Deep cleaning your carpet is a vital part of caring for it. While many people dismiss deep cleaning as a lot of effort, it has countless benefits for your carpet. Here are the answers to common questions that people ask about deep cleaning.
It might be tempting to leave deep cleaning your carpet until it's visibly dirty. However, your carpet can age much quicker when not properly taken care of, so you should stick to a regular deep-cleaning schedule.
The average household should deep clean their carpets at least twice a year. However, you should consider deep cleaning more often if you have children, pets, people who smoke or people with allergies in your household – our recommendation is every four months.
If you vacuum regularly, you might be wondering whether deep cleaning matters. While hoovering does help your carpet, there are further benefits to regular deep cleaning.
Invisible bacteria collects deep in the fibers of your carpet. Every time someone steps on your carpet, these bacteria are propelled into the room and can cause illness in you and your household. Deep cleaning carpet regularly minimises the levels of harmful bacteria living inside it.
Mould spores become embedded in your carpet. When the right cold, wet conditions form, these grow into mould. Not only can this damage the carpet, but mould is also harmful to health. By deep cleaning correctly, you reduce the chance of those mould spores growing.
Carpets live longer when they are well cared for. Over time, the fibers can get crushed and need life breathing back into them. Deep cleaning can keep your carpet looking fresh and feeling soft underfoot.
Carpets easily absorb dirt and other particles, which collect inside it. This can cause bad smells. While you might get used to these odours, guests will be hit by the unpleasant smell as soon as they enter your home! Deep clean carpet to eliminate this stench.
Similar to the other substances mentioned, allergens like pollen and pet hair can become embedded in your carpet. If you have any allergy sufferers in your home, this can lead to symptoms that range from uncomfortable to dangerous. Help decrease allergy symptoms by deep cleaning.
Some households prefer to tackle deep cleaning carpet on their own. Here are the steps you should carry out.
People often underestimate the importance of carrying out a patch test, but every carpet reacts differently to different products. Test a small amount of product on a hidden area of carpet to make sure it doesn't cause damage or discolouration.
Deep cleaning carpet involves the entire room, so you will need to access every bit of your carpet. All sorts of dirt collects under furniture, and deep cleaning is your chance to remove it. Move everything away, including any rugs.
Start your deep clean by vacuuming. Do this once the same way that you usually do, then repeat more slowly and thoroughly. This will help agitate pollutants that are deeper in the carpet, bringing them to the surface to be vacuumed away on the second circuit.
Avoiding using anything that you have not patch-tested, you can apply cleaning solution after vacuuming. There are many shop-bought options, but these can be unreliable so be careful what you choose. A homemade option is mixing one part white vinegar with two parts warm water, then using a spray bottle to apply it to your carpet. Let this solution sit for 5-10 minutes and then blot it away with a towel or cloth.
Make sure that you never saturate your carpet – this can take a long time to dry and cause long-term damage. Hiring a steam cleaner may seem like an easy option, but a wet carpet can promote mould growth. You should also never use bleach on your carpet, as it causes discoloration and even thinning.
Whatever cleaning product you use, never scrub it into your carpet. It can damage your carpet and drive the stain in further. Instead, gently press your cloth down in circular motions.
If there are still some stubborn stains hanging on to your carpet, they may need more attention. Take a look at our other the NCCA blog for some tips on specific stains, or you can hire a professional carpet cleaner to tackle them.
Deep cleaning your carpet can take time. It's important to pay attention to every area of your carpet, or you won't get all the benefits.
If you are nervous about taking on deep cleaning yourself, you can bring in an expert cleaner. There are many reasons why this might be the better option for you.
You might think that you save money by tackling your carpet yourself, but an inexperienced hand can lead to mistakes. You could find yourself having to call in a professional to fix it, or worse, buy a whole new carpet.
Carpet cleaners have come across all kinds of stains. They are trained in the best ways to remove stains without taking colour with them.
Carpet deep cleaning takes a long time, and not everyone has spare time to set aside. Professional carpet cleaners take the task of deep cleaning carpet off your hands, letting you carry on with your day while they get everything done.
