You may generally reserve cleaning your carpet for when there are visible stains, or after a few months have gone by between cleanings. But during an outbreak such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, you may be wondering if you need to be cleaning your carpet differently or more thoroughly.
The answer is yes—the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend disinfection of surfaces to be the best way to prevent and control the spread of coronavirus and other similar illnesses. That includes high-touch surfaces in your home like doorknobs, countertops and appliances, but also applies to high-traffic areas like your carpet, which can also hold onto bacteria, viruses and other germs.
But where do you start when you’re not used to having to sanitize your carpet and rugs? We’ve got a few tips and tricks to help you out.
How to Sanitize Your Carpet
Always start with vacuuming your carpet or rugs before you disinfect them. Move your furniture out of the room you’re working in if possible to be able to clean the entire floor area. Once you’ve spent time vacuuming the dirt, dander and allergens out of your carpet, you can apply a disinfecting carpet solution or with soap and water. Using a steam cleaner is also recommended for the most thorough cleaning.
When choosing a product to clean your carpet, make sure you’re using something that is EPA-approved and geared specifically to kill viruses and germs. A good rule of thumb for the amount of times you should clean and disinfect your carpet is twice a year at minimum, and if you believe someone in your home has been exposed to an illness-causing virus or bacteria, disinfecting the carpets and rugs in your home immediately are the best bet for curbing further spread.
Ways to Keep Your Carpet Clean Longer
After you sanitize and disinfect your carpet, it’s important to know what steps you can take to keep from having to clean it as often. Here are a few tips for keeping your carpet and rugs cleaner longer:
Use washable mats both inside and outside entryways to your home. This way, extra dirt and bacteria can be wiped off before anyone enters the house. - Vacuum the carpets, rugs and other flooring in your home on a weekly basis. This helps to get rid of allergens, dirt and bacteria.
- Make it a policy not to wear shoes inside the house. Set up a shoe rack next to the front door or have everyone put their shoes away when they enter the house.
- Bathe your pets often to keep dirt and dander at bay.
Have a Professional Clean and Disinfect Your Carpet
If you aren’t sure if you have the time or patience to clean your carpet by yourself, schedule a professional
carpet cleaning service to help. At The Carpet Cleaning Company, we already have the tools and cleaning products for the job. Our method uses a Fresh Lemon cleaner to cleanse and sanitize your carpet, ridding it of bacteria, viruses and germs and leaving behind a clean, fresh scent. And the best part is, most carpets dry between 2-3 hours!
We’re also dedicated to the safety of our employees and clients. Our technicians wear face masks and social distance during appointments. We are also offering contactless rug pickup, delivery and payment upon customer request. If you have any questions about the process or how we can help you keep your home clean and free of germs, give us a call! We’re ready to assist you. 770-887-4359
