It used to be that having home carpets professionally cleaned was a rarity. But now carpet manufacturers recommend that carpets be cleaned once a year or even more frequently. Understanding how carpets and our use of them have changed over the years helps to clarify the increased need for maintenance cleaning.
Prior to the popularity of wall-to-wall carpets area rugs were very common. Little thought or concern was put towards the maintenance of these rugs. The rugs could easily be taken outside, suspended and beaten to get the dust out or hand shampooed and hung up to dry. On rare occasion the rugs could be rolled up and taken to a rug cleaning plant for cleaning.
When wall-to-wall carpet became popular in the 1960’s, cleaning it was a challenge. Consumers were dependent on their own vacuuming and spot cleaning to keep the carpets looking nice. Some homeowners would occasionally call a professional carpet cleaner to come in to “shampoo” the carpets. Fortunately, most carpets were darker in color and people generally did not have very high expectations of cleaning.
During the 1970’s consumers started purchasing lighter colored carpets and they found that normal soiling was far more noticeable. Consumers began to use professional carpet cleaners periodically to clean for appearance sake. About this time “steam cleaning” became a reliable method of maintaining the carpet’s appearance. When the carpet looked dirty, a carpet cleaner would be called out to remedy the situation.
In the late 1980’s the carpet manufacturers produced even lighter colored carpets in styles that weren’t as adept at hiding the dirt. They found that if the carpets were professionally cleaned annually, the “like new” appearance and quality would last two to three times longer. So manufacturers started requiring their carpets be cleaned on a regular basis to keep warranties valid. Consumers were now cleaning carpets regularly for maintenance reasons.
Since the 1990’s there has been growing concern about “indoor air quality.” Buildings and homes are more tightly sealed for energy conservation. Studies find that the air quality of our indoor environment is actually worse than the air pollution outside. Surprisingly, one of our best allies in the fight for better indoor air quality is wall-to-wall carpeting. Carpet acts as a filter, trapping airborne contaminates such as dust, pollen, animal dander and other allergens which would otherwise continue to circulate throughout our home. Carpet helps prevent us from breathing in these pollutants.
It is important we make sure that filter (the carpet) gets cleaned regularly. According to the EPA-Environmental Protection Agency, a household of two people should have the carpets cleaned every 6–12 months for health reasons. That frequency should increase if there are smokers, young children or pets in the home. In addition to appearance and maintenance issues carpets need to be cleaned for health reasons.
Carpets and their maintenance requirements have changed over the years. But a properly maintained carpet adds value to your home by providing comfort, style and a healthier environment.
Learn more about our 12 Step Cleaning Process.