Hiring all the right equipment for yourself can be pricey. Professional carpet cleaners have all of the equipment required to deep clean carpet, ensuring that you get a thorough clean.
For all the benefits of a professional deep clean, take a look at the National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) directory. Every cleaner is insured, accredited and experienced with all kinds of carpets.
Find a carpet cleaner near you in minutes. Enter your postcode, and we'll show you our members in your area.
While curry is a delicious dish with an aromatic scent, it's less enjoyable when it seeps into your carpet. This appetising smell can stick around for a long time, and the vibrant colour of the sauce creates a stubborn stain. Read on to find out how to handle a curry stain on carpet.
Your best chance of success is acting as fast as possible. The longer that curry has to soak into the carpet, the more likely that it will stain it. This isn't always possible, but try to tackle the stain as soon as you discover it.
Use a spoon to scrape up as much excess sauce as possible. This will be much easier early on, but may still be possible with dry sauce. If the curry has dried, you may find that a knife is a better tool for scraping.
Blot the stain with a sponge or dishcloth soaked in warm or sparkling water. It's important not to rub the stain, as this can drive the stain further into your carpet and cause it to spread. Instead, gently dab the area to remove the sauce.
Make sure that you wring out the material you use to prevent saturating the carpet. Without doing so, it may take a long time to dry and lead to mould or further discolouration. Work from the edge of the stain to the centre to avoid smearing it.
If this doesn't remove the stain, you can try a mixture of washing-up liquid and white vinegar. Mix one tablespoon of washing-up liquid, one tablespoon of white vinegar and 500ml of warm or carbonated water. Leave this to soak for up to 30 minutes, then blot the area clean with more water.
If nothing above helps, you can use rubbing alcohol. Use the same blotting method as before, applying a small amount of rubbing alcohol to a dishcloth and blotting the stain. Then, clean the area by blotting it with water, and blot dry with a towel.
Curry stains are most visible on very light carpet, but this is also the kind of carpet that you might be able to get away with using slightly more intense methods. Always do a patch test on a hidden area of your carpet to avoid damaging a visible area.
You can make a stronger mixture with one teaspoon of washing-up liquid, one tablespoon of ammonia and 500ml of warm or carbonated water. Make sure you wear gloves and use a sponge or dishcloth to apply the mixture to the stain. Reapply more mixture every five minutes for a total of 30 minutes, then leave the carpet to air dry.
To avoid potentially damaging your carpet, the safest option is always to hire a professional carpet cleaner. They have experience with all kinds of stains – including curry stain on carpet – and will be properly trained to handle them.
Curry stains are some of the most difficult to remove from carpet – and may be permanent. Even many professional carpet cleaners can’t successfully remove them, so it’s important to find the best cleaners in the business – to protect your carpet as well as giving you the best chance of removing the stain.
The National Carpet Cleaning Association has a directory full of qualified, insured carpet cleaners all over the UK. Search our directory to find carpet cleaners near you today.
Choosing a carpet is a big commitment. The right carpet can complement your home perfectly, while the wrong carpet can be high maintenance and even cause health issues. It's easy to underestimate the importance of pile length when making decisions about your carpet, but it's a key aspect of any carpet. In this article, we’ll explain the difference between low-pile vs high-pile carpet.
Carpet fibres come in different lengths and the word “pile” is used to describe this length. High-pile carpet is characterised by tall, loose fibres, while low-pile carpet has tighter and shorter fibres. The different pile lengths come with different advantages.
High-pile carpet is strongly associated with luxury, due to its full, fluffy texture. This helps give rooms a warm, comfortable feel, and is soft underfoot.
Carpets with a higher pile tend to be less easily flattened than other carpets. They hold their shape well, keeping that new-carpet feel for longer. This is great for entertaining, creating an inviting environment to be envious of.
Due to their thickness, high-pile carpets help maintain warmth and reduce heating bills. They also prevent noise such as footsteps from spreading through your house, making them ideal for upstairs rooms. This thickness means that the floor is slightly padded, helpful for homes with children prone to tumbles.
For a luxurious carpet to elevate a living room or bedroom, high-pile carpet is the best choice. The luscious texture adds interest to a room, both visually and tactilely. This also makes it a popular choice for rugs, as they can complement a room with a splash of extravagance.
