A lot of people have carpet in their homes because they give off a warm, soft, and comfy feel to the room. However, many people have misconceptions surrounding carpet cleaning, so they end up confused as to what they should do. Some people think that carpets should only get cleaned when they look dirty; others believe professional cleaning will damage their carpets or make them get dirty quicker.
Believing in these myths about carpets can lead to improper carpet care and result in premature wear and tear on your carpet. The truth is that you should clean your carpets regularly to keep them (and your whole house) clean, healthy, and smelling good.
Below you will find some examples of the most frequently asked questions regarding carpet cleaning along with the real answers to these questions.
Myth 1: Carpets Only Need Cleaning When They Look Dirty
There are so many myths about the way we clean our carpets, but one of the most prevalent myths is the idea that we should only clean them when they are stained or appear dark.
The fact is that every day, our carpets are collecting dirt, dust, allergens, bacteria, and pet hair. A large portion of this collected dirt is trapped deep down in the fibers of our carpets and is not visible to the naked eye.
Even though your carpet may appear clean, there can still be trapped dirt below the surface. If you wait too long to clean your carpets, you could damage the fibers and shorten their life span.
Having your carpets professionally cleaned can remove hidden dirt from deep down in your carpet, therefore preventing larger problems in the future.
Myth 2: Vacuuming Alone Is Enough
While vacuuming is an essential way to clean a carpet, it will only remove the dirt and dust that are on the surface. There is still a lot of dirt, bacteria, allergens, and moisture that can get trapped deep within the carpet fibers. Over time, this buildup can impact the quality of the air inside of your house and cause damage to the carpet’s fibers.
When you have a professional clean your carpets, they use more powerful equipment to remove all of the dirt from deep within the carpet than you could with a vacuum cleaner alone.
Although you should vacuum on a regular basis to care for your carpet, professional carpet cleaning will be required for a complete clean.
Myth 3: Professional Carpet Cleaning Damages Carpets
There are many homeowners who think that deep carpet cleaning is detrimental to carpet fibers and leads to the wear and tear of the carpet fibers.
There are different methods of cleaning that can be used to clean carpets without damaging them or leading to an increase in fiber wear. Professional carpet cleaning can remove dirt that has slowly been damaging the individual fibers of the carpet, which is especially important since dirt acts similarly to sandpaper by wearing down the carpet fibers.
Newer methods of cleaning carpets are designed in a way that does not damage the carpet, and professional carpet cleaners understand how to select the correct method of cleaning based on what material the carpet is made of.
Cleaning carpets on a regular basis by professionals can significantly increase the longevity of the carpet.
Myth 4: Carpets Get Dirty Faster After Cleaning
Carpet cleaning by professional cleaners leads many to think that carpets become dirty again very quickly after having been cleaned. This idea has largely been perpetuated through older poor-quality cleaning processes.
If soap residue is left in the carpet fibers, then it is quite possible to have your carpet attract dirt more quickly. However, the equipment and methods used by professional carpet cleaning companies have greatly improved, resulting in a complete removal of soap and dirt from the carpets.
Carpets cleaned correctly will remain cleaner longer and will have a fresher feel.
Finding qualified and experienced carpet cleaning specialists is essential to your carpet cleaning success.
Myth 5: DIY Carpet Cleaning Works Just as Well
There are a lot of carpet cleaners available to rent from retailers for use in the home, but some people think that they work like professional machines. They may be helpful when cleaning up small spills, but they usually cannot clean out your carpet with the same effectiveness as commercial machines because they lack the power to extract all of the mud and moisture that has been ground into the carpet fibers over time.
Carpets can also be damaged by using too much product or using too much water to clean up the mess.
Professional carpet cleaners will have the better machines and experience handling various types of carpets and stains, which will protect your carpet.
Myth 6: Carpet Cleaning Removes Carpet Protection
Many homeowners have concerns that cleaning carpets may damage the protective coating on the pile. When done properly by professionals, carpet cleaning will clean your carpet without damaging the carpet fiber. In fact, dirt buildup is generally more damaging to the carpet than cleaning it.
