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Spring Cleaning 101: What’s In Your Carpet?

Who’s ready for spring?

With the record-breaking blast of icy, snowy, freezing weather that most of the country experienced this month, we’re all more than ready to be done with winter! If you’re still digging out from snow and ice, you may find our winter weather management post to be helpful right now. But believe it or not, warmer weather is just a few weeks away and it’s time to get a jump start on spring cleaning, starting with your carpets. One of the first questions we’re asked about commercial carpet cleaning is when should I clean my carpets?

Why we recommend cleaning carpets before spring arrives.

Late winter is actually a great time to schedule a deep clean for your carpeted areas. Many of our customers are surprised that we recommend carpet cleaning while the weather is still cold and damp. You might be thinking that waiting for some sunshine would make more sense, but the best time to clean your carpets is actually during the winter months, when the air in your building is consistently warm and dry.

Preventing winter damage to carpets is key.

Winter in general is tough on your carpets. Heavy rains and ice melt products are easily tracked inside and leave a lot of gritty debris and residue on your floors. The best way to stop winter weather from damaging your carpet is to be proactive.

We recommend that you consult with your cleaning company about using high-quality, absorbent mats in exterior and interior entryways. The damage from ground-in dirt and salt-based ice melt products can be difficult or impossible to completely erase, which means you’ll be paying to replace your carpet much sooner than necessary.

Your carpets and your budget will thank you in March, if you made the effort to protect them in September!

An early spring deep clean is important. But make sure you have a consistent routine all year long.

It makes sense to schedule a deep clean as winter is winding down, because you want to remove all the tracked-in dirt before it damages the carpet fibers. But don’t make the mistake of waiting to clean until your carpets are visibly dirty.

Establishing a consistent, regular schedule for your carpets will keep them looking great, extend their lifespan and prevent the buildup of dirt, oil and salt products as well as allergens such as animal dander, pollen and mold spores.

Carpets that aren’t being cleaned regularly are an eyesore and can even affect human health. Having to do an extra-deep, multi-step, restorative cleaning to undo all the damage will cost you more in the long run than doing less intensive cleanings on a regular basis.

There are three basic levels of cleaning that we recommend, based on the type of traffic your building sees and the standard of clean expected for your industry.

  • Routine – examples of this type are daily vacuuming and spot cleaning for spills. This level of commercial carpet cleaning works when carpets are in lighter-traffic areas.
  • Interim – methods used between deep cleanings can vary based on your situation. One option to consider is a dry foam cleaning. This method works by encapsulating dirt in cleaning solution foam, which rapidly dries and then can be vacuumed up off your carpet. This is a great cleaning method when you’re short on time and is appropriate for buildings where limiting moisture is critical.
  • Restorative – this is the hot water extraction or steam method that you’re probably familiar with. Restorative cleaning gets at the dirt trapped deep in your carpet and is the best option for commercial carpet cleaning when you need a truly comprehensive cleaning. This method requires a longer drying time, so plan accordingly!

How often do you need to clean your carpets?

This is where a consult with your cleaning company can be really helpful. Your carpet cleaning routine should be tailored to your individual situation. When Cleansolution talks to customers about carpet cleaning, we consider the following factors.

  • Your building – how much traffic is coming through every day? A high-traffic building might benefit from a steam cleaning every other month or every quarter. A low-traffic building with just a few occupants might be fine with only deep cleaning carpets once or twice a year.
  • Your carpet type – some types of carpet require more frequent cleanings, particularly older materials and lighter colors.
  • Your industry – some companies have to follow strict codes and regulations regarding cleaning in order to operate safely. Other industries have fewer restrictions and might require less frequent cleaning.
  • Your climate – every region has its weather challenges, but if your area sees a lot of rain or snow, your carpets will need extra attention, especially in the early spring. Regular cleanings will save you money down the road!

Prioritize carpet care this year

Remember: don’t wait until you can see the dirt and damage! If your building is less busy this year due to the pandemic, this might be an ideal time for a deep cleaning to get ready for spring. Contact Cleansolution today for a consultation!