In the intricate mosaic of maintaining a clean and friendly living space, few elements are as central as carpets. They provide warmth, comfort, and aesthetic charm to our homes and workplaces. However, the path to carpet longevity lies in its regular care and cleaning.
What is the Best Carpet Cleaning Frequency for Your Facility?
The ideal frequency for steam cleaning carpets varies depending on the unique needs of different facilities, be it a home or a bustling commercial area. In residential settings, a steam cleaning schedule every 6 to 12 months strikes a balance between keeping the carpet fresh and preventing excessive wear. Thorough cleaning within this time frame ensures effective removal of accumulated dirt, allergens, and stains, prolonging the carpet’s lifespan.
However, in commercial environments where foot traffic is high, more frequent cleaning becomes a necessity. Commercial carpets are exposed to faster soiling. A more proactive approach with steam cleaning – every 3 to 6 months – using the hot water extraction method, rejuvenates these surfaces and maintains their professional appearance. Designing a steam cleaning frequency tailored to the specific needs of each facility ensures carpets that not only look appealing but also contribute to a healthier and more welcoming environment.
Three Key Elements of Carpet Care
- Regular Vacuuming
When it comes to carpet care, vacuuming is the key first step that should always be taken before applying steam cleaning. Many people overlook this step before steam cleaning the carpet. By vacuuming the carpet, one can get rid of dried soil, dust, and other contaminants, including dead skin cells, a major food source for allergy-causing mites. It is estimated that 85% of dirt in a carpet is dry dirt, easily removed by thorough vacuuming. There are different vacuuming techniques depending on the traffic intensity in your home or workplace:
- Spot vacuuming can be used for quick removal of visible soil, dust, or contaminants in low-traffic areas. However, after spot vacuuming, full vacuuming should be done at least once a week.
- Full vacuuming should be done as often as necessary, depending on the traffic intensity on the carpet or rug.
We recommend vacuuming a home carpet at least once or twice a week if it is not used frequently.
- Spot Cleaning
When it comes to stain and spill removal, time is of the essence! Any spills, marks, and stains should be removed immediately to prevent permanent stains. If in doubt, always consult a reputable carpet cleaning company before you proceed with stain removal.
- Deep Cleaning with a Steam Cleaner
Most carpet manufacturers recommend professional steam cleaning every 12 to 24 months to maintain a pristine appearance, but there are other factors to consider.
A carpet acts like a filter and helps capture airborne toxins, beneficial for air quality. However, if you do not regularly remove these contaminants from the carpet, they can accumulate and spread through air movement, such as when vacuuming. The best and most comprehensive way to remove contaminants and keep your carpet healthy is professional steam cleaning as often as necessary, depending on traffic intensity.
Recommended Steam Cleaners
Fortador steam cleaners are among the best on the market. We offer various models that perfectly fit any facility.
- Portable carpet steam cleaner
For home and small office use, we recommend the portable yet powerful Fortador Volt Mini. This machine comes equipped with different attachments that help you get into the tiniest nooks and crannies. The Volt Mini can be used on many non-porous surfaces as well as upholstery.
- Carpet steam vacuum
For commercial premises, we recommend the Fortador Volt Electra. The Fortador Volt Electra has a steam pressure of 12 bars, allowing it to penetrate through the toughest dirt and stains. This machine has the capability to simultaneously use cleaning or disinfecting agents or hot water with steam, steam extraction with an integrated vacuum. This makes this multifunctional steamer capable of cleaning a vast area of your commercial facility.
FAQ
How often should you steam clean your carpet?
Clients often ask us how frequently they should resort to steam cleaning their carpets. As we always emphasize, carpet care is about more than just steam cleaning once or twice a year. The more time you invest in carpet maintenance, the better it will look. So, it all depends on you.
How does steam cleaning remove dirt and impurities?
The handle, connected to the hot water extraction machine, has a suction hose for removing water, dirt, detergent, and other impurities, as well as a high-pressure hose delivering hot water to the carpet. After cleaning, the machine stores the dirty water in a separate tank and disposes of it appropriately.
During this thorough cleaning process, deeply embedded contaminants and dirt that are missed during routine vacuuming, along with allergens and other organic compounds, heavy metals in dust particles, chemicals, and pesticides brought in on our shoes from the outdoors, and byproducts of daily life such as cooking smoke, open fire particles, cigarettes, candles, etc., are completely removed.
What is periodic deep cleaning?
Periodic deep cleaning, facilitated by the effective use of a steam cleaner, is an essential practice ensuring the longevity of carpets. While routine vacuuming is foundational for maintenance, it cannot wholly remove embedded dirt, allergens, and pet stains that accumulate over time.
Most carpet manufacturers recommend incorporating periodic cleaning into your carpet care routine, as it targets deeply embedded contaminants that elude the reach of a vacuum. This cleaning method, using a steam cleaner, not only removes dirt but also disinfects and refreshes the carpet fibers.
Periodic cleaning enhances indoor air quality, revitalizes the appearance of the carpet. Periodic cleaning bolsters your carpet’s resistance to daily challenges, ensuring a clean and pleasant living space.
