If you have previously moved, you may be familiar with the new home deep clean. Even a seemingly clean home or apartment may conceal dirt and grime in unexpected places, and it’s impossible to know what the previous tenants did (or did not do) to clean it. The bathrooms and kitchen will likely be at the top of your to-do list, but it is equally important to clean the carpets after moving and before settling in, especially once you realize how filthy they can get.
Carpets harbor a surprising quantity of dirt and bacteria. Unless they have been shampooed and steamed prior to your move-in, there is a high likelihood that they are harboring bacteria and fungal spores. And while you probably weren’t planning on eating off your carpet, it’s still important for your health and comfort to put carpet cleaning at the top of your post-move to-do list. Nedvask bergen
Here’s what you need to know, including why cleaning carpets after a move is so important and how to do it properly.
How soiled are carpets?
We regret to inform you, but the carpets in your new home are likely filthy.
The findings of a recently published report by HomeAdvisor about the various things hiding within a home’s carpeted floors are enough to have anyone calling their local carpet cleaners immediately.
Important results include:
The average carpet contains 30,2 times as many germs as a refrigerator door handle, 16,4 times as many germs as a cellphone, and 5.7 times as many germs as a toilet seat.
Approximately 36% of an unclean carpet is composed of human hair. The remaining 5 percent consists of skin cells, plant material, and fungal spores.
In terms of cleaning habits, the average person waits 17 days between sweeping or vacuuming common areas, giving bacteria and dirt ample time to accumulate.
A final sobering statistic reveals that the average person has not shampooed or steam-cleaned their carpets in the past 15 months. Almost certainly, your home is not as spotless as you believe it to be if you do not clean your carpets after moving.
Advantages of cleaning the carpets in your new residence
Okay, so obviously getting rid of germs, hair, skin cells, fungal spores, and all the other gross things that could be hiding in your new home’s carpets is a major benefit. However, this is not the only reason to clean the carpets after a move.
There are numerous other advantages to giving your carpets a thorough cleaning before moving in, all of which result in a cleaner and more comfortable home. Here are three major arguments, just in case you’re still not convinced.
Carpet cleaning improves airflow and quality – Given the aforementioned data, it should not come as a surprise that allergens have a high probability of residing in your carpets. This is especially true if the previous tenants smoked, had pets, or did not remove their shoes before entering. A thorough vacuuming (or, even better, a professional steam cleaning) will remove allergens and keep them out of the air, allowing you to breathe more easily.
Cleaning carpets eliminates odors – Carpet has a propensity to trap odors, which are not only unpleasant but can also make a home feel less clean overall. If you clean your carpets after moving, you can eliminate these odors and start from scratch. This is especially important if pets previously resided in the home, and especially if you have your own furry companions, as the smell of previous animals may cause post-move anxiety.
Carpet cleaning enhances the overall appearance of your space – Even without visible stains, a filthy carpet can still appear… filthy. Cleaning the carpets in your new home gives them — and you — a completely clean slate, and even older homes will appear shinier as a result.
According to The Carpet and Rug Institute, nearly half of all flooring in the United States is carpet, so it’s likely that your new home has at least some carpet. You will feel more at ease in your home much sooner if you clean it immediately rather than allowing dirt and germs to continue to accumulate.
How to clean carpets following a move
Now that you understand why carpets must be cleaned after moving, let’s discuss how.
Professionally cleaning the carpets in your entire home can cost around $600, so it makes sense to attempt this task yourself first. Here are some quick tips for cleaning your carpet yourself, as well as a few instances in which you may want to hire a professional.
Before placing furniture on your carpets, clean them.
Since you just moved, it is easier not to arrange your belongings before cleaning your carpets than to do so and then have to rearrange them. Even better, if time permits, attempt to perform a thorough cleaning, carpets included, prior to move-in day. It will save you a great deal of time and stress in the future and allow you to fully unwind when you move in permanently.
Rent a steam cleaner
Vacuuming is great, but it’s not sufficient to clean some extremely filthy carpets. For this, you will need to rent a steam cleaner, which is available for less than $100 at most home improvement stores. Ensure that your rental includes the additional materials you will need to complete the job, such as pretreatment and cleaning solutions. Keep in mind, however, that standard steam cleaner rentals are not as powerful or effective as commercial ones. If your new home has extremely worn or filthy carpets, this may not suffice.
Use a homemade deodorizer
There are a few do-it-yourself techniques for odor removal that you can use to make your carpets smell fresh. Combine one gallon of warm water and one-half cup of white vinegar in a spray bottle for the simplest method. Spray your carpets thoroughly and allow them to dry thoroughly. In a few hours, the vinegar smell and any other lingering odors should disappear. Optionally, you could add a few drops of essential oils to the mixture; however, you should research which ones are safe for pets.
Activate the windows
Ventilation is essential when cleaning your carpets, both for removing the aforementioned odors and for allowing any other cleaning solutions to dry thoroughly. It can also reduce the number of dust mites, pet dander, and other allergens that float to the ground.
When to call in the experts
It’s not cheap to hire professional carpet cleaners after a move, but it’s significantly less expensive than replacing your carpets entirely. Typically, you cannot resolve major issues on your own, such as moving into a home where a smoker previously resided or where the pets are not housetrained. You will have more time to devote to other aspects of making your house feel like a home if you invest in a professional cleaning service early on.
Maintaining your carpets’ cleanliness
If you’re going to take the time to clean carpets after a move, you might as well take the additional steps necessary to prevent buildup. Here are some fundamental carpet maintenance guidelines you can follow to prevent your carpet from becoming dirtier than your toilet seat or cell phone (yikes):
Never wear footwear inside the home. At the front door, remove your shoes and request that your guests do the same.
Wipe pet paws. Keep wipes and a towel by the door so you can immediately clean your dog’s paws after a walk.
At least twice per week, vacuum. This includes carpeting and wooden floors. Consider purchasing a robot vacuum cleaner if you’re struggling to find the time to clean.
Remove stains immediately. The longer a stain remains on your carpet, the more difficult it is to eliminate. Make a paste of a quarter cup of salt, a quarter cup of borax, and a quarter cup of white vinegar, and apply it liberally to any stains while wearing gloves. Allow the solution to sit for four hours before vacuuming it up. Nedvask bergen