How Often Should Commercial Carpets Be Cleaned?

Regular cleaning is essential to your carpet’s well-being and your company’s reputation. That’s why we’ve written this guide explaining how often should commercial carpets be cleaned.

We know the ins and outs of carpet cleaning because we have decades of experience selling cleaning equipment and supplies. We have carpet cleaners for businesses of every size. 

Whether you’re looking for a carpet spotter for spill cleanups or a self-contained carpet extractor for deep cleaning, you’ll find it at SweepScrub. We even have a carpet extractor with wand that will clean your upholstered furniture as well as your carpets. 

With a proper cleaning schedule and the right cleaning equipment, you can beautify your space and add years to your carpet’s life. We have the equipment and our team is happy to advise you on your carpet cleaning needs. Improve your carpet cleaning with SweepScrub.

The Importance of Routine Carpet Cleaning

One of the first things customers and clients see as they walk in your door is the carpet. Dirty carpets make your company look cheap and unprofessional. A clean, bright space makes your company look like a reputable firm.

Regular carpet cleaning not only keeps your carpet looking good. It's also essential for keeping your carpet in top condition. You might not see the sharp grit and ground-in dirt deep in the base of your carpet. But it wears down the fabric and padding with every step and can take years off the life of your carpet.

So, cleaning your carpets frequently is actually a form of preventive maintenance. It’s no secret that commercial carpet is expensive to replace. 

How Often Should Commercial Carpets Be Cleaned?

Most commercial spaces plan for a professional deep cleaning once or twice a year at a minimum. If your space gets a lot of traffic or has special cleaning and sterilization requirements, you will need more frequent cleaning.

In addition to deep cleaning, you should see to it that your carpets are vacuumed daily, especially in high-traffic areas. This takes care of the soil before it can get ground into the fibers. Regular vacuuming also gets rid of allergens that can interfere with client and employee health.

Clean up all spills promptly and do spot cleaning as necessary. In our guide to carpet cleaner vs extractor, we explain the importance of spot cleaning as part of carpet maintenance. 

Recommended Cleaning Schedules by Facility Type

Restaurants, hospitals, and hotels are examples of high-maintenance facilities. These carpets will need to be deep-cleaned every 1 to 3 months, with daily vacuuming and immediate treatment of any spots or stains.

Corporate offices need to be kept clean, but they don’t have as much foot traffic as retail or healthcare establishments. You should deep clean high-traffic entranceways and walkways 2-4 times a year and clean offices and less-used areas once or twice annually. 

Small professional offices or appointment-only showrooms may only need annual deep cleaning. But you will still need regular vacuuming and quick attention to any spills to keep your space looking clean and presentable.

Signs Your Carpets Are Due for a Cleaning (Even If It’s Not on the Calendar)

You need to schedule a cleaning if you notice stains that won’t come out with simple spot treatments. Also check for dark, matted-down traffic lanes in the carpet. If you can see the steps people take to your office, your rug needs an immediate deep clean.

Sometimes your nose will tell you that it’s deep cleaning time. Mold and dirt in your carpet can make your office smell musty and unpleasant. 

Factors Influencing How Often to Clean Carpets

A quiet law office will have very different needs than a busy downtown restaurant. Foot traffic, carpet color and material, and local climate all factor into determining, how often should commercial carpets be cleaned?

Foot Traffic and Carpet Placement

Entrances, reception desks, and elevator lobbies bring foot traffic into your office. Because they soak up most of the dirt, they should be deep cleaned every 1-3 months. 

Individual offices or rarely used conference rooms may only need cleaning once or twice a year. Use this information to schedule how often to clean carpets in different areas.

Type and Color of Carpet Material

Carpet color and material play a big role in determining how often should commercial carpets be cleaned. 

Lighter carpets will show spots and traffic patterns more clearly. But don't neglect darker carpets just because you can't see stains. Unseen grit and dirt can still wear out carpet fibers as people walk across the carpet. 

Most commercial carpets are made with durable synthetic fibers. Wool or other natural fibers will require more frequent cleaning and may need specialized treatment.

Seasonal Impacts and Climate Conditions

In winter snow, salt, and sand get tracked onto your carpet daily. On wet, rainy days customers and employees walk across your rug in muddy shoes and boots. 

Summertime brings more dust, pollen, and allergens. These irritants can build up in your carpet and affect your indoor air quality. 

Industry Standards and Compliance Requirements

The Carpet and Rug Institute has created a Commercial Carpet Standard for Maintenance and Cleaning (CRI 204) based on extensive research and experience. They recommend regular maintenance using vacuum cleaners and spot cleaners combined with regularly scheduled deep cleaning using a carpet extractor.   

Certain industries face strict regulations as to how often should commercial carpets be cleaned. 

For example, hospitals and clinics are bound by rigorous guidelines because carpets can be reservoirs for germs, allergens, and bacteria. 

Most commercial carpet makers expect you will have the carpet professionally deep cleaned. If you don’t keep up with their schedule, any warranty claim you might have could be denied.

Tips on Streamlining Your Commercial Carpet Cleaning Process

Here are some guidelines on how to create a streamlined plan for how often to clean carpets and how to schedule those cleaning sessions.

Hiring a Carpet Cleaner vs Cleaning Your Own Carpets

Professional carpet cleaners can provide a deep and thorough cleaning. They may be a good choice if your space has low traffic and only requires occasional deep cleans.

When you own a carpet extractor, you can take care of spills and deep cleaning immediately and without booking an appointment. This extra flexibility lets you handle issues when they happen and take charge of your carpet cleaning and maintenance.

Source the Equipment and Chemicals You Need at SweepScrub!

At SweepScrub, we specialize in providing businesses with the best commercial carpet cleaner for their facility. We only stock equipment that’s designed for powerful, efficient, and reliable performance.

In addition to top-quality carpet extractors, we also have the best commercial carpet cleaning chemicals. SweepScrub is your one-stop shop for everything you need for carpet maintenance and cleaning. 

We stock all the best brands and their most popular models, and back them up with world-class customer service from prior to the sale to long after the fact. We’re here for you, whether you need help picking a machine or troubleshooting and usage guidance.

Take the next step toward a cleaner facility – visit our online storefront now and let us equip your team with the tools they need for peak performance. 

Build a Preventative Maintenance Plan

Preventive maintenance is the most cost-effective part of every carpet care program. A good preventive maintenance plan captures dirt at the door before it gets tracked into your facility. 

Place high-quality walk-off mats inside and outside every doorway. Each mat should be long enough for at least two or three footsteps. This gives them adequate time to capture dirt and moisture from shoe bottoms. 

Work With the Seasons and Your Cleaning Crew

As we noted above, planning your cleaning around the seasons and your local climate lets you work more efficiently. 

Be sure that you train your cleaning staff or janitorial service in how often should commercial carpets be cleaned. They also need to know how to vacuum properly, how to treat fresh spills, and whom to report to when they see that the carpet needs a deeper clean. 

Wrapping Up Our Guide on How Often to Clean Carpets

Now you know how to clean commercial carpets. But proper carpet cleaning requires the right equipment and supplies, and for that you need SweepScrub. 

We have the best cleaning equipment available. And our support team is happy to answer questions about scheduling, maintenance, or equipment use.

Your company’s brand reputation can stand or fall on its carpets. Keep your company’s commercial carpeting clean the smart way – count on SweepScrub.