With so many different ways to tackle a dirty carpet, it can be overwhelming to choose the right one for you. Different materials, lifestyles and the condition of your carpet can impact the best carpet cleaning method to use. Read on to find out about common carpet cleaning methods and which carpets they suit best.
This carpet cleaning method uses pressurised water to dislodge dirt from your carpet fibres. An extractor is then used to remove the dirty water, leaving behind a clean carpet.
If you have a synthetic carpet material with a lot of stains on it, this might be the method for you. It's also great for removing odours, allergens and mould, and won't leave behind any residue. However, beware that this method may come with lengthy drying times.
Water is likely to damage natural carpets, so dry cleaning is a safer option. Dry carpet cleaning works by driving absorbent powders into your carpet, then vacuuming them away. You can either use crystal polymers (encapsulation), or biodegradable compounds (dry compound cleaning). Both substances effectively capture dirt, allergens and mould spores and pull them away when vacuumed. These methods are very quick and allow you to use the space right away, making them great for commercial settings.
Using a specialised steamer, steam carpet cleaning loosens dirt clinging to your carpet. Great for hard surfaces, it's also a way to refresh your carpet. If you don't have too many stains and just want to give your carpet a boost, this is a lighter option. However, you will need to give your carpet extended time to dry. You should not try this carpet cleaning method on natural carpets, as the steam can damage them.
Using a specialised machine with a spinning pad, bonnet cleaning is another carpet cleaning method suited to commercial settings. The machine can cover large areas quickly and can restore the appearance of even crushed carpet. However, you should tread carefully - if bonnet cleaning is done incorrectly, it can lead to smeared dirt, so it should only be tried by a trained professional. This is also not the most effective method for carpets in need of a deep clean.
Carpet shampooing has become a popular DIY method, as carpet shampoos are readily available. However, this method can be far less effective than the alternatives above. Misuse of shampoo machines can damage your carpet, and you might find a sticky residue left behind, leaving your carpet worse than when you started.
Professional carpet cleaners are trained in a variety of cleaning methods to help care for your carpet, and have an expert eye for finding the best techniques. Use the National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA) directory to find accredited carpet cleaners all over the UK, and be sure that your carpet is in safe hands.
Find a carpet cleaner near you
Returning customers are the heart of any business. Implementing a loyalty programme is a great way to reward repeat business, bringing customers back again and again by creating a sense of community. Here's how you can create a loyalty programme for your customers.
There are all kinds of loyalty schemes, and it's up to you to tailor your loyalty scheme to your brand and your customer base. It may even be worth having separate schemes for residential and commercial customers. Here are a few common ways to structure a loyalty programme - you can use just one, or a mixture of models.
Customers can collect a stamp for every time they use your service. When they collect enough stamps, they earn a reward, whether this is a free clean, a voucher or another free gift. You can choose between using physical or digital stamp cards.
Instead of stamps, customers can collect points. An advantage of this scheme is that it incentivises customers to spend more, as you can award more points for bigger purchases. However, it's slightly more work to keep track of points than stamps, so consider how you will track and store this data.
Some loyalty programmes charge a set fee in exchange for a discount or a set number of visits each year. You can have a singular subscription, or different tiers that entitle customers to different levels of rewards. Many of these yearly fees work out slightly cheaper than buying the individual visits, but in return, you get guaranteed income and guaranteed customers.
Another option is to allow customers to refer their friends to your business in exchange for rewards. For example, if a customer refers their friend, you could give them each a 10% off voucher. Not only does this incentivise referrals, but it also makes a good first impression on new customers.
A personalised touch that some rewards schemes use is to send customers a voucher on their birthday. You may want to send the voucher slightly before customers’ birthdays, to encourage them to book in for a clean before their party.
Whichever model you choose, customers must understand what they are signing up for. This starts with giving it an intuitive name and simple sign-up process, but includes readily available terms and conditions. If there are any limitations to your scheme, e.g. a limited number of rewards that can be redeemed, you must communicate this early on.
Ask for customer feedback on your loyalty scheme and monitor how many people sign up. Low signups show that you may need to adjust the strategy of your loyalty scheme - whether it's better rewards, easier point collection or simplifying your model.
Becoming a member of the National Carpet Cleaners Association grants you access to expert business and marketing advice. Once you gain our accreditation, the seal of approval shows customers that you're highly qualified in the cleaning field.