On the other hand, there are some benefits of low-pile vs high-pile carpet. If you're looking for a low-maintenance carpet for a high-traffic area, you may prefer low-pile carpet. It's typically a cheaper option, with a smooth feel.
For rooms with chairs, low pile is the best choice – it's easier to slide chairs back and forth across. This includes studies, dining rooms and anywhere that children are likely to be moving toys around on the floor. It's also durable even when faced with high traffic, so it works well in hallways.
If you have pets, low-pile carpet is less likely to get caught in their claws. Treatments for fleas – and other pests that your pet might bring in – are easier on low-pile carpets, as the roots of the fibres are easier to access.
In terms of cleaning, low pile is the easiest option. The shorter fibres are easier to vacuum for day-to-day maintenance, and easier to remove stains from. Low-pile carpet is also less likely to collect allergens, due to the reduced density of fibres.
If you're worried about the best way to clean your carpet, a professional carpet cleaner can help. Members of the National Carpet Cleaning Association are trained to handle all kinds of carpet, ensuring your carpet remains in top-notch condition. Every cleaner in our UK-wide directory is insured and accredited for the best possible experience.
Browse our directory now for someone to clean low-pile or high-pile carpets.
Everybody knows that you shouldn't believe everything you read on the internet – and this is especially true when it comes to cleaning tips. What may seem like a cheap carpet cleaning hack can end up making the situation worse or just wasting your time and energy. To make your life easier, here are some popular carpet cleaning hacks: debunked.
Renting cleaners is often recommended as an easy way to deep clean your carpet by yourself. However, without the right expertise and know-how, these machines can cause further problems for your carpets. Often, they can take a long time to dry, giving mould and mildew the opportunity to grow.
Many people believe that with enough elbow grease, you can scrub out any stain. This is far from true. Scrubbing your carpet can flatten the fibres and even spread the stain.
When you spill something at dinner, it's common for someone to grab the table salt. However, this carpet cleaning hack isn’t really worth its salt. It can cause a stain of its own – salt leaves behind a residue that can even crystallise.
Many deodorisers promise to cure a stinky carpet, but the truth is that they only last so long. Deodorisers only cover the smell, not remove it, leaving the problem to fester.
Many websites recommend dish soap, laundry stain remover or other household cleaning products to clean carpet. These products are not designed to be used on carpet, so they can cause damage or discolouration. This can even become dangerous when chemicals like peroxide and ammonia are used without proper care and protection.
It's true that shaving cream may help with some stains, but there's a catch. Many types of shaving cream contain dyes, which can soak into your carpet and change its appearance. Shaving cream is also greasy, meaning that you'll be left with residue on your carpet that needs cleaning.
Coffee is a persistent stain, but don't fall for the suggestion of using beer to clean it. The smell of beer can hang around, leaving your home smelling like a pub.
Another of the most common carpet cleaning hacks involves the water from soaking and boiling beans, which is said to remove oily stains. However, it's incredibly time-consuming for an only mildly effective method. Save your time – and your beans – by getting a professional in to remove your stains.
Some people swear that white wine is the antidote to a red wine stain. While it's true that it can help break down red wine stains, it won't actually remove them. There are much more effective methods that don't involve pouring more wine onto your carpet.
With so much misinformation in common carpet cleaning hacks, it’s much safer to consult experts. Many of the hacks above fail because people have no way of rinsing them out. For example, shaving foam will degrade fibres if left in the carpet or upholstery.
A professional carpet cleaner can take care of stains or general maintenance without the risk of destroying your carpet. The National Carpet Cleaning Association has a directory of insured, accredited carpet cleaners all over the UK.
Search our directory to find a carpet cleaner near you.
First impressions are important – and your carpet cleaning company name is often the first thing that people know about you. This makes choosing a name a very important part of setting up a cleaning business. Here are some carpet cleaning name ideas to get you started.
Including a positive description in your name can tell potential customers that you're all about high-quality work. For example, Toogood Cleaning and Absolutely Brilliant Carpet Cleaning immediately sound like excellent services. You could also use something that denotes good quality, like 5 Star Floor Care or Carpet Miracles.
