It’s a question that every carpet owner will probably ask at some point or other: should I get my dirty carpets replaced, or will using a pro carpet cleaning company be enough to restore them to their former glory?
It’s a tricky one, as there’s no one single answer. Ultimately, a lot depends on a range of different factors unique to each carpet. However, the following should give you clues as to whether cleaning is the best option for your carpets, or whether you’ll need to fork out for new ones.
1. Age
The age of a carpet is a good indicator of whether you should get it cleaned or replaced. Experts claim that the average carpet lasts about 10-15 years, or even longer. If you have a carpet that is fast reaching its 20th birthday, and it’s starting to look consistently shabby and worn, it’s probably time to think about getting it replaced. On the other hand, if you’ve only had a carpet for five years or so, you should still be able to get more life out of it, and so getting it cleaned would be the first option to consider.
Bear in mind that when considering the age of a carpet, it’s also important to take into account where the carpet is located, and how much footfall it endures. Two carpets that were fitted at the same time in different rooms may have different rates of aging depending on how frequently they get used. For example, a carpet in a busy hallway or entrance will age faster compared to a carpet in a spare bedroom.
2. Cost
When weighing up whether to use pro carpet cleaning for your dirty carpets or to buy new ones instead, it’s also important to consider the costs. Getting your carpets cleaned is significantly cheaper than buying new ones. In many cases, you might not even need to get a carpet replaced if all it needs is a thorough deep clean from a professional company that uses high-quality cleaning technology.
If you’re unsure, it’s always worth trying the cleaning option first to see whether it will make a difference. You could be surprised at the results. At the very least, a pro carpet cleaning company will be able to use their knowledge and expertise to advise you on the best options for your carpets, and whether they’re salvageable through cleaning or not.
Another cost to consider is environmental. Getting a new carpet means your old carpet will end up dumped in the landfill, as it can’t be recycled. Cleaning a carpet and maintaining it so that you keep it for as many years as possible is a far more environmentally-friendly option. Even when you get it cleaned, a lot of cleaning companies now invest in eco-friendly equipment and don’t use harmful chemicals, making the cleaning process much ‘greener’ than ever before.
3. Stains and odours
Carpets can easily become victim to stains and stale odours, so knowing when these can be resolved or not can mean the difference between carpet cleaning and replacement. Many stains can be successfully removed from a carpet, especially if they are fresh. To get the best results possible, it’s better to use a stain removal carpet cleaning company rather than try to remove carpet stains yourself.
Stains that have been left for too long can become permanent, however, and even a professional carpet cleaning company might not be able to make them magically disappear. In which case, you might need to think about buying a new carpet.
The same thing applies to odours. Carpet odours can usually be tackled by professionals who use powerful deodorisers that can neutralise bad smells in a carpet, making them disappear. But if some odours are persistent, and keep lingering on, even after cleaning, it probably signifies that the carpet is beyond hope.
Either way, it’s always worth trying the professional cleaning route first, to see if a difference can be made to your original carpets.
4. Mould and mildew
If a carpet gets damp, mould and mildew can start to grow. You might not notice the spores at first, as they are more likely to be found near the carpet underlay. A pro carpet cleaning company can deal with mild cases of mould and mildew in a carpet, using industrial equipment such as a steam cleaning machine to destroy the mould and mildew spores and get your carpet back to a fungal-free condition.
It’s a good idea to check how the carpet will be cleaned, and what equipment will be used, and specifically how it will be dried. You won’t want the carpet to be left wet for too long in case mould and mildew starts to grow again. Low-water steam cleaning with powerful rinsing functions is the best option, as it means that most of the cleaning moisture will be removed from the carpet, so it can dry quickly, and mould or mildew won’t have the chance to develop.
However, there comes a point where mould and mildew may have taken hold in a carpet and they can’t be removed through cleaning alone. This is the time to consider getting a carpet replaced. In fact, you should do it sooner rather than later as mould and mildew exposure can be bad for your health.
Similarly, if a carpet has experienced a lot of water damage, such as from flooding, it may be beyond repair, and getting a new carpet could be the only viable solution.
5. Appearance
Take a good look at your carpets. If they simply look dull and tired, have a few spots and stains, or the textures are flattened, these issues can probably all be resolved by calling a professional deep cleaning and stain removal carpet cleaning company.
However, if a carpet has worn fabrics, bald patches, bumps, fraying, wrinkles or padding that’s thinned or is uneven, no amount of professional cleaning will make a difference to these issues. These problems suggest serious structural damage to the carpet, which indicates a new one is overdue.
6. Regular maintenance
Getting a new carpet can be a major investment, so it’s understandable that most people will want to maximise the number of years they have the carpet, before replacing it again. The best way to do this? Get it regularly cleaned by a professional company at least once per year, or more often if it’s prone to getting dirty.
Carpet Bright UK provides stain removal carpet cleaning services and professional deep cleaning for your carpets, as well as stain protection, helping to keep your carpets in A1 condition so you don’t need to think about getting them replaced.
