It can be hard to tell when your carpets need a professional clean. After all, dirt and dust can accumulate over time, making it look like the carpet is dirty. However, there are several signs that indicate it's time for a deep clean. The fibers should feel soft and smell fresh, with no signs of stains, mud, or contaminants.
Clean rugs feel lighter and fluffier in the hand once they are completely dry. In other words, a professionally cleaned carpet will feel like new. Before you start cleaning on your own, check if the carpet manufacturer requires a certain type of cleaning for the warranty to remain in effect. If your carpets show any of the following signs, it's definitely time for professional cleaning:
- The carpet looks dull, matted, and lifeless.
- The rug feels heavy and dense.
- The padding under the rug is shabby.
- The rug is full of dirt, dust, and other allergens.
- The rug looks wrinkled or saggy.
- The rug has biological stains from pet urine, feces, or vomit.
- The rug has an unpleasant smell.
- You sneeze or inhale a lot when you're near the carpet.
- A pet makes a noise on the carpet.
- The carpet absorbs spills and other debris.
While regular vacuuming removes almost all debris, professional cleaning is designed to pick up and remove what a regular vacuum can't. As a general rule of thumb, carpets should be professionally cleaned at least once a year. If you notice that your carpets are looking dull or matted, or if they have an unpleasant smell, it's time to call in the professionals. Professional cleaning will restore fluffiness and vitality to your carpets. It will also remove any biological stains that may have built up over time.
If the padding under the rug is shabby, it won't matter how nice and clean the rug itself is. In this case, it may be more cost-effective to simply replace the carpet rather than trying to completely remove the stains that cause the bad smell.
