Carpets need to be cleaned on a regular basis, as carpet fibres easily hold dust, dirt, mud, and other such debris and irritants, and they can eventually look rundown and flattened. A standard household vacuum cleaner will only remove so much of this dirt and will do little to restore the fibre's nap. If you know your carpets need professional cleaning, note a few questions you might have about the process, so you can determine the best choice for cleaning your home's flooring.
Why not just rent a machine from the home improvement store?
Renting a machine from a home improvement store and cleaning your home's carpets yourself can actually damage the carpets; you may use too much detergent and not enough water to rinse and extract it all, which will leave behind a sticky film that attracts more dirt. The brushes of these machines may also be too harsh for your home's carpeting, so the fibres will get damaged rather than restored. To ensure the job is done right and your home's carpeting is preserved and cleaned and not actually damaged, it's best to leave this job to a carpet cleaning professional.
Do you need to leave the home while the carpets are being cleaned?
Obviously you don't want to be underfoot of the carpet cleaners while they're working or in the same room as heavy-duty detergents that can be irritating to the skin and eyes. However, today's carpet cleaning methods are usually faster and more effective than those used in past years, when carpets were wet for hours, if not days, after cleaning. Stronger extraction techniques can pull more water from the carpets, making them almost completely dry after cleaning, and your carpet cleaning professional may even use a dry cleaning method that works without water. If you're worried about having to leave the home for too long, discuss your options with the professional you hire so you can keep this time to a minimum.
Do delicate carpets need special cleaning?
If you have antique area rugs, carpets made with a silk blend fabric, or other carpets that are delicate for any reason, simply let your carpet cleaner know the fabric or age of the materials. Most cleaning professionals will want to inspect carpets before they clean them to ensure they use the right detergent and equipment, but it's good to give them this information as well. They can ensure the carpets are cleaned properly and delicately, so as to protect the value of those carpets, ensuring that they're in their best condition overall.