Business names don't have to be serious – everyone loves a good giggle! A well-thought-out play on words can bring a smile to people's faces and can be very memorable. Examples include Grime Scene Cleaning Services, Captain Rug Wash and Wat-er Result! Cleaning Services.
Including your area of operation can make you easier to find. Area-based carpet cleaning business name ideas include Carmarthenshire Cleaning and Gloucester Carpet Cleaning.
Another way to make your business memorable is by creating a mascot or character to represent you. This is especially effective if you include them in your logo. Existing cleaning mascots include Miss Maid Ltd. and Rhino Rocks Floorcare.
There's a long-running trend of naming businesses after mythological characters. Mythology is often well known, meaning you can evoke certain qualities through a name – for example, Hercules Services Ltd is associated with strength, and Green Man Carpet Cleaning with rebirth. You could also be less specific and just use a magical creature, like Wash Wizard Group.
A simple way to let people know what you do is to name yourself after cleaning objects. Mops & Buckets SW Ltd. is very clearly a cleaning business, as is Suds Cleaning. You could also name yourself after things you want to solve, like Stainbusters (Yorkshire) Ltd.
Avoid mentioning branded products such as Hoover, as you may land yourself in trouble!
Including your values in carpet cleaning company name ideas is a way to let people know what you're about. For example, Enviro Clean Bedfordshire and Green Carpet Care are both instantly recognisable as environmentally friendly companies, and Futurclean clearly makes use of the latest technology.
With internet search such a common way for consumers to find businesses, it's worth tailoring your name to key phrases. I Need My Carpets Cleaned is a good example of using a common search term as a name. You could also name yourself after a specific service, like The Persian rug cleaning co.
The National Carpet Cleaning Association is a network of carpet cleaners all over the UK. Whichever carpet cleaning name idea you land on, adding your company name to our directory allows customers to easily find you, while giving you our stamp of approval. Members also gain access to exclusive training and forums, supporting your business development.
Become an NCCA member today to enjoy these benefits and more.
The lifespan of a carpet depends on many different factors. Usually, the average carpet will last around 5-15 years, which is a huge range. Below, we’ll look at the different factors that impact your carpet's longevity, along with things that you can do to increase it.
Different carpet materials last longer than others. Wool can last up to 25 years, while nylon is more likely to last 10-15 years.
The colour of your carpet can also impact when it needs replacing. Dark colours hide damage, so wear may not bother you enough to replace it. Neutral colours also hide stains well, whereas light, bright and pale colours are most vulnerable to discolouration.
If your carpet is in a high-traffic area like a hallway, it is likely to age quicker. In contrast, a spare bedroom carpet will last a lot longer
Households with pets may find that claws, toilet accidents and muddy footprints wear their carpet down quicker. Wearing shoes inside can also damage a carpet, bringing in bacteria and mud from outdoors. Even the sun can discolour your carpet.
If you're particularly clumsy and regularly drop things like coffee, wine or nail polish onto your carpet, this will greatly impact the appearance of your carpet. If you don't dry your carpet after liquid spillages, this can lead to mould deep in your carpet. Similarly, if you steam clean your carpet yourself without proper drying, this can do more harm than good.
Sometimes, replacing a carpet is simply down to personal preference – some households change carpets in line with current trends. However, especially with the recent focus on sustainability and an ongoing cost of living crisis, this lifestyle isn't for everyone.
If the only thing wrong with your carpet is stains, it's worth trying to clean them before writing off the carpet. There are home remedies you can try for common spills like coffee, urine and blood. However, calling in a professional carpet cleaner can fix heavy staining.
If someone in your household suffers from allergies, they may find that their symptoms are worsened by mould or allergens embedded into old carpet. Equally, if your carpet is looking thin and threadbare, it might be time to replace it.
Hiring a professional carpet cleaner is the best way to keep your carpet fresh and extend its lifespan. The National Carpet Cleaning Association (NCCA) has a directory full of accredited cleaners all over the UK. Simply search using your postcode, and we'll show you carpet cleaners who are insured and experienced.
Search our directory now.