Your carpets may be extremely stained and dirty, causing you to wonder what to do with it. However, it may just be dirty due to a lack of proper cleaning. If that’s the case, you may be able to get away with hiring a professional to come in and take care of them. Other times, though, it may be time to replace your carpet. It can be hard to tell which solution is best, so here’s a quick guide:
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Clean Your Carpets If…
It’s Been More Than a Year Since the Last Cleaning
You don’t need to clean your carpets every few months, but you should bring in a professional at least once a year. If you know it’s been longer than that since your last cleaning, or if you can’t remember if your carpet has ever been cleaned, you should clean them before trying to replace them. Carpet installation is expensive, and a thorough cleaning may be just what you need.
There Are Superficial Stains
Some stains won’t go away with a household cleaner, but they will go away with a professional cleaning. Pet and ink stains are the most common examples of stains that may not go away with soap and water but can be removed with a professional cleaning.
You Are Struggling With Allergies
Dirty carpets harbor a lot of harmful dust and bacteria. While vacuuming will help, your carpet will still need to be thoroughly washed and cleaned in order to prevent dust, bacteria, and dander from becoming a bigger problem.
If you notice your allergies or asthma is starting to act up, it’s likely a sign that you should have your carpets cleaned. This will remove the irritants from deep within your carpets and help bring dirty carpets back to life.
Replace Your Carpets If…
They’re Older Than 15 Years
Carpets usually have a lifespan of five to fifteen years, depending on the quality and how much foot traffic they undergo. So if you know your carpets are older than that, you’re probably better off replacing them rather than cleaning them.
They’re Showing Excessive Wear and Tear
Over time, your carpets will endure a lot. You’ll probably notice more stains, some fibers coming loose, and furniture dents that will become deeper and harder to remove. If your carpets aren’t just dirty but also show excessive signs of wear and tear, then it’s in your best interest to replace them.
Your carpet will only last so long, even if you take good care of it. Once your carpets start to look worn out or begin to come apart at the seams, it’s only a matter of time before they look even worse, and they really will need to be replaced.
There Are Foul and Permanent Stains
Some stains won’t come out even with a professional cleaning. If you’ve had your carpets cleaned in the past and those same pesky stains just aren’t budging, then there isn’t anything you can do about it. You’ll need to replace the carpet if you want to get rid of it.
Similarly, if you notice some stains smell bad or your carpet seems to stink, you may just need to toss it. Professional cleaners can do a lot to bring your dirty carpet back to life, but some smells and stains are irreversible.
The Carpet Padding Is Wearing Down
When your carpet was installed, padding was likely laid down between the floor and the carpet. This makes the carpeting softer to walk on, but it’s also something you’ll need to pay attention to. Also, as it gets older, it starts to wear down, which may make your carpet look wrinkly or uneven. Old carpet padding may also trap bad smells to the point that your carpets stink.
Conclusion
No one wants to have dirty carpets, but before you decide to replace them, you might want to try getting them professionally cleaned. In many cases, this will solve your carpet problem and help them look new once again. Call our carpet care The Villages office today to give your carpets a thorough clean!