Keeping your carpets clean while running a business can be a greater challenge than many people realize. Cleaning commercial carpets is essential for your company image, as well as cost and cleanliness. In fact, a recent study showed that 93% of Americans will have a negative opinion about a business with dirty carpets.
But finding the time for a hotel or office carpet clean isn’t always easy. You also need to be conscious to choose the right carpet cleaning method to get the best results and not cause damage to your carpet.
If you’ve never cleaned a carpet before, you might have several fundamental questions. How often should a commercial carpet be cleaned? What chemicals do professionals use to clean carpets? And, is professional carpet cleaning better than do-it-yourself carpet cleaning? This guide will help answer all of these questions, as well as explain the process of cleaning commercial carpets.
Before Cleaning: Assess the Condition of the Carpet
The first step to knowing how to properly clean a commercial carpet is knowing when to clean it. Before cleaning, you should inspect the carpet to determine the best type of cleaning to perform as well as what other steps should be taken.
There are a few conditions to look for and consider when assessing your carpet before cleaning. Some of the most important ones include:
- Visible stains on carpet
- Strong odors coming from carpet
- Carpet colors and patterns look faded
- People experiencing allergy symptoms
Stains on your commercial carpet are inevitable in most businesses. Whether it’s from spills or people tracking mud in from outdoors, every carpet is going to become stained eventually. With that said, not cleaning stains sends a bad message to customers and potential clients.
Having a faded-looking carpet is often a sign that the carpet has gone too long between cleanings. Like stains, your carpet will naturally become dull over time. So, if you notice that the color has started to fade, it is a clear sign that cleaning is needed.
The most concerning conditions when it comes to carpet quality are strong odors and the presence of allergy symptoms. Stains and faded colors are aesthetic concerns that can affect your reputation. And while odors and allergens are aesthetic as well, they can also directly impact customer and employee experiences and health.
A musty smell throughout the building could be a sign of mold or mildew living in your carpet. This is never a good thing and is often a sign that deep cleaning is necessary. Either one of these conditions alone is a problem. Both of them together is a sign that you have an urgent and time-sensitive problem and should absolutely prioritize cleaning your carpets.
Pre-Cleaning Preparation
Once you’ve decided to clean your carpets, it’s time to start the pre-cleaning preparation process. If you’re using commercial carpet cleaning services, you can’t simply begin cleaning without preparing the area first. A few basic steps should be followed prior to cleaning.
1. Remove Furniture
A deep cleaning requires you to clean the entire carpeted area, not just certain spots. In order to get the entire surface of the carpet, you will need to remove any furniture from the area.
2. Remove Debris
With the furniture out of the way, also remove any large debris from the carpet. Usually, this means thoroughly vacuuming the carpeted area. This gets rid of any loose dirt and reduces the amount of work required by your commercial cleaning services.
3. Test Cleaning Products
If you’re using new cleaning solutions on your commercial carpet, you should always test them beforehand. Pick an inconspicuous area of the carpet (in a corner or a spot that is normally covered by furniture) to apply a small amount of your cleaning products. Some products can damage or discolor certain carpets so testing an inconspicuous spot can prevent mass disastrous cleaning results.
4. Cover Vulnerable Areas
Lastly, make sure that any sensitive spots or items on the floor are covered so that they are protected from being damaged. This includes things like hardwood flooring adjacent to your carpets, or any wiring and electronics that could not be removed.
Choosing a Cleaning Materials and Method to Use
Once everything is set up, it’s time to start cleaning. But, another crucial step to settle before you begin is choosing the best cleaning method and materials for your space. There are several different cleaning methods to choose from. Each is effective, but they all have their own pros and cons to weigh.
Hot Water Extraction
Hot water extraction is often mistaken for steam cleaning because both cleaning processes produce steam. However, hot water extraction uses a mix of hot water and cleaning solutions to deep clean carpets and remove stains. The steam that gets produced is a byproduct, and not actually part of the cleaning process. Hot water extraction is good for removing stubborn stains from your carpet. One downside is that you have to wait for commercial carpets to dry after hot water extraction.
Steam Cleaning
Steam cleaning looks similar to hot water extraction, but uses a different approach. Using a steam cleaner removes dirt, debris, mildew, and allergens that are embedded in the carpet. Steam cleaning is a more eco-friendly cleaning method because it uses no chemical cleaning detergents. Using a steam cleaner is great for sanitizing a carpet to remove odor and allergens.
Dry Cleaning
Carpet dry cleaning, as the name implies, uses very little moisture to produce clean carpets. Instead, dry cleaning relies heavily on cleaning detergents to break up stains and loosen debris. Then, the dirt and detergent are vacuumed up afterward. Dry cleaning is used for commercial carpet cleaning because it is fast, making it less disruptive. However, the detergents used can damage certain carpets.
