How Often You Really Need to Have Your Carpets Cleaned

There's something about walking on carpeting in socks (or barefoot) that's just so cozy and comforting ... except when the carpet is dirty. While it's completely normal for carpets to pick up dirt, dust and animal hair that's easy to vacuum up, there comes a time when vacuuming alone simply won't cut it.

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While it's important to immediately clean up spills, stains and water to prevent lasting damage, professionals generally recommend vacuuming once a week and deep cleaning once a year or so. Taking steps to keep your carpets clean and maintained can help keep them looking and feeling beautiful for many years to come.

What Happens When You Don’t Clean Your Carpet?

Regular vacuuming and periodic shampooing/professional carpet cleaning are essential in maintaining your carpet's aesthetic. Plus, dirt, dust and bacteria that work their way into your carpet fibers can build up over time, sometimes leading to allergic symptoms and skin irritation. Vacuuming or walking on the carpet can kick up dust, mold spores and other impurities. If you have little ones who love to crawl around and play on the carpet, exposure to these substances can increase their risk of illness if they put their hands in their mouths.

How Often Should You Clean Your Carpet?

Weekly vacuuming and deep cleaning every 12 to 18 months is the general recommendation for standard carpets. Pet urine, vomit and other substances that may contain harmful bacteria should always be spot cleaned as soon as possible.

Over-the-counter spot cleaners can help eliminate stains and disinfect the affected areas, and pet odor neutralizers work well to reduce offensive odors. Fun fact: While steam cleaning may seem like an ideal solution to sanitizing the carpet after your pet has an accident, the process can actually cause the stains and odors to set into the carpet fibers. This can lead to permanent staining and long-term smelly carpeting.

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Is It Okay to Shampoo Your Carpet Once a Month?

Shampooing your carpet once a month is a great way to keep it clean, fresh and free of bacteria, dirt, grime and other potentially harmful substances. While most carpet cleaning professionals advise shampooing/deep cleaning your carpets every 12 to 18 months, it's not a hard-and-fast rule. However, frequent shampooing can lead to excess soap buildup in the carpet fibers, so you'll want to make sure your carpet is thoroughly rinsed after each cleaning session.

To prevent sticky shampoo buildup, consider renting a wet carpet vacuum or steam cleaner. You can also schedule service with a professional carpet cleaning company.

If you plan on increasing the frequency of your carpet cleaning schedule, another thing to keep in mind is that it can take between 12 hours and a few days for your carpet to completely dry after shampooing. Placing furniture, cabinets or other heavy items on wet carpet can sometimes lead to staining and increase the risk of mold and mildew growth.

How Often Is Too Often to Clean Your Carpet?

It's recommended to shampoo and deep clean your carpets once every 12 to 18 months, unless you're dealing with unexpected spills, stains or pet accidents that should be addressed right away. Light vacuuming every other day or so generally works well to keep dust, pet dander and tracked-in dirt at bay, while frequent or aggressive vacuuming can potentially lead to damaged carpet fibers over time.

Excessive use of carpet cleaning products such as shampoos and spot cleaners may lead to sticky buildup, and frequent water application can increase the risk of mold and mildew. While there are no set rules on how often you should clean your carpet, best practices and professional recommendations suggest that "less is more." If your carpet has deep stains or strong odors or you're concerned about the presence of bacteria, mold or other contaminants, you may benefit by scheduling a professional cleaning.