Why Professional Cleaning is Necessary for Your Carpets and Soft Furnishings

Just as our clothes need regular cleaning to keep them fresh and hygienic, carpets and upholstered furniture need to be maintained in the same way. Regular professional cleaning ensures the removal of soiling, along with any potentially harmful bacteria, in a safe and practical way.

 

Vacuuming Alone is Not Enough 

Carpets act as a filter in the home and collects all sorts of dust, grit and soil. The visible grime we notice on the surface is only the tip of the iceberg, with up to 85 per cent buried deep within the pile. Regular vacuuming is a necessity to keep your carpets and coverings clean, but does not remove those deep-down soils that attach themselves to the fibres. When you consider that a carpet can eventually trap its own weight or more in soil, regular professional cleaning makes sense.

 

So, What Are the Benefits of Professional Cleaning?

Increased Life Expectancy

Soil and dirt can be major causes of reduced carpet and fabric life, as they enable harmful and destructive bacteria to go unnoticed. Most domestic vacuum cleaners, shampooers and steamers, even the more powerful ones, haven't got what it takes to get rid of that deep-down dirt. Professional cleaning will release those problematic soils and assist in maintaining the original look and lustre of your soft furnishings.

Improved Appearance and Smell 

Professional cleaning can ensure removal of most stubborn stains and marks, and even the oldest of carpets and upholstered furniture can look great again. Furthermore, most odours can be removed during the cleaning process, leaving you with fresh and clean-smelling soft furnishings.

Avoids Replacement Costs

If you got mud on your shoes, would you look to clean them or buy brand new ones?

Cleaning costs are minimal when you consider the replacement cost of carpets and furnishings. Most quality carpets and upholstery have excellent wear properties, which means if you maintain them well, they will last years. Regular professional cleaning makes economic sense.

Avoids D-I-Y Disasters! 

While D-I-Y cleaning products may cost less, it is very easy to damage carpet and upholstery if you don’t know what you’re doing. These methods are never as effective as professional cleaning, and can be detrimental to your soft furnishings and even your health if not carried out properly.

 

How to Ensure You’re Using a Professional Cleaning Company 

There are a number of things to check when employing a cleaning company.

Ask For Evidence of Training

A trained carpet cleaning technician will have the required skills to carry out the cleaning properly and safely, and will be able to advise on the most appropriate method, or combination of methods, for your situation. Don't be afraid to ask for evidence of a tradeperson's training. If they are a professional, it won't be a problem.

Ask to See Their Insurance 

All professional cleaning companies should have adequate insurance to cover them in the event of a problem or accident. A Public Liability insurance policy is required, which is standard for companies offering services to the public.If their insurance policy is "Third Party only" then whatever they are cleaning isn’t covered. Is it worth the risk?

Check Out Their Reviews

Look for plenty of reviews given over months or years, not all in a few weeks, and including some recent ones. These should preferably be on a consumer confidence site such as Trading Standards, the Government approved TrustMark consumer protection website or, of course, the National Carpet Cleaners Association site, Trusted Local Cleaners.

Time for a clean?

While your soft furnishings may not require the regular cleaning that some other household items demand, you should consider professional cleaning at least once in every two year period, even if you vacuum regularly.

Professional cleaning will not only help to retain the appearance of your flooring, it will also extend its life and contribute to better air quality, reducing allergies and illness.

Whether it’s used in styling a brand new home, or the refurbishment of an existing one, carpet is still the most popular choice of flooring in the UK today.

Wood or tile floors are a good option for some rooms, but most homeowners still prefer to install carpeting in living rooms, hallways, stairways and bedrooms.

So… what is it that makes carpet such a popular choice?

1) It Adds Beauty And Style:

Carpet is a very flexible flooring option, allowing considerable scope for creativity.

There are literally thousands of patterns, cuts, colours and styles of to choose from. Carpet can provide a neutral foundation or add a decorative element in any room, enabling you to create your own individual style.

2) It Has Excellent Wear Properties:

Most quality carpets have excellent wear properties, which means that many years of comfortable service can be expected if the right carpet is selected in the first instance.

3) It Provides Warmth And Comfort in the Home:

Carpet instantly brings comfort to a room.

It also has very good thermal insulating properties, efficiently retaining heat within its pile and backing material.

4) It Provides A Non-Slip, Cushioned Surface:

Carpet provides a cushioning effect and has excellent orthopaedic properties.

It also offers better traction than other flooring options, reducing slips and falls. Furthermore, if falls do occur, the softer surface reduces their impact - an important consideration if you have children or elderly people in your home.

5) It Has Very Efficient Sound Reduction Properties:

Carpet can make a big difference to the acoustics in your home by absorbing and dampening sounds. It creates a sound barrier between floors, reduces the noise from foot traffic on stairways, absorbs airborne sounds (such as talking), and even lessens noise transmission to adjoining neighbours.

6) It Improves Indoor Air Quality:

There is a perception that carpet is a poor choice for maintaining good air quality, and that people who suffer from asthma and allergies should avoid this type of floor covering in their home. In fact, the opposite is true.

Although we might not normally associate carpet with improved indoor air quality, it does actually have a very positive effect. Gravity causes common household particles, such as dust, pollen and pet and insect dander, to fall to the floor. Carpet fibres trap these particles, reducing their circulation in the air, and holds them until they can be properly removed through vacuuming and professional cleaning (providing this is undertaken regularly of course).

7) Its A Relatively Low Emitter of VOCs:

VOCs (Volatile organic compounds) can contribute to what is known as ‘sick building syndrome’, causing occupants to experience a host of health problems (including sore throats, coughs and allergic symptoms). Carpet has lower VOC emissions than many other common flooring choices. In fact, it’s one of the lowest emitting products used in new construction and renovation.

Maintaining Your Carpet

Carpet does, of course, need regular maintenance to keep it looking good and to retain its life expectancy, as well as remove the deep-down soiling and contaminants that its fibres so efficiently trap.

The first thing you will need to do to maintain your carpet is vacuum frequently. You should also have your carpets regularly professionally cleaned. This will remove the contaminants deep within the pile that vacuuming alone cannot reach.

Never be tempted to try and clean your carpets yourself, however, as home cleaning methods are relatively ineffective and may lead to damage.

Members of the National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA) are professional carpet cleaners who are trained to a high standard. They will be able to clean your carpets both safely and effectively.