Hey there! If you’re responsible for facilities management, you know how important it is to keep your commercial carpets looking pristine. After all, filthy carpets can be a huge turnoff for customers and employees.
The problem is, carpets get heavy foot traffic day in and day out. All that activity leads to so much grime building up in the fibers – we’re talking dirt, dust, stains, allergens, and even bacteria!
Luckily, professional carpet cleaners are here to help. In this guide, we’ll give you a deep dive into everything involved with professional carpet cleaning for businesses and facilities.
An Introduction to Commercial Carpet Cleaning
Before you get into the nitty gritty details,you must start with the basics. What exactly is commercial carpet cleaning? In a nutshell, it’s a professional cleaning service that deep cleans the carpets in offices, retail stores, hotels, schools, churches, medical facilities, and any other places of business.
It is a highly specialized part of general office cleaning, but is necessary due to hygiene maintenance and the health of your staff.
While you can rent equipment and clean office carpets yourself, nothing compares to hiring a professional carpet cleaning company. They have the skills, tools, and experience to do a much more thorough job without damaging the carpets.
Costs and Pricing for Commercial Carpet Cleaning
Naturally, one of the first things on your mind is probably, “How much does commercial carpet cleaning cost on average?” Contact a company like Summit Facility Services Carpet Cleaning for a custom quote based on your unique situation. Their team will assess your facility and recommend the best cleaning options.
The prices can vary quite a bit based on several factors:
The Type of Carpet Material
Carpeting made of natural wool fibers generally costs more to clean than synthetic materials like nylon or polyester. The dense, plush piles of wool carpets require extra work to get them fully clean.
On the flip side, short nap carpets made of olefin or polypropylene clean up quicker since dirt doesn’t get as deep into the tightly woven fibers. Loop pile commercial carpeting is easier to clean than cut pile styles, too.
Location of the Carpet
If the carpet is easily accessible on the ground floor, that’s simpler than cleaning carpets that require carrying heavy equipment up flights of stairs or into hard-to-reach areas. The amount of work to haul gear around factors into pricing.
Frequency of Professional Cleanings
When carpets get cleaned often, the dirt doesn’t have as much time to get ground in deeply. So more frequent professional cleanings (once per year at a minimum) means each cleaning will be faster and easier compared to filthy carpets that haven’t been touched in years.
Total Square Footage
Larger commercial spaces equal more time and materials to clean all that carpeting. The industry standard is to price carpet cleaning jobs by the total number of square feet being cleaned.
As you can see, carpet cleaning costs can vary based on the specifics of your commercial facility and when the carpets were last professionally cleaned.
Training and Certifications for Commercial Carpet Cleaning
To really excel at commercial carpet cleaning – and command higher prices – it pays to get professional training and certification. As the world changes, employers need to stay ahead of health and safety in the workplace.
Here are some top options:
- IICRC courses – The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification is the gold standard for carpet cleaning instruction. Take their Carpet Cleaning Technician class to learn industry best practices.
- Hands-on training – Find local carpet cleaning companies willing to let you shadow their technicians to gain invaluable experience. Complement any course with real-world knowledge.
- Online training – TMF Academy and vendors like Jon-Don offer online carpet cleaning courses for about $200 to $300. These are easy and affordable ways to pick up new skills.
Pro Tip: Many commercial clients will only hire carpet cleaners who have IICRC certification because it ensures quality work. Getting certified can be a key factor in succeeding with commercial accounts.
The Carpet Cleaning Process Step-by-Step
Special equipment and commercial-grade cleaners are used to sanitize carpets by lifting up grime from deep inside the fibers. This removes the vast majority of dirt, stains, bacteria, pollen, dust mites, and other carpet allergens that have become lodged in the fibers over time. The result is carpets that look dramatically cleaner, last longer, and contribute to healthier indoor air quality. Pretty cool, huh?
Here’s an inside look at what the carpet cleaning process entails:
1. Evaluate and Vacuum
- Examine carpeted areas for any large stains, high traffic zones, or heavily soiled spots
- Vacuum thoroughly using a commercial-grade cleaner with strong suction
2. Pre-Treat Stains
- Spot treat any visible stains with a targeted stain remover and scrub brush
- Allow to dwell for 5-10 minutes so cleaners have time to work
3. Deep Clean with Hot Water Extraction
- Truck-mounted steam cleaners pump heated cleaning solutions deep into carpets
- Powerful suction immediately extracts the dirty solution, lifting dirt and stains out
- Repeat cleaning passes ensure max soil removal from heavy traffic areas