Whether you are new to homeownership or you have just installed new carpeting in your home or office, it is understandable to have questions about the proper care of your investment. You will be happy to know that you are in good company. According to Houselogic, carpet is once again rising in popularity partially because it is up to 50% less expensive than hardwoods, not to mention quieter, softer and has more variety in styles.
There is a lot of misinformation to be found on the subject of carpet care. One of the most common is that professional cleaning shortens the life of the carpet. Not only is that untrue, but many manufacturer warranties stipulate that only professional carpet cleaning is acceptable to keep the warranty in effect for the full time.
Misconceptions About Carpet Cleaning
Let’s examine some of the other common misconceptions about carpet cleaning. You’ll not only be better informed about the care of your carpet, but you’ll understand some of the differences in cleaning methods, as well.
You should wait as long as possible before having your carpets cleaned for the first time.
This statement is equivalent to saying you should wait as long as possible to shower. Dirty is dirty. Vacuuming, while vital for keeping surface contaminants from being ground into carpet fibers, is not enough to keep your floor coverings sanitary. The best way to keep your carpets in good shape is to have them cleaned when necessary by a professional carpet cleaner.
Professional cleaning removes the manufacturer’s anti-stain coating.
Modern carpet cleaning methods are designed to enhance the stain protection, not detract from it. Most manufacturers recommend that their carpets should be professionally cleaned to prevent unnecessary staining and excessive wear. The Carpet and Rug Institute recommends a professional cleaning every 12 to 18 months to remove dust, pollen, dirt, mold spores, pesticides and other contaminants.
Professional carpet cleaning is only for spot removal.
There are many reasons why you should have your carpets cleaned. Over time, your floor coverings can collect a variety of unsavory pollutants. Every person who has walked into a public restroom and every pet that has played in a dog park or scratched in a cat box can deposit feces on your rugs and carpet. Humidity, leaks or missed spills can cause mold or mildew to form in carpeting. Dust and skin particles attract dust mites, a common cause of allergies for many people.
Not only can all of these contaminants cause odors and unsightly spots, but they can create a breeding ground for pathogens. Cleaning your carpets whether or not you have spots is a matter of good hygiene. The bonus of cleaning your carpets can improve the air quality indoors, where we spend 90% of our time, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
Cleaning your carpet wears out the padding.
A buildup of soil is what can contribute to foam or rubber carpet pads from wearing out quickly. As the padding deteriorates, it can lose its elasticity and ability to bounce back after compression. That leads to more wear and tear on the carpet fibers, as well.
Your carpet will feel less fluffy and more coarse after cleaning.
Just like soil can cause your carpet pads to deteriorate more quickly, it can also shorten the life of the carpet. Dirt is abrasive. When it is allowed to build up on fibers, every time you walk across it, the harsh effect wears on the threads, causing them to fray. That is what makes the carpet look less fluffy and feel course, not cleaning. Regular vacuuming and periodic professional carpet cleaning keep damaging soil off the floor covering and leaves it feeling soft.
The carpet machines you rent at the store are just as good as professional cleaning.
Do you know the adage about getting what you pay for? This is a great example. First, it is called professional carpet cleaning for a reason. The people you pay to do it are trained in the proper way to remove soil from your carpet without doing damage. They also have the right tools for the job.
Secondly, the rented machines can deposit too much water in your carpet and padding. A rented carpet cleaner will not have the industrial powered suction required to remove all the moisture which can cause mold or mildew to form. Finally, using too much carpet shampoo or not extracting it correctly will have the effect of being a dirt magnet. In the end, you’ll have to call a professional to try to fix the damage you have done.
Carpet cleaning attracts more dirt.
As we just discussed, this can be true if you decide to go the DIY route and rent a carpet cleaner from your local grocery or home improvement store. Leaving residue on your carpet will attract more dirt. That’s why you must hire an experienced, professional carpet cleaner to treat your rugs and carpets.
Professional steam cleaning is the only effective carpet cleaning method.
While steam cleaning does have its merits, it is far from the only effective method. Dry cleaning is not only an excellent way to remove soil from carpets but can be preferable to traditional steam cleaning in areas where it is challenging to limit traffic for one to two days while the carpet dries. Dry carpet cleaning combines very low moisture with compound cleaning agents to remove soil from carpets with only a 30 minute to one hour drying time.
The Safe and Dry Way to Clean Your Carpets
When you need a trusted name in professional cleaning for your floors and upholstery, look no further than Safe Dry Carpet Cleaning. We are committed to using only all-natural cleaning methods that are safe, hypoallergenic and soap-free, without the use of harsh chemicals. You get the assurance of our 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you never have to worry that you’ll pay for disappointing service. We’ll leave your carpets clean, fresh and residue-free.
To find out more about our services, contact us today. To set up a service appointment, take advantage of our online scheduling tool.
Submitted by Safe-Dry® Carpet Cleaning of Cypress