If your Arvada business has carpeted floors keeping them looking great all the time might seem like a daunting task. And the larger the carpeted space the more daunting the task. But that doesn't have to be the case. What's needed is an effective cleaning schedule. One that ensures the carpeting receives an appropriate amount of attention while also making sure carpet cleaning doesn't interfere with your day-to-day operation. In this post, the experts at Steve's Carpet Care examine what a carpet maintenance schedule should look like.
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Maintenance Needs by Carpet Material
Before you can devise an appropriate cleaning and maintenance schedule you need to know the material your carpet is made from and what the cleaning requirements are for that type of material.
- Nylon – Nylon is very durable and typically low maintenance. For that reason, it's popular with businesses. If you have nylon carpeting in your office it's recommended you get it professionally cleaned every 12-18 months.
- Polyester – Polyester is another popular material for carpeting known for its softness and ability to hold vibrant colors. Polyester carpeting should be cleaned every 6-12 months with care taken not to use too much water during the cleaning process.
- Wool – Wool is known for being soft and durable and having a luxurious feel. When cleaning wool carpeting you should avoid strong detergents and instead use a low-moisture extraction method of cleaning. Clean wool carpets every 12-18 months, or every 6-12 months in high-traffic areas.
- Olefin – Olefin (polypropylene) is highly resistant to moisture and mold and is often used for outdoor carpeting or indoor areas adjacent to exterior doors. Olefin carpets typically need cleaning every 9-12 months.
- Carpet blends – Carpets are sometimes made from a blend of different fibers. So cleaning requirements will change depending on the exact blend of those fibers. As a general rule clean carpet blends every 9-18 months.
Benefits of Routine Carpet Maintenance
Sticking to a proper schedule of cleaning will prevent the need for early replacement, likely eliminate the need for carpet repair and ensure viability of the warranty, since many carpet manufacturers stipulate their carpeting must be professionally cleaned on a regular basis or the warranty is void. Well-maintained carpeting also enables your business to put its best foot forward when hosting clients or guests.
Entry Mats: Why They're Essential
The dirt on your indoor carpets doesn't just appear by magic. It's brought in on the bottom of people's shoes from the outside. The fact that this dirt and other pollutants from the street makes it into your office is the first thing that needs to be addressed.
So the first component of any effective cleaning schedule will be to install high-quality entryway mats that will remove the bulk of dirt, mud, slush and other gnarly hangers-on from the bottom of worker's shoes before they ever get to the inner sanctum of your business.
According to the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) these mats should be 10 - 15 feet long, as that is typically enough to remove most dirt and grime from the soles of shoes. If the weather is particularly harsh additional mats should be deployed by all entrances.
Recommended Schedule for Commercial Carpet Cleaning
With the entry mats deployed, we can turn our attention to the business of determining a cleaning schedule for your carpets. The important thing to remember is that different parts of the carpet will require different levels of attention, so the cleaning schedule should be broken down as follows:
Daily Cleaning Tasks
- Address any spills or stains immediately to prevent them from becoming permanent features of the carpeting.
- Have your regular cleaning company vacuum high-traffic areas daily, including mats in the entryways, common areas, and the lobby.
Weekly Cleaning Tasks
- Vacuum the office, conference rooms, and break room twice a week, using special attachments to clean corners, under desks, and other hard-to-reach areas.
- Thoroughly vacuum storage rooms, private offices, and other low-traffic areas once a week.
Monthly Cleaning Tasks
- Clean any area rugs in your commercial space once a month.
- Give floor mats, including those hard-working mats by the entryway, a thorough monthly cleaning.
Quarterly Cleaning Tasks
- Professionally clean all carpeting in high-traffic areas every three months, using a truck-mounted steam cleaning machine to clean deep down to the pile while killing bacteria and eliminating mold and mildew.
Annual Cleaning Tasks
- Have low-traffic areas professionally cleaned once a year.
- Conduct an annual review of carpet conditions throughout the facility to adjust the cleaning schedule and pinpoint areas needing extra attention.
Additional Considerations
- Consider seasonal adjustments to your carpet maintenance schedule, especially during periods of harsh weather when more frequent vacuuming and spot cleaning may be needed.
- Recognize that certain businesses, such as restaurants and healthcare facilities, may require more frequent or specialized cleaning due to the nature of spills or foot traffic.
- Keep in mind that carpet material matters—nylon carpets can often be cleaned every 12–18 months, while polyester carpeting may need cleaning every 6–12 months, with methods varying by material type.
Not all types of carpeting require the same cleaning methods. And in fact, using an improper cleaning method on a carpet may result in the nullification of the warranty. For this reason and more it's vital that you only entrust the care of your carpeting to a company with years of experience, the right equipment and highly-trained personnel who will make the right call on which cleaning method to use.
Explore Our Carpet Cleaning Services
Learn more about the residential & commercial carpet cleaning services we offer throughout the Denver metro area.The Final Consideration: Who to Trust With Your Carpets
That is why so many businesses in and around Arvada entrust the care of their carpeting to Steve's Carpet Care. Our decades of experience sets us apart from most carpet cleaning companies while our carpet repair and rug cleaning services are second to none. If you want to make sure the carpeting in your office, retail store, restaurant or medical facility is always clean and hygienic, call Steve's at (303) 530-4900.