How to Clean Your Office Carpet Effectively

 

The first impression someone gets when walking into your office matters and the ongoing feeling your employees get while working matters even more.

 

A clean carpet can greatly contribute to this overall feeling. But, there’s more to clean carpets than giving you a well-sanitised space. Studies indicate that an office environment has a significant impact on the overall health and happiness of employees as well as on their critical thinking and productivity.

 

While regular sweeping and vacuuming can help, it’s also essential to engage professional office carpet and rug cleaning services on a regular basis. How can you keep your carpets clean? How often should you call for a carpet cleaner and why does it matter anyway? We’ll discuss further in this article.

 

Part I: Why Should You Get Your Office Carpets Cleaned?

 

 

Have you ever walked into your office and noticed a musty smell? Would you first think it’s the carpet? On the contrary, it’s probably one of the last things you pay attention to—yet there are plenty of things that could be living within it and causing that smell despite the regular sweeping and vacuuming.

 

READ: Here’s How to Remove Urine Smell from the Carpet

 

Below are some of the disgusting things that could be living in your office carpets.

 

What’s In Your Office Carpet?

 

Bacteria – Just because you don’t see it, doesn’t mean they’re not there—E.coli, Staph, and Salmonella to name a few. In fact, studies show that a carpet can have 4,000 times more bacteria than a toilet seat.

 

Dust & Dirt – Carpet soaks up dirt and dust like a sponge. Did you know that it can have more than four times its weight in dirt? This dirt settles deep into the carpet which no amount of sweeping or vacuuming can completely remove.

 

Hair & Shed Skin – Humans shed an average of 1.5 million skin cells every day and your office carpet serves as a catch-all for them all. Just imagine how much dead skin cells are on your carpet—add that to the strands of hair that fall off daily.

 

Bugs – Ticks, fleas, and dust mites—these are the pesky bugs that survive on your office carpets by living off the organic matter within—food, beverages, moisture, skin cells, hair, dust, pollen, etc.  They are a primary cause of allergies and can trigger other respiratory issues, too.

 

Mould & Mildew – With poor ventilation, mould and mildew can grow on the carpets—exposure to which can result in symptoms including stuffy nose, wheezing, red and itchy eyes, or irritated skin.

 

Dangerous Chemicals – Whatever floats around in the air will eventually settle on your office carpets including the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that the furniture off-gas. Other sources of VOCs include paints, varnishes, and copying/printing machines.

 

 

Your office carpet is a catch-all for dirt, dead skin cells, hair, bacteria, viruses, mould, and many other types of allergens clinging to its fibres. This illustrates the importance of cleaning your carpets regularly to maintain a sanitary environment.

 

How Can Clean Carpets Benefit Your Business?

 

A professional carpet cleaning service for your business is a great step to creating a safer work environment. But, a deep office carpet cleaning is essential not only to refresh the look of your carpets but also has plenty of other benefits for your business too.

 

A clean carpet positively impacts employee health. An average person will spend about a third of their life working. Therefore, it’s not difficult to see how the work environment in which they spend most of their time in can influence their overall health.

 

Several studies indicate that a clean working environment makes employees happier and healthier. Given that the presence of allergens and bacteria deposited in the carpet fibres is a significant factor to employee health, commercial carpet cleaning services are essential to remove these contaminants and consequently keep employees happy and healthy.

 

It boosts productivity. Happier and healthier employees equate to more productive employees. A study confirms that people are 12% more productive at work when they are in a positive environment—which consists of positive work culture and clean workspaces.

 

Small efforts like engaging office carpet cleaning services in Singapore can make a significant difference in creating a positive, clean atmosphere where employees are happy with their jobs and thus are more likely to stay. As an added benefit, when the employee turnover rate is low, you can save on the costs of hiring plus, you can keep projects moving at a steady pace.

 

It makes cleaning easier and more efficient.

 

Some businesses clean the carpets by themselves. While it may sound like a great way to save money, it’s actually the contrary because improper cleaning can damage the carpeting often due to lack of knowledge and proper cleaning products and equipment.

 

The problem can go beyond damaged carpets, though. Dirty carpets have fine abrasive particles that damage their surface over time, forcing you to replace them earlier than expected. This is a cost that could have been prevented with regular commercial carpet cleaning. Your carpets will last longer, look better, and be so much easier to clean when they are deep cleaned on a regular basis.

 

 

As easy as a task office carpet cleaning may be, it can have a significant impact on the overall health, happiness, and productivity of your employees. This is a win-win situation for you, as a positive work culture can promote collaboration and inspire creativity, thus producing favourable results for your business. Read for more reasons why carpet cleaning is good for your business.

 

Part II: Can You DIY Office Carpet Cleaning?

