Most carpet manufacturers recommend a professional hot-water extraction cleaning every 12 to 18 months, and many require it to keep the warranty valid. That's a good baseline for a quiet home. For most families, though, it's not enough.
Homes with kids or pets should plan on every 6 to 12 months. Pets bring in dirt and shed hair and dander constantly, and accidents leave residue that becomes odor over time. Kids track in more soil and spill more, and they spend more time on the floor. Regular steam cleaning keeps all of that from building up.
If someone in the house has allergies or asthma, every 6 months is worth considering. Carpet traps dust, dust mites, pollen and pet dander, which is good while it's holding them, but only a deep clean removes them. North Louisiana's long pollen season makes this especially true in spring.
High-traffic areas need more attention than the rest of the house. Entryways, hallways and the path from the back door to the kitchen wear down first, because the grit tracked in on shoes acts like sandpaper on the fibers. A traffic-lane cleaning between full cleanings keeps them from turning permanently gray.
In between, vacuum high-traffic areas two or three times a week, use mats at the doors, and deal with spills right away. And don't wait until carpet looks dirty: by the time it looks dull, the soil has been wearing the fibers for months.
Not sure what your home needs? Tell us about it and we'll recommend a schedule. Call Shiny Fabrics & J&B at (862) 406-5145, and remember: 15% off your second service with us.