If you’re looking for a cut-and-dry answer to the question of how often commercial carpets should be cleaned, it depends. Some say you should clean it once a year. Others, every 6 months.
The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. It’s complex, and you need to consider various factors. Location and how often dirt and grime accumulate all play into the answer. Some spaces also collect much more allergen than the rest.
We’ll break down in the following sections each of the factors, to help you determine the optimal deep cleaning schedule for your specific needs.
Here are the crucial factors that will help you determine your ideal carpet cleaning schedule for any commercial space:
Foot Traffic
Foot traffic, or the number of people coming and going, stepping onto your floors is the most crucial. Areas that people frequent, like entrances, exits, lobbies, offices, and break rooms, gather dust, dirt, debris, and allergens much faster than less-used spaces (private offices or conference areas).
If your business experiences heavy foot traffic, more frequent cleaning may be needed— space out the cleaning at intervals of 3 to 6 months to hit the sweet spot.
Carpet Type
You guessed it, carpet type and material also affect the frequency. Most carpet materials like natural fibers don’t need to be cleaned as often to lengthen the material’s durability. This is due to the delicateness of natural fibers. Cleaning them twice or once a year should be fine.
Carpets made from synthetic fibers like nylon or polyester, on the other hand, can be cleaned much more often.
Business Niche And Location
Your commercial cleaning space’s niche and location also affect the cleaning frequency. For example, restaurants or healthcare facilities need more frequent cleaning due to sanitization and hygiene concerns, and the frequency of potential spills.
Likewise, businesses in open-air areas or locations with high pollution levels or harsh weather conditions must have their carpets cleaned more often to prevent dirt and debris from accumulating.
Cleaning Methods
Commercial carpet cleaning methods, be they regular vacuuming, spot cleaning, or professional deep cleaning can also affect your carpet’s overall cleanliness.
If you’re constantly vacuuming carpets and ensuring spills are cleaned as soon as they occur, you can extend the lifespan of your carpets.
However, occasional deep cleaning is recommended to remove dirt, allergens, and bacteria that may be embedded (deep-seated dirt and some bacteria may not be addressed through regular maintenance).
Instead Of Wondering How Often You Should Clean Carpets In A Commercial Building, Check Out For Signs They Need Cleaning
- A noticeable buildup of dirt and grime
- Discoloration or dark spots
- Matting and flattening of fibers that make the carpets look worn or tired
- Musty or unpleasant odors due to mold, mildew, or bacterial growth
- Worsening allergies or respiratory problems due to trapped allergens like dust mites, pollen, and pet dander. Scientific evidence also suggests carpet use is linked to higher levels of indoor dust, and consequently health issues like irritation and asthma.
- Stubborn stains and spots due to coffee, ink, or grease stains that are much tougher to remove
The Bottomline
Don’t restrict yourself to a rigid cleaning schedule. Instead, look out for signs your commercial carpet is looking worse for wear by the day.
Proactively monitor carpets for any visible signs of buildup, dander, discolored areas, matting, and the other signs discussed in this guide. Tailor the cleaning to your commercial space’s location, carpet type/material, and level of foot traffic. When in doubt, you can always turn to a commercial cleaning company that offers carpet cleaning as part of its services.