 

 

The benefits of engaging office carpet cleaning services is often underestimated with businesses assuming that regular sweeping and vacuuming would suffice and some others handling the task themselves.

 

While there are plenty of reasons why you shouldn’t DIY carpet cleaning, the most striking is the fact that it could cost you more than hiring a professional carpet cleaner in Singapore. A business who tries to purchase their carpet cleaning equipment and products often ends up spending more money overall than if they hired someone to do it.

 

The wages of an in-house cleaner can also be higher than the fee of a professional carpet cleaner, which you would only call at least once or twice a year. The more money you save, the less overhead expenses you have and these savings can be passed on to your clients in discounts even to your employees in incentives.

 

DIY vs. Professional: Your Options in Carpet Cleaning

 

Cleaning the office carpets yourself can be significantly cheaper, even if you have to rent a steam cleaner to do it. Steam cleaner rentals cost $25-$40 a day, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars in exchange for your time and a bit of elbow grease. However, if you go this route, you have to make sure that you do it right as there are many risks in cleaning the carpets yourself:

 

• Risk of oversaturating the carpet
• Frustrations due to difficulty in navigating small spaces
• Inability of portable cleaning machines to deep clean the carpets
• Lack of proper cleaning products and technical know-how to effectively remove impurities
• Difficulty to figure out the equipment—even with a manual

 

The Benefits of Professional Carpet Cleaning in Singapore

 

1. Knowledge & Experience: Skills and expertise are some things that professionals have over you. Their certifications to conduct carpet cleaning guarantee that they can deal with the situation faster and more effectively than you ever will, even when you use the same equipment.

 

2. Advanced Equipment: You may know how to clean a carpet. But, it’s not always enough if you don’t have the necessary products and equipment that can get deep enough to remove both the dirt and odour—these are something that office carpet cleaners in Singapore readily have.

 

3. Convenience: Cleaning the carpets by yourself takes effort and it can take you several hours to finish—and yet without the guarantee of success. With a professional carpet cleaner, you’re paying for someone to do it right for you and with the right cleaning solutions, you know the risks of damaging your carpeting is low.

 

4. Prolong Carpet Life: A professional carpet cleaning service can restore the colour of your carpet that has faded underneath the buildup of dirt and grime. But, beyond aesthetics, regular carpet cleaning can also prolong the life of your furniture as it removes any abrasive particles that can damage its surface over time.

 

5. Faster Drying Times: As said earlier, cleaning the office carpets by yourself could leave them damp for days, potentially causing a musty odour. Plus, this can also make your carpets dirtier as the moisture left in the carpets will attract more dirt. In a professional cleaning, the drying time is faster, saving you from this potential problem.

 

While the cost difference between DIY and professional carpet cleaning is significant, so are the results. When you hire a certified carpet cleaner, the end results will be more thorough than anything you can do yourself. Your usual vacuuming is great but it will never be as good as the kind of deep carpet cleaning that professional carpet cleaning in Singapore can do.

 

 

What’s Included in a Professional Carpet Cleaning in Singapore?

 

Every carpet cleaning company in Singapore is different in terms of the range of quality and services they offer. But, a standard cleaning service should include the following:

 

Pre-Treatment – Most carpet cleaning services start off with a heated pre-treatment which is used to get rid of odours and pre-clean the carpet prior to steam cleaning. It may also involve agitating the carpet to dislodge any soil particles that may be clinging to the fibres.

 

Deep Cleaning – This step is where deep-seated dirt, spills and stains, foul odours, fleas and mites, and all the other allergens, germs, and bacteria are addressed. Your professional carpet cleaner may use any or a combination of the following cleaning methods:

 

• Steam Cleaning: uses the power of steam vapours to remove dirt and grease.
• Shampooing: removes stains and odours by using carpet detergent and heavy scrubbing.
• Dry Cleaning: involves the use of specialised machines to clean carpets using no or very-low moisture.

 

Grooming – After your carpet has been deeply cleaned, a finishing touch is to groom the carpet. This should remove the marks made by the cleaning equipment, restore its colour, and allow the carpet to feel softer.

 

How Often Should You Engage in Carpet Cleaning?

 

Hiring a professional carpet cleaner in Singapore is necessary to get rid of whatever is hiding in your carpet. For best results, it is recommended to engage these services every 6-12 months at a minimum.

 

However, there are a few factors to take into account when determining the frequency of office carpet cleaning.

 

Carpet Colour – The lighter the colour, the more visible the dirt on the carpet would be. Therefore, you would want to schedule the cleaning more often.

 

Foot Traffic – For heavy traffic areas like entrances and hallways, you would want preventive cleanings at least once every month. But, for lighter traffic areas like conference rooms, twice a year should be fine.

 

Type of Commercial Space – What business are you running? The type of commercial space you have also influences the frequency of carpet cleaning you ideally require.

