Carpet Questions: Should I Clean It or Replace It?

Let’s face it – your carpet gets a lot of abuse.  Spills, crumbs, and soil are a part of its everyday life.  And don’t forget that people literally walk all over it!  So it’s no wonder that floors do not stay looking as clean and fresh as the day they were installed.  Over the days, months, and years, changes are bound to occur – and not for the better.  And then at some point you realize that something has to be done.  Something, but what?  Should you invest in getting it professionally cleaned, maybe even repaired and stretched?  Or should you just get rid of this carpet and start anew?  Following are five questions to help you evaluate your situation.

What Do You See?  Visual appearance is probably the most obvious aspect of the decision and the one you have probably already considered.  Are there stains, wear patterns, or rips all over the carpet? Or is it one stain or a single tear that is causing you to hate your flooring?  For the latter situation, it very well may be worth a call to Langenwalter Carpet Cleaning to see if we are able to help you fix the problem.  In addition to carpet cleaning and guaranteed stain removal, we offer an array of carpet repair services as well.  In the case of multiple problems throughout a room or area, cleaning and/or repair may still be a good solution, especially if it has been a while since it was last cleaned.

What Do You Smell?  It may not be pleasant but the smell of your carpet can give you clues about what you can’t see.  Both biological material (such as pet urine) and mold can give off scents that alert you to their presence.  In the case of biological material, a professional cleaning can often remove it, but when it is left for too long, it is sometimes impossible to completely eliminate.  As far as mold goes, the best strategy is to avoid it altogether.  If you experience flooding or water damage, Langenwalter has an experienced team ready 24 hours a day to provide first-rate remediation services.  With both biological material and mold, keep in mind that once these odors are set in, replacing your carpet may be your only option.

What Is It Made Of?  In your decision, you’ll also want to give some thought to what your carpet is made of.  Carpet can be produced with different materials, and this will affect the way it wears.  Polyester fibers are generally cheaper but are not as resilient.  Carpets made with nylon usually do a better job of sustaining wear and tear.  Matted nylon carpets can often enjoy a revitalizing effect from professional cleaning.  Polyester carpets that are matted will not usually see as much improvement and may need to be replaced much sooner.

How Old Is It?  The age of your flooring is another factor to take into consideration.  The life of your carpet can vary, depending on its quality.  Most manufacturers suggest that your carpet should last around 10 years, although there are some carpets that are warranted up to 20 years.  Regular cleaning will help preserve and lengthen the life of your carpet and is actually required to keep most warranties valid.  Remember, though, that even if you have taken good care to maintain your carpets, they will not last forever.

What Is Going On In Your Life and Home?  Lastly, when you are deciding whether or not to replace your carpet, you want to consider what is happening in your life, your home, and your family.  Do you have 2 young kids who love to play in the mud and often forget to take their shoes off?  Did you just welcome a new puppy who isn’t trained yet into your home?  Are you hosting a big event that will likely mean a lot of visitors with dirty shoes tracking through your living space?  In these kinds of cases, you might want to put off replacing your carpet for a little while.  If you’re looking to just get by until the right time to get new carpet, Langenwalter can help you make what you’ve got look its best.  See our current specials.