How Often Should You Clean Your Carpets?

March 19, 2025

If you’re wondering how often you should clean your carpets, you’re not alone. It’s actually one of the most common questions we hear! The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. It really depends on your home, lifestyle, and who (or what) shares that space with you — think kids, pets, allergies, and daily foot traffic.

The good news? Whether you’re dealing with heavy foot traffic, curious pets, or just everyday life, there are clear guidelines to help you decide when to tackle carpet cleaning — and when to call in the professionals for help.

Recommended Carpet Cleaning Schedule

Here’s a general guide to how often you should clean your carpets based on different home situations:

• Light-traffic homes (no pets, no kids)
  • Vacuuming: At least once a week
  • Professional carpet cleaning: Every 12 to 18 months
• Moderate-traffic homes (with kids or pets):
  • Vacuuming: 2–3 times a week
  • Professional carpet cleaning: Every 6 to 12 months
• High-traffic homes (multiple pets, kids, or allergy sufferers):
  • Vacuuming: Daily or every other day
  • Professional carpet cleaning: Every 3 to 6 months
• Special situations (spills, spots, water damage)
  • Spot clean immediately and consider calling professional carpet cleaners for deep dirt and grime

Why Regular Carpet Cleaning Matters

Carpets do more than add comfort and style to your home. They trap dust, dirt, allergens, pet dander, and bacteria. Over time, this buildup can impact your home’s air quality, cause unpleasant odors, and break down carpet fibers.

Routine carpet maintenance helps protect your investment, keeps your home looking fresh, and creates a healthier environment. Regular cleaning is especially important for families with allergies or pets.

DIY Carpet Cleaning vs. Professional Carpet Cleaning

There’s a difference between routine carpet maintenance and a deep, professional clean, and knowing when to do each can help your carpets last longer. Vacuuming and spot-cleaning are essential for everyday upkeep, but some dirt, allergens, and debris settle too deep for regular cleaning to reach. That’s where professional carpet cleaners make the difference, handling what you can’t see and leaving your floors truly refreshed.

DIY Carpet Cleaning Tips:

• Vacuum regularly to prevent dirt and dust from sinking deep into fibers
• Spot clean small marks with mild detergent or baking soda on carpet to absorb odors
• Shake out rugs and vacuum both sides when possible

But even with regular care, deep cleaning is essential to tackle what DIY methods can’t reach

Professional carpet cleaning goes beyond what DIY can handle, removing dirt, allergens, and even mold spores trapped deep in carpet fibers. It also tackles stubborn spots and odors that household products can’t fully fix. Regular deep cleaning helps extend the life of your carpets and is important for allergy sufferers, pet owners, and busy households. Even if you vacuum consistently, a professional cleaning at least once a year keeps your carpets healthier and looking better.

Signs It’s Time to Clean Your Carpets

Not sure if it’s time to deep clean your carpets? Watch for these signs:

• Lingering odors, especially from pets or spills
• Marks or discoloration that won’t come out with spot treatments
• More allergy symptoms like sneezing, congestion, or itchy eyes
• Dull, matted areas in high-traffic zones
• Dust clouds when you walk across the carpet
• It’s been more than a year since your last professional cleaning

When to Hire Professional Carpet Cleaners

If any of the signs above sound familiar, it’s probably time to call professional carpet cleaners — and that’s where Floor Pro comes in.

When to Hire Professional Carpet Cleaners

If these signs sound familiar, it’s time to call the professionals, and Floor Pro has you covered. Here’s when to skip the DIY and trust a professional carpet cleaner:

• After a spill or water damage to prevent mold growth
• Before moving into a new home for a fresh start
• Before hosting guests or events
• When pet odors or allergens just won’t go away
• As part of regular carpet maintenance to extend carpet life

Floor Pro’s expert team uses professional-grade equipment and proven techniques to deep-clean carpets and rugs, removing dirt and allergens that vacuums can’t touch.

Our team at Floor Pro uses professional-grade equipment and proven techniques to deep clean your carpets and rugs, lifting dirt, allergens, and spots that vacuums and store-bought products can’t touch.

Keep Your Carpets Clean and Fresh with Floor Pro

So, how often should you clean your carpets? The answer depends on your home’s needs, but one thing is clear: routine maintenance combined with regular professional cleanings is key to keeping carpets in great shape.

If you’re overdue for a deep carpet cleaning or if you’re unsure when your carpets were last professionally cleaned, let Floor Pro help.

Contact us today to schedule a carpet cleaning and give your home a fresh start.