 

 

Clean Your Office Carpets Before They Become Visibly Dirty

 

While there is no single, easy answer as to how often you should clean your commercial carpets, the rule of thumb is to have them professionally cleaned before they become visibly dirty.

 

It can be tempting to delay carpet cleaning in an attempt to save on maintenance costs. But, this is financially short-sighted in many ways: First, while you wait for your carpets to be dirty enough for cleaning, people, including potential clients, will witness the progression from clean to dirty carpets. It goes without saying that your office should look its best all the time.

 

Second, carpet is a costly investment—it not only looks better when cleaned regularly, but also lasts longer. It makes sense to clean your office carpeting regularly to get the most out of its cost.

 

The better you look after your carpet today, the longer it will last tomorrow. So, to keep your carpet looking good and lasting long, have it professionally cleaned at regular intervals.

 

Part III: How to Maintain Your Carpets in Between Cleanings

 

 

With professional carpet cleaning, you can get your carpets looking good as new. But, while it does the job in removing deep-seated dirt, bacteria, and germs, it’s up to you and your employees to maintain your carpets in between cleaning sessions and maintain a clean and safe workplace.

 

Cleaning Tips for Longer-Lasting Office Carpets

 

1. Vacuum Regularly

 

Over time, dust and dirt build-up in your carpet. Under the pressure of regular foot traffic, these particles can act like sandpaper that can dull the surface of your carpet. Aside from compromising its appearance, it can also cause premature wear and tear, thus requiring you to replace this investment sooner than you would with proper carpet care.

 

Regular vacuuming is your best defence against this damage. By setting out how often different areas should be vacuumed, your carpet stands the best chance for prolonged life.

 

READ: Are You Vacuuming Your Carpet Properly?

 

2. Place Walk-Off Mats

 

In addition to vacuuming, a proactive approach to carpet cleaning is by placing walk-off mats at all entry points. This should limit the amount of dirt, dust, and moisture that can enter your office.

 

Invest in coarse-textured mats that can remove soil and other particles as well as in water-absorbent rugs to prevent wet shoes on the carpeting.

 

3. Clean Spills & Stains Immediately

 

Avoid permanent staining and damage to carpets by acting on spills, stains, and scuffs immediately as they happen.

 

The longer the stains stay on the carpet, the harder it will be to treat them. This is where having a trusted carpet cleaner in Singapore can be a time and money-saver by helping you treat stains on the carpet quickly, preserving its appearance for years to come.

 

Although it may seem like an additional task, the benefits of maintaining your carpet will go a long way in terms of cost-savings, aesthetic appeal, and ultimately, keeping a clean and safe environment. Don’t worry about adding carpet cleaning to your tasks, instead, let a professional carpet cleaning company in Singapore do the work for you.

 

But, exactly what should you look for in a carpet cleaning specialist?

 

Factors to Look for in a Carpet Cleaning Service

 

1. License

 

Be sure to hire legally accredited carpet cleaners in Singapore. Documents like licenses and certifications should serve as proof of their credibility and at the same time, prevent you from dealing with legal problems down the line.

 

2. Reliability

 

Which company can provide immediate services? As said earlier, it’s nice to have someone who can respond to emergency situations such as spills and stains to keep them from causing permanent damage.

 

3. Skills & Experience

 

Businesses that have been in the industry for a long time obviously have more experience in dealing with all kinds of carpets and issues. Look for a service provider that has been in business for a decent amount of time. Chances are, it has lasted so long due to great work ethic and service.

 

4. Products & Technology

 

Different products and equipment can be used to clean carpets thoroughly, each with different specifications such as low-noise, eco-friendly, and energy-saving. Find a provider that can match your preferences.

 

5. Cost-Efficiency

 

Expensive doesn’t always necessarily mean best and likewise, the cheapest is not always the most cost-effective option. This highlights the importance of doing your research to find a service that not only fits your budget but can deliver quality results as well.

 

 

The Clean Care Advantage

 

When you invest in professional carpet cleaning solutions, you invest in the things that truly matter for your business: your employees’ health, comfort, and overall happiness. We can’t stress enough how their positive disposition can boost their productivity in the workplace, which in return, can also improve your bottom line.

 

At Clean Care,  we offer professional office carpet cleaning services in Singapore to help you maintain a clean, healthy, and fresh environment.

 

 

We Protect Your Business and Your Health

 

As a licensed carpet cleaner, our services include deep cleaning and sanitation to remove stubborn stains, new spills, strong odours, fleas and dust mites, allergens, germs, and bacteria.

 

We get to the core of the problem and ensure absolute extraction of dust, dirt, and all the impurities that can be found in your carpet. Let our team support your business with our carpet cleaning solutions, get in touch with us today to learn more.