As outlined in PAS 86:2008, the Publicly Available Specification developed by the National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA) and BSI British Standards, a proper carpet clean should start with a full inspection. This ensures that the appropriate method is selected based on carpet type, construction, and level of soiling. Not every carpet can withstand wet cleaning methods. For certain fibres, dry carpet cleaning offers an effective alternative when applied correctly.
Some natural carpets such as jute, wool, seagrass, and sisal are sensitive to moisture and may shrink, warp, or suffer colour loss when cleaned with water. For these carpets, a carefully selected dry carpet cleaning method can reduce the risk of damage. However, it's essential to note that even dry cleaning methods can introduce moisture, and not all methods are safe for every fibre.
Dry carpet cleaning also reduces the risk of long drying times and the potential for mould growth due to residual moisture. In addition, many dry methods do not leave behind sticky residues, allowing quicker use of the carpeted area post-cleaning. Reduced water usage can also contribute to environmental sustainability when biodegradable products are used responsibly.
That said, dry carpet cleaning is not a one-size-fits-all solution and should be part of a broader maintenance plan, including regular vacuuming and periodic professional assessment.
Dry carpet cleaning methods
Dry compound cleaning involves applying a granular, biodegradable cleaning agent to the carpet and working it into the fibres using a mechanical brush. The compound absorbs soils and can then be vacuumed away. While effective on some synthetic carpets, this method is generally not suitable for delicate natural carpets like seagrass or sisal, as even small amounts of moisture can cause fading or warping if not used with extreme caution.
Low moisture cleaning methods include bonnet cleaning (a rotary pad system) and solvent-based extraction. These use significantly less water than hot water extraction (HWE), but more than dry compound or encapsulation. While quicker drying, these methods still introduce moisture, and some products may not be suitable for homes with children or sensitive individuals. Always ensure solvent-based products are safe and approved for residential use.
Professional carpet cleaners, particularly those accredited by the NCCA, are trained to select appropriate methods based on fibre identification, carpet construction, and level of soiling. DIY attempts, especially on sensitive fibres, can easily result in permanent damage. Professionals also understand product chemistry, residue management, and drying requirements, all of which are key elements of PAS 86 recommendations.
Search the NCCA Directory If you're unsure which method is right for your carpet, the safest option is to call in a trained professional. The NCCA directory is a great place to start.
Search our directory of carpet cleaners
Every industry experiences seasonal changes, and carpet cleaning is no different. Running a business year-round can be difficult when some periods are much quieter than others, but there are ways you can adapt. Read on to find out our tips for navigating seasonality in the carpet cleaning industry.
There are certain times of year when people are more likely to seek out carpet cleaning. For example, many people choose to clean their carpets before hosting Christmas parties, and spring cleaning is another common trend.
You may also find an increase in holiday homeowners cleaning their carpets in preparation for summer.
Every area will have slightly different trends, so it's worth getting to know your local region. If you know which demographics are getting their carpets cleaned at specific times, you can tailor your marketing to those groups, or think about how to bring in less frequent visitors.
When you experience lulls in carpet cleaning jobs, you should consider ways to make carpet cleaning more attractive at that time of year. For example, off-peak deals may encourage people to change their habits.
This may also be the best time of year to get any equipment serviced, as you are more likely to have time to carry out any repairs or upgrades without it impacting clients. It's also a good chance to carry out training for you and your employees, or sort out any admin tasks that you don't have time for at busier points.
If you are finding that quiet seasons are severely impacting your carpet cleaning business, it might be worth taking on additional tasks at those times of year. Focusing on adjacent jobs such as upholstery cleaning or restoration might be the best way to bring in clients and keep the lights on.
If you know you have a busy season coming up, you should consider hiring seasonal employees to help with the workload. These employees could be trained during the quiet seasons, ready to take on the seasonal rush. This should help prevent turning away work due to lack of time.
Keep in mind that busy seasons can become even more competitive, so standing out from the other businesses in your area is even more important. Offering seasonal packages is a good way to simplify the booking process and help people find what they want quickly, making them more likely to choose you.
Certain seasonal weather can make your job easier. For example, during warmer months, rugs can be dried outside and the heat allows you to ventilate rooms without freezing clients. Keep this in mind when planning your schedule.
No matter the season, the National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA) supports businesses. Becoming an NCCA member gives you access to discounted training, online forums and mediation services to help you excel in your field. We also award every member our badge of accreditation, showing potential customers that you're a trustworthy business.
Become an NCCA member
The air that you breathe has a direct impact on your health. Creating a healthy environment starts with taking care of the items in your home. You may not realise just how impactful your soft furnishings are on indoor air quality, but there are many reasons that keeping a clean home is good for your health.
In an enclosed area, everything in the room can contribute to air quality. Without regular upkeep, you can find your health deteriorating.
Pollen, dust and other allergens in the air can have an instant impact on health for people with allergies. Sniffles, headaches and rashes can become everyday experiences if air isn't kept clean enough.
Living in a space with mould can cause long-term health issues. Mould constantly releases spores into the air, creating more patches of mould and making its way into your lungs.
Carpet and upholstery are both very absorbent. Pollutants and allergens can get embedded into soft furnishings. Every time someone steps or sits on the fabric, these particles can be propelled into the room and inhaled by you and your family.
If you have pets, they can bring in pollutants and allergens on their paws and fur. They also dribble and moult regularly, which can trigger symptoms for people with pet allergies. These particles and hairs get embedded in furniture, and can be difficult to remove if left too long.
Babies and young children spend the most time on carpets, so they are the first to breathe in pollutants or allergens propelled into the air. As their immune systems are still developing, they are much more vulnerable to becoming ill.
If there is a smoker in your household, the harmful chemicals are absorbed into the soft furnishings and slowly released into the air. This can be damaging to everyone, not just the smoker.
Vacuuming at least once a week prevents harmful particles from building up. If you have pets, babies or people with allergies in your household, you should vacuum more often.
Even if it's just water, a spillage can lead to mould. Soaking up liquids right away reduces the chance that they will reach the backing of your carpet, which is the place where mould is most likely to form.
Regular deep cleaning removes the pollutants and allergens buried deep in your carpet. The best way to do this is to hire a professional carpet cleaner, as they will use the best techniques to preserve your carpet while thoroughly cleaning it.
Maintain your health by hiring a professional carpet cleaner. There are National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA) cleaners all over the UK. Every cleaner in our directory is accredited, experienced and highly trained.
Search for a professional carpet cleaner
Cleaning your carpet can be a precise process. Using the wrong method or products can be ineffective and damage your carpet. One consideration is the material your carpet is made of. By comparing synthetic vs wool carpet, you can choose the best material for your home or figure out how to clean the carpet you already have.
Wool fibres outer layer are made up of overlapping scales which naturally make it stain-resistant. It is also fire resistant, so won't melt. As a hard-wearing material, wool can withstand busy lifestyles. However, there are still some tips you should keep in mind when cleaning your wool carpet.
While wool is stain-resistant, spillages will soak in if left too long. This makes it even more important that you deal with stains right away.
As a natural material, wool is very attractive to pests such as moths and carpet beetles. There are treatments that can be applied to your carpet to repel pests, but you should tackle any bug sightings right away to prevent an infestation.
Using products that are alkaline can damage a wool carpet. Make sure that any product you use is suitable for natural fibres. WoolSafe-approved products are the ideal choice as they are tested and approved for use on wool and other quality fibers. If in doubt, bring in a professional carpet cleaner.
No carpet should be saturated, but wool carpets take a particularly long time to dry. This can damage the floor underneath and distort the carpet. Consider dry cleaning your carpet to avoid getting it wet.
Nylon, polyester and polypropylene carpets are all synthetic. Synthetic carpets can be treated with stain resistance. However, they are more vulnerable to sun damage than wool carpet. Make sure you know which synthetic material your carpet is made of, as this can make the best cleaning method different.
Oil-based substances can stain synthetic carpet very easily. You should always tackle spills right away, but pay special attention when spilling oil-based substances. Take a look at our guides to figure out how to tackle stains on your carpet.
Synthetic carpets can crush very easily, particularly if they are made of polyester or polypropylene. When cleaning your carpet, it is important to blot instead of scrubbing. You should also brush it regularly to maintain its shape.
Due to their easily crushed nature, synthetic carpets work best with suction-only vacuums. If your synthetic carpet is made of nylon, it maybe be able to withstand the beater bar slightly better, but be careful with other synthetic materials. If your vacuum has a brush, you should adjust it to be as far away from the carpet as possible, to prevent pilling and frizzing.
Professional carpet cleaners are experts in identifying carpet and cleaning it the right way. Every National Carpet Cleaners Association (NCCA) cleaner has undertaken extensive training in order to receive our accreditation. Using your postcode, you can find our carpet cleaners located all over the UK.
Search our carpet cleaner directory