As part of your household cleaning routine, you likely vacuum your carpet regularly. But just because it looks and feels clean does not mean it is actually clean. Oftentimes, dust, dirt, allergens, and grime settle deep into the fibers where a quick vacuuming is unlikely to reach, and this calls for carpet shampooing. But how often should you shampoo your carpet?
As it turns out, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question and the frequency will depend on a number of factors. Consider the foremost aspects to help you determine the right answer for you.
The Presence of Children and/or Pets
Children and pets are great to have around, but they bring with them considerable responsibility. With them around, you likely have to worry about more spills and muddy messes. Pets take it a notch higher, shedding dander and hair constantly, and could at times have potty training accidents.
In addition to vacuuming daily or as often as possible, you also need to shampoo the carpet every six to 12 months when you have children in the house. Where pets are involved, reduce this timeframe to between three and six months. If there are potty training challenges, aim for a minimum of four times every year to minimize permanent stains and lingering odors. In case you end up with a stubborn stain or odors that persist despite your best efforts, it is likely time to call in the professionals for expert rug cleaning and restoration services.
Foot Traffic
Another factor to keep in mind is foot traffic. In households with relatively light traffic, where vacuuming takes place once a week or less, deep cleaning with shampoo could be scheduled once a year. But when there is high traffic requiring vacuuming at least twice a week, aim for a deep clean every six months.
When Someone Has Allergies
As mentioned at the onset, carpets often harbor allergens and when these gradually build up, the air quality deteriorates. If someone in your household has allergies, a regular deep-cleaning routine, every two to three months, will help to reduce adverse reactions. It will also keep air quality within reasonable levels of safety for everyone else.
Color and Type of Carpet
Lighter color carpets show dirt more readily and thus call for a higher frequency of shampooing. To keep them looking bright and clean, schedule more frequent shampooing, possibly every six months or more frequently depending on their appearance.
The type of fiber and length of pile on your carpet also plays a significant role. If yours is a delicate silk rug or is made from natural materials like wool or cotton, it will require more frequent deep cleaning. Similarly, carpets with tall fibers trap more dirt and dust and require regular deep cleaning. However, polyester and nylon rugs, as well as those with low pile can go much longer without shampooing.
Enlist the Services of Carpet Cleaning Experts
All in all, the answer to how often your carpet should be shampooed will depend on the conditions under which it is used. Take note that in addition to the above factors, you will also need to deep clean your rug if a family member’s allergy symptoms worsen, whenever you have a pest problem, or if you experience flooding. Admittedly, figuring out when and how to shampoo your carpet can sound like a lot of work, but it does not have to be. Getting expert carpet cleaners to handle this sensitive job will free you up to focus on less mundane activities and ensure your carpet is always in the best condition.