Some professional companies will also apply a protective treatment after cleaning to help prevent future stains and wear.
In fact, keeping your carpet free from dirt will keep it looking better longer.
Myth 7: New Carpets Do Not Need Cleaning
Numerous individuals think that brand new carpets will look new for many years, and they do not require being cleaned by a professional.
Unfortunately, new carpets also collect dirt, dust, pollen, and bacteria from everyday use. If you wait too long between cleanings, the dirt can accumulate deep inside of the fibers.
Most manufacturers recommend having your carpet cleaned by a professional on a regular basis as part of maintaining warranty requirements and quality assurance for your new carpet as well.
Cleaning carpets on a regular basis will help keep them looking their best for as long as possible.
Myth 8: Carpet Cleaning Causes Mold
Many individuals fear that carpet cleaning leaves excess moisture behind and creates a mold concern; however, this normally only occurs with improperly dried carpets. The majority of moisture is removed from carpets by professional carpet cleaning machines. The use of high-quality extraction equipment, such as those found in industrial cleaners, properly cleans carpets and removes almost all of the excess moisture from them. Carpets are typically dried quickly and easily with good ventilation, as well as the use of the right drying techniques. Cleaning carpets professionally helps to reduce moisture, dirt, and bacteria, which may lead to the formation of mold.
Myth 9: All Carpet Cleaning Methods Are the Same?
Different methods for cleaning carpets exist, and each carpet may require different cleaning solutions.
The carpet cleaning professional will consider the type of carpet, how dirty it is, and any stains on it in order to determine the best method of cleaning.
Common carpet cleaning methods include:
Deep steam cleaning
Hot water extraction
Dry cleaning of carpets
Shampoo cleaning
Carpet cleaning professionals with many years of experience can tell you which cleaning method is safe and effective for your type of carpet.
Myth 10: Professional Carpet Cleaning Is Too Expensive
People who own homes sometimes don’t get their carpets cleaned professionally because they believe it is too expensive.
However, having carpets cleaned regularly extends the life of the carpet so that it doesn’t have to be replaced frequently, which can save homeowners money in the long term. Professional cleaning also improves the air quality in their homes by removing allergens from the environment and making their homes cleaner and healthier than they would otherwise be.
Compared to replacing a damaged carpet, following a regular carpet cleaning schedule is generally more affordable and provides an intelligent financial investment.
Benefits of Professional Carpet Cleaning
Now that we understand the myths, here are some real benefits of professional carpet cleaning:
Removes Deep Dirt
Professional equipment removes dirt trapped deep inside carpet fibers.
Improves Indoor Air Quality
Cleaning removes allergens, dust, and bacteria from carpets.
Extends Carpet Life
Regular cleaning protects carpet fibers from damage.
Removes Stains and Odors
Professional treatments help remove tough stains and bad smells.
Creates a Cleaner Home
Fresh carpets improve the overall appearance and comfort of your home.
How Often Should Carpets Be Professionally Cleaned?
The right schedule depends on your home and lifestyle.
General recommendations include:
- Every 12 months for average homes
- Every 6 months for homes with pets or children
- Every 3 to 6 months for allergy sufferers
- More often for high-traffic areas
Regular cleaning keeps carpets in the best condition.
Final Thoughts
Numerous myths surround carpet cleaning, and knowing the real facts will allow homeowners to take better care of their carpets. Carpet cleaning performed by professionals will not harm or cause a carpet to soil faster; in fact, professional carpet cleaning will eliminate deep-down soil, improve indoor air quality, and extend the life of a carpet. Having your carpets cleaned on a regular basis will help keep your home cleaner, more comfortable, and safer for your family and guests. At Cactus Carpet Cleaning, we offer professional carpet cleaning services that have been formulated to clean carpets safely, remove deeply embedded soil, and enable homeowners to enjoy fresher, healthier living environments.