances safety by minimizing slips and falls and preventing serious injuries in case of accidents.
Unfortunately, carpets are not forever. They deteriorate over time, especially when installed in high-traffic areas.
If you wish to enjoy the benefits they offer longer, you must maintain your carpet flooring well. This article will show you the four best reasons to keep them spotless and some signs that indicate when it’s time to clean them.
4 Reasons to Keep Your Carpet Clean
Whether you have wall-to-wall carpets, area rugs, or carpet tiles in your home, here are the four best reasons why you must keep them pristine:
1. Extend the carpet’s longevity
Carpets get worn down faster than any other furnishings in the house.
Because of constant foot traffic and the occasional spills and soilage, this type of flooring may not look as flawless as when it was brand-new.
Over time, dirt, dust, and grime become embedded into its fibers, causing it to look dull and exhibit significant wear and tear.
Do you miss how your home looked when your carpet was newly installed? Or perhaps you just hope it would last a bit longer for financial reasons?
If so, then you must clean it regularly.
Vacuum twice a week and hire professionals to steam clean your rugs every 12 to 18 months.
Since they represent a significant investment, maintaining these home furnishings will help you get more out of your money.
2. Prevent bacteria and mold buildup
Carpets help make any room a healthy environment. That is, of course, if you can keep them clean.
You see, a dirty carpet becomes a breeding ground of bacteria and molds – two things that you definitely won’t want in your home.
If you live somewhere humid, the extra moisture in the air (added to spills and leaks) may get absorbed into the fabric and foster mold growth.
To avoid this, dry and vacuum your carpet immediately after it comes in contact with any liquid. It is also best to leave the deep cleaning to the pros.
3. Keep the air in the room clean and fresh
Aside from preventing bacteria and mold growth, regular carpet cleaning also helps maintain fresh, breathable air inside a room.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) explained that dirty carpets tend to retain the following indoor air pollutantsthat may carry toxic airborne gases into houses:
Cockroach allergens
Pet dander
Particle pollution
Dirt and dust
Lead
If these particles are disturbed, those hazardous fumes may be released back into the air inside your home.
To prevent this, have professionals shampoo your carpet periodically. They use a special formula and equipment to remove even the most deep-seated pollutants within the rugs’ fibers.
4. Get rid of dust mites
Dust mite infestations aren’t always obvious since the critters are invisible to the naked eye.
Though they aren’t allergens, dust mites may leave behind body fragments and excrement that trigger allergic reactions when inhaled.
To prevent this, hire professionals to steam clean your carpet. Do this as recommended by the carpet manufacturer or every 12 to 18 weeks, as previously mentioned. This process not only extends the carpet’s lifespan but also eradicates dust mites.
How to Know If It’s Time for Professional Carpet Cleaning?
Besides regular vacuuming, your carpet also needs deep cleaning now and then. Some people do this every new year, while many include it in their spring-cleaning tasks.
Of course, waiting for the next cleaning season to call in the pros is not always advisable. If your floor covering already looks like it has taken too much of a beating, it’s best to act now.
Aside from visible soilage, watch out for the following tell-tale signs that let you know when it’s time to seek professional carpet cleaning services:
Allergic reactions
If a household member shows signs of allergy, one of the most probable causes is dust or mold buildup in your carpets.
Even if the allergy is caused by something else, it’s still best to have your carpet cleaned to ensure it doesn’t make matters worse.
Unpleasant smell
Molds, spills, pet “accidents,” and other messes could be behind that nose-wrinkling odor emanating from your carpet. But first, you must investigate.
Did anything spill onyour carpet? Or was the weather humid during the past few days? Or perhaps you had a leak fixed in the house recently?
If you answered “yes” to any of the questions above, it’s about time you call professional cleaners to do their thing.
If you can’t get rid of a stain or bad odor or if your carpet is due a deep clean, the best decision would be to go for the expert solution. This way, the issue can be resolved immediately without causing new problems, like rapid re-soiling, shrinkage, discoloration, and mold buildup.
