Unfortunately in this world bad news travels faster and holds more weight than good or true news.
The carpet cleaning world is no exception to that rule, with so much misinformation out there we thought it prudent to debunk some of the more popular risks.
In this blog post, we will explore 6 common myths about carpet cleaning and why they are categorically wrong.
As with any good myth, there is a shred of truth to each of them which is what makes them so believable but as you will see, they couldn’t be farther from the truth.
Table of contents: Carpet Cleaning Myths Debunked
Myth 1: carpet cleaning makes you sick
Myth 2: carpets get dirty faster
Myth 3:Cleaning carpet too much is ad for it
Myth 4: Shampooing carpets ruin the carpet
Myth 5: Carpet cleaning causes mould
Myth 6: It’s easier and cheaper to do it yourself
Myth 1: Carpet Cleaning Can Make You Sick
This myth apparently began to circulate due to the chemicals present in carpet cleaning. it’s true that if you are the carpet cleaner mixing those chemicals without PPE or consume any of the products, this can certainly make you ill.
However, what’s a complete lie is that simply using these products on your carpet and then breathing in those chemicals while the carpets are wet will make you sick.
This is completely untrue. There is no evidence of this whatsoever, professional grade carpet cleaning chemicals go through vigorous testing to ensure their safety to customers.
A simple comparison should be enough to put your minds to rest. Bleach is the most potent household item that is common around the home, it is 10x stronger and more dangerous than any carpet cleaning chemical used but we all use it freely about the house.
If you don’t mind using bleach around your home, carpet cleaning chemicals shouldn’t make you flinch in the slightest.
Myth 2: Carpets Get Dirty Faster After Cleaning
Another common myth is that carpet cleaners have somehow put built in obsolescence in their products to make the carpets get dirty faster.
This is a completely psychological phenomenon. If your carpet is freshly cleaned, then any dirt it accumulates will be spotted straight away because you are no doubt proud of the fresh new look of your carpets.
It happens in all manner of cleaning. When you’ve just cleaned your car and the next day a bird poops on it, we all get a little bit furious.
Carpets should take a long time to get dirty again but a professional carpet cleaner will also give you the option of having a stain resistant coating applied to it for an even longer lasting protection.
Another reason why people believe this is that sometimes cleaning carpets can cause wicking. This is when the dirt inside the fibers become more prominent after a clean.
However, the reason for that is thy haven’t been cleaned properly before with a proper carpet cleaning machine.
Myth 3: Cleaning Carpet Too Much Is Bad For It
If your carpet is cleaned properly, there is no way that you can damage it. Sadly this myth is built around DIY customers who would have used the wrong technique on the wrong type of carpet, or they over wetted the carpets and now they smell.
This won’t happen with a professional carpet cleaner, everything we put on your carpets is also removed. By that we mean the cleaning chemicals and the water so as not to saturate your carpets making them smell bad or feel blotchy.
People also believe this because sometimes a carpets dye can run in colour which then looks faded. Again, this is due to the wrong carpet cleaning method being used. For coloured carpets, don’t use hot water or steam and it will be fine!
Myth 4: Shampooing Carpets Ruin The Carpet
Correction: wrongly shampooing the carpets will ruin the carpet. It’s true that if you use a rug doctor which saturates your carpet and doesn’t have enough vacuum power to remove the water it puts in can indeed ruin your carpet.
However, a professional carpet cleaning company will come with much better equipment. They will also rinse the carpets to remove any lingering cleaning chemicals that may be left behind.
Rather than using a one size fits all approach, professional carpet cleaners understand that different fibers need different care. For example, wool carpets require cold water and wool safe products.
A professional wouldn’t dream of using too much water on wool because they know it could cause damage.
Yet another myth spread by people who simply didn’t use the correct techniques and then blame the method rather than the operator.
Myth 5: Carpet Cleaning Causes Mold
If you saturate the carpets, leave them without assisting in the drying process, and let them sit for a few days then yes, mold may grow. This however is not something most people would do.
If you follow the instructions on how to use a carpet cleaner and use just an ounce of common sense, this won’t happen!
It takes a flooded carpet for mould to really take hold inside your carpets, and it won’t happen overnight.
Again, a professional carpet cleaner will dry your carpets until it is only slightly damp, leaving no chance for mould and mildew to grow.
Myth 6: It’s Easier & Cheaper To Clean Carpet Yourself
We previously made an article asking the question ‘are rug doctors any good’ and the answer is pretty obvious.
It may seem cheaper to hire out a carpet cleaner that doesn’t work but then you need to take into account all of the added extras. Buying cleaning chemicals is a must and rug doctor stipulate you must use their own.
Not only that but you have to hire out floor driers separately too if you don’t want to be living in a swimming pool for a couple of days. This cost ads up, especially if you go for home delivery.
Hiring one out is also not easy with many of the machines either broken or out of stock. You may be waiting weeks for a machine to come, and even if it’s operational, it won’t clan your carpets well.
Conclusion
Professional carpet cleaning is the safest and best option for your carpets. The myths are just that – myths.
If you are unsure about any process of cleaning when it comes to your carpets, ask the professionals. They will be able to give you the right information and use the correct methods so as not to do any damage to your carpets.
