Knowing the difference between if and when your carpet should be cleaned or needs to be replaced isn’t so cut-and-dry, especially if you’ve had your carpet for a few years and aren’t exactly sure the date you last had it professionally cleaned. The truth is that different types of carpet require different maintenance methods and schedules. Also, the type and frequency of maintenance differs based on the level of traffic a given carpet experiences daily, as well as the amount of dirt and debris it’s exposed to.
This makes determining the need to replace carpets a complicated issue, too. Deciding whether your carpet needs to be professionally cleaned or replaced entirely comes down to a combination of a number of different factors. Alas, here’s when to clean and when to replace your carpets:
When to Clean Your Carpets
You should clean your carpets, or have them professionally cleaned, routinely. Doing so can extend the lifespan of your carpets for more than 15 years in some cases. If you haven’t regularly cleaned your carpets and they’re getting up there in age, there are a number of things you need to assess to figure out if you should have them professionally cleaned instead of replaced.
First, inspect your carpets for any stains, and if you find any, try (using the appropriate method and solution) to remove the stains. Next, check for and try to remove any odors should there be any. Third, check for damage (i.e. burn marks). If your carpets are free of damage and/or permanent stains and odors, then they may just need to be cleaned. It’s a good idea to hire professional help to restore your carpet’s quality, though.
When to Replace Your Carpets
In the worst-case scenario, if your carpet is anywhere from 12 to 15 years old and you haven’t cleaned it or had it professionally cleaned in regular intervals, then it’s likely that your carpets need to be replaced. This is assuming your carpets have been consistently used and exposed to normal conditions. In this case, 12+ year old carpets that haven’t been regularly cleaned will be too worn, stained, dirty, and otherwise damaged to be restored from professional cleaning.
There are other scenarios in which your carpet needs to be replaced, even if it isn’t 12 or more years old, and has been (at least somewhat) regularly cleaned during its lifetime. If there are stains that won’t come out and smells that won’t go away after cleaning, then it may be a sign that your carpet needs to be replaced. Burn marks and other visible damage, which can’t be cleaned away, are also signs your carpet needs replacing.
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Hopefully, the information above has helped you determine whether your carpets need to be cleaned or replaced. If you’re still unsure and could use the help of professionals (like us), then visit our website or give us a call today, and we’d be happy to help!
