How often should I clean my carpet?

This is a commonly asked question. Regular cleaning extends the life of your carpet, which saves you a lot of money as you won’t need to replace your carpet as often if it is well maintained. Cleaning carpets on a regular basis provide a healthy, hygienic environment for you and your family. For a rough guide to how often your carpet needs cleaning, consult the advice below for the level of traffic and soiling to which your carpet is subjected.

Light traffic and soiling:

You should vacuum your carpet once a week, and spot clean daily or as soon as any spots are noticed. Professional cleaning should be carried out every 12 to 18 months on the heaviest-used areas, with a restorative clean every 2 years or according to the carpet manufacturer’s warranty.

Normal traffic and soiling (families with children or elderly members):

You should vacuum your carpet once or twice a week, and spot clean daily or as soon as any spots are noticed. Professional cleaning should be carried out every 6 to 12 months on the heaviest-used areas, with a restorative clean every year or according to the carpet manufacturer’s warranty.

Heavy traffic and soiling (families with smokers or pets):

You should vacuum your carpet 2 to 4 times a week, and spot clean daily or as soon as any spots are noticed. Professional cleaning should be carried out every 3 to 6 months on the heaviest-used areas, with a restorative clean every 6 months or according to the carpet manufacturer’s warranty.

Extreme traffic and soiling (large families with many pets or smokers):

You should vacuum your carpet every day, and spot clean daily or as soon as any spots are noticed. Professional cleaning should be carried out every 2 to 3 months on the heaviest-used areas, with a restorative clean every 3 months or according to the carpet manufacturer’s warranty.

Carpets cleaned on a regular basis provide a healthy, safe living environment for you and your family at the same time adding years of life to one of the larger investments in your home. So the question is, how often should they be cleaned? The answer can depend on several factors. The chart below taken from the IICRC Reference Guide for Professional Carpet Cleaning can assist you in answering this all important question.