Why Cleaning Your Carpets Yourself is a Bad Idea

Carpets are arguably the most essential component to your home or office decor. Aesthetically pleasing and comfortable for adults, children and pets alike, quality carpeting certainly has its benefits.

Unfortunately, the carpet is the most used furnishing piece by a long shot. With the amount of direct traffic it sees on a daily basis, the accumulation of dirt, debris and general wear and tear is considerable. Carpets require much more attention and upkeep on a regular basis to ensure the look and feel.

Many office managers and especially homeowners feel that regular vacuuming is enough to keep carpets in optimal condition. However, as we will discuss, cleaning your carpets yourself is a bad idea. Here are the main reasons why hiring a professional cleaning service to clean your carpets is enormously beneficial.

Extended Carpet Life

A major consideration that is often forgotten when considering a professional cleaning service is the extra longevity these services provide. Most financial cost-planning only looks at the added cost of the service and not the money these services could save. The net benefit is overlooked.

A professional carpet cleaning service can extend the life of your carpet, reducing repair and replacement costs. As dirt and dust amass around and between fibers, the carpet loses its plushness and becomes matted.

Over time, the abrasiveness of these particles can cause the fibers to split, fray and break off, leaving an unserviceable mess behind. From a functional standpoint, carpets should last at least 10 years. If you never use a professional service, you will probably be looking into a replacement within half that time. Keep in mind that wear and tear is a rare inclusion on warranties. You will lose a vital support system if you do not keep your carpet in good repair.

The extraction techniques used by professionals revitalize the look and feel of carpet. 

As they dig deep to remove debris, they also prevent future buildup. Debris on carpets attracts more dust and dirt so a professional cleaning can effectively reduce the frequency of upkeep.

New carpet is expensive and you must weigh the true costs and benefits of professional cleaning. You should find they can actually save you considerable effort as they breathe new life into your decor.

Healthier Environment

Gravity pulls everything down and the carpet eventually becomes the final resting place for immeasurable amounts of dirt, dust and allergens. Without proper care, these irritants can start to affect anyone, triggering allergic reactions and respiratory issues. Children, the elderly and those with breathing problems are especially susceptible to health problems caused by airborne particles.

This eventual build up can even reach a point that it affects the air quality in the room. As debris closes off the areas between fibers, airflow can be inhibited, making it stuffy for any occupant.

Vacuuming only removes a small percentage of the contaminants in your carpet, primarily on the surface. Most dirt and dust will remain. Embedded bacteria and dust mites, without thorough removal, will be a recurring problem especially.

The high temperature washes that professional cleaning services employ can remove most, if not all, of the dug-in contaminants. Allergens and bacteria are killed off through a sanitization process, reducing the risk of infections and seasonal health issues.

Odor and Stain Removal

Bacteria and odor-causing germs give off unpleasant, lingering aromas when left to fester, particularly in areas with frequent child and pet traffic. Old food, pet urine and a host of possible debris can bury deep into carpet fibers if not tended to quickly. This makes them difficult to fully extract even with a steam cleaner. Completely removing pervasive odors and associated stains is one of the best reasons why you should hire a professional carpet cleaning service.

Stains are a persistent concern for anyone with carpet, no matter how “stain-resistant” it may be. Many begin setting immediately and even the most effective home solutions still often leave a trace of an old stain. Conventional methods can often make the problem worse.

With advanced cleaning techniques, professional cleaners can remove common tough-to-remove stains such as:

• Food stains.
• Coffee and wine spills.
• Tracked in dirt.
• Pet stains.
• Paint and ink.
• Makeup and nail polish.

Deep inset dirt also makes carpets look generally worn over time. In heavy foot traffic areas, the mass of buildup and accelerated deterioration create “traffic lanes” in noticeably dark stretches. Professional carpet cleaners can renew those worn fibers, making the carpet last longer while creating a more consistent look.

Professional Knowledge

When it comes time to clean, it is not often considered that carpets can vary in material and subsequently require vastly different treatment methods. For the most part, vacuuming is a relatively harmless and effective carpet cleaning method. However, when you need to apply chemical cleaners, shampoos, steam or more aggressive tactics, your approach could be ineffective or damaging to the carpet.

Stains are a particularly good example of the difference a professional cleaner’s knowledge and tools can make. Cleaning agents used on the wrong material can spread stains, strip the color from the carpet or degrade the fibers. Professional cleaners apply the appropriate materials to retain the carpet’s integrity while effectively removing the stain.

Professional cleaners can also provide advice on everyday cleaning of your carpet. If you are unsure of whether your carpet is wool, polyester or any of the various possible materials, they can let you know what is efficient and safe to use.

Probably the best reason to hire a professional carpet cleaner is because you know that they will get you the quality clean you deserve while saving you time, energy and stress. Damage is easy to make, difficult to fix and causes you to suffer the discomfort and poor look it creates.

Our expert carpet cleaners use the latest technology and cleaning methods to deliver on our high service standards. Our fast, effective and reliable service makes us the leading cleaning solution in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. If you are ready to improve the look and comfort of your office, contact Allied Facility Care today.