How Often Should You Get Your Carpets Professionally Cleaned?
Most carpet manufacturers recommend professional cleaning every 12–18 months. But pets, kids, and high traffic areas may need it more often. Here is how to know when it is time.
Professional carpet cleaning is one of those home maintenance tasks that is easy to put off — until you notice that the carpet in the hallway looks noticeably different from the one in the guest room that rarely gets used.
The Industry Standard Recommendation
Most major carpet manufacturers, including Shaw and Mohawk, recommend having your carpets professionally cleaned every 12 to 18 months. This is not just about appearances. Carpets act as giant air filters in your home, trapping dust, allergens, pet dander, bacteria, and even mold spores deep in the fibers. Regular professional cleaning removes these contaminants that vacuuming alone cannot reach.
Factors That Increase Cleaning Frequency
- Pets: Homes with dogs or cats should consider cleaning every 6–12 months. Pet hair, dander, and accidents embed deeply into carpet fibers.
- Children: Kids bring in dirt, spill food, and generally subject carpets to heavy use. Every 6–12 months is a smart schedule.
- High-traffic areas: Hallways, living rooms, and stairs see far more wear than bedrooms. These areas may benefit from more frequent spot treatments.
- Allergy sufferers: If anyone in the home has asthma or seasonal allergies, more frequent cleaning can significantly improve air quality.
Warning Signs Your Carpet Needs Cleaning Now
- Visible stains that do not respond to home cleaning
- A musty or stale odor that persists even after vacuuming
- Increased allergy symptoms indoors
- The carpet looks dull or matted even after vacuuming
- It has been more than 18 months since the last professional clean
At Alpine Carpet Cleaning in Spokane Valley, we make it easy to stay on schedule. Call us at 509-266-7922 or use our online quote calculator to get an instant price estimate.