Commercial Carpet Cleaning: How Often should it be Done?

Commercial carpets are created for heavy-duty use but they still need proper cleaning and maintenance. By taking good care of the carpets in your office, store or commercial facility, you’ll be extending their lifespan exponentially.

The big question is how often should you get commercial carpets cleaned? The answer may come as a surprise.

Carpet Cleaning Tips for Different Businesses

The answer depends mainly on the type of commercial facility that you’re operating. The carpet cleaning suggestions for an office and a retail store are quite different. 

Depending on the number of employees that an office has, a commercial carpet should be cleaned professionally approximately every six months. This doesn’t refer to vacuum cleaning, which should happen on a weekly basis.

In retail stores, carpets have to be washed every three months. If the place is a very high-traffic business, more frequent carpet cleaning could also be beneficial. Proper cleaning will preserve the colors and the beautiful appearance of the carpet, creating a welcoming place for clients to enjoy.

Restaurants and bars are also classified as high-traffic businesses. Quarterly carpet cleaning and washing will be recommended.

Finally, industrial facilities need to have their carpets cleaned depending on their activities. Facilities that deal with oils and other pollutants, for example, may need to have their carpets cleaned much more frequently than all of the other businesses already mentioned in the article. Even if the business works with harsh substances, proper cleaning and carpet protection can extend the lifespan of the carpet and prevent unnecessary replacements.

Types of Pollutants

You’re probably already getting an idea that carpet cleaning frequency depends both on the facility and the types of pollutants. Some substances can deteriorate carpet fibers, contributing to a shabby appearance.

Some of the most damaging pollutants include salt and ice treatment chemicals, residual oil, dirt and grit that will get trapped inside the fibers, sand and all kinds of chemicals used in gardening or manufacturing.

If your carpets are frequently exposed to such substances, professional cleaning every three months will be the optimal approach towards keeping them healthy and stain-free.

Take Good Care of Your Carpets

To reduce the number of commercial cleanings needed, you’ll have to get in the habit of taking proper care of your carpets:

• Vacuum cleaning: vacuuming carpets while extract sand, dirt and grime from between the fibers. The carpets should be vacuumed on a weekly basis and even more frequently in high-traffic areas.
• Door mats: this is probably the simplest and most effective option for keeping carpets clean. By positioning door mats everywhere, you’ll encourage people to clean their shoes before entering the premises.
• Be careful when moving equipment around: dragging chairs, desks and heavy equipment around will damage the carpets and get the dirt lodged deep inside. When having to do such relocations, it’s always a better idea to lift the items.
• No food and drink rules: no food and drink rules should be implemented for your customers to prevent spills. When it comes to employees, foods and drinks should be consumed solely in the kitchen or the area designated for having a break, a lunch or a cup of coffee.
• Use furniture leg caps and pads: leg caps and mats are known as floor protectors. These are great for keeping hardwood floors free from damage and they’ll also work for carpets. Heavy duty carpet mats can also be positioned underneath bulkier items to keep them in place and to maintain the carpet underneath in pristine condition.

Why Keeping Commercial Carpets Clean is so Important

The considerations here aren’t just aesthetical. Clean carpets have a much more practical purpose, which is why you have to make sure yours are grime, dirt and stain-free.

A clean carpet can act as a filter inside your office or store. Its fibers have the ability to “trap” small and microscopic particles contributing to poor air quality. Needless to say, a carpet that’s filled with dirt and dust will make the air dirtier, as well.

Deep cleaning removes the risk of carpets making the air quality poorer. This is why you have to choose the right company for the job. You’ll also need to find information about the products used in carpet cleaning. The types of detergents and the procedures themselves are as important, as the frequency of having your carpets deep-cleaned.

Choosing the right carpet for your business venue will obviously determine its longevity. Apart from picking the right quality, however, you should also put emphasis on professional cleaning. Doing it frequently will enable you to enjoy the carpet for a longer period of time, it will enhance the interior design of your store or office and it will also improve the indoor air quality. These are just some of the reasons why you should start putting a bit more effort in commercial carpet maintenance right now.

By Cliff Derksen
Owner of First Impressions Janitorial