Bonnet Cleaning
Bonnet cleaning is another form of dry cleaning that uses very little moisture. Bonnet cleaning uses a specialized carpet-cleaning machine called a bonnet. After applying a cleaning solution to the carpet, the bonnet uses circular motions to loosen up dirt and debris before soaking them up. Bonnet cleaning is quick and cost-effective, making it ideal for cleaning high-traffic areas. Bonnet cleaning can be used frequently without disrupting traffic. However, it is not the best method for deep cleaning commercial carpets.
Step-by-Step Guide to Cleaning Commercial-Grade Carpet
Whether attempting a DIY clean or hiring professional cleaners, these are the basic steps to follow.
Step 1: Select Your Cleaning Method Based on Carpet Type
As mentioned, you need to know what type of cleaning method to use before anything else. Your carpet type will determine which cleaning method is best. For instance, cotton or wool carpets are better suited for dry cleaning, while commercial nylon carpets can benefit from hot water or steam cleaning.
Step 2: Vacuum
Before running your carpet cleaning equipment, a simple run-through with the vacuum cleaner is crucial. This removes any major debris from the surface of the carpet, allowing the cleaner to work more efficiently.
Step 3: Apply Cleaning Solutions
If you need to apply cleaning solutions before running your carpet cleaner, do that after vacuuming. This is not necessary for every job. Steam cleaning, for instance, uses no detergents.
Step 4: Run Cleaning Equipment
Now, it’s time to actually clean your carpets. No matter what method you choose, remember that a commercial carpet cleaner is not a vacuum. You will likely need to take it slower than you would with a normal vacuum. Make sure each area is properly treated before moving on. Additionally, you should take a moment to make sure your equipment is properly calibrated. Some carpet cleaners require height adjustments in order to latch onto the carpet for the best results.
Step 5: Spot Clean if Necessary
If any stubborn stains don’t go away after running your carpet cleaner, you may need to spot clean. When spot cleaning, remember to work gently to not press the stain further into the carpet. Work from the outside of the stain and gently move inward with a soft blotting or dabbing technique.
When to Get Professional Help for Cleaning Commercial Carpets
If attempting a DIY carpet cleaning is too much hassle, you may be wondering, “is professional carpet rug cleaning worth hiring out?”
The answer to that question, in most cases, is yes. If you’re investing in commercial carpet cleaning, it’s often worth it to let a professional do the work. Professional commercial cleaning services send an expert technician to work the equipment and provide the best possible cleaning for your carpets. Hiring commercial carpet cleaners, like Dallas Janitorial Services, can extend the life of your carpet and keep your office looking better for longer.
It is especially worthwhile to hire professional commercial carpet cleaning services when you have a carpet in need of deep cleaning. Removing bad odors, allergens, and stubborn stains takes a lot of work. If done improperly, you could end up damaging your carpet. A professional can reduce these risks while completing the job more efficiently.
FAQs About Cleaning Commercial Carpets
What is the best method for commercial carpet cleaning?
The best method for commercial carpet cleaning depends on the type of carpet and the carpet’s condition. Different carpet materials require different types of care. Additionally, heavily soiled carpets often require a deeper cleaning than less soiled floors.
How often should a commercial carpet be cleaned?
The frequency of cleaning also varies. High-traffic areas should be cleaned more frequently (every 1-2 weeks). Less trafficked areas, on the other hand, can be cleaned every month or every other month, or even less frequently.
What chemicals do professionals use to clean carpets?
Different carpet cleaning methods require different cleaning solutions. Some of the most common chemicals found in carpet cleaning products include sodium citrate, nitrilotriacetic acid, and enzymes like amylase and cellulase.
Is professional carpet cleaning better than doing it yourself?
Professional commercial carpet cleaning services offer more knowledge and experience for deep cleaning commercial carpets. For the best results, it is usually better to rely on a professional carpet cleaner than do it yourself.
Is professional rug cleaning worth it?
Yes. Professional rug cleanings are affordable, and professional cleaning services can help prolong the life of your rug, too.
Trust the Professionals at Dallas Janitorial Services
Commercial carpet cleaning is a multi-step process that requires a good deal of experience with the different carpet types. With the right preparation, you can clean your commercial carpets yourself. However, you can also leave the job to the professional commercial carpet cleaners at Dallas Janitorial Services. Our professional cleaners offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee on any professional carpet cleaning.
Dallas Janitorial services a wide range of industries all over the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Contact us to get a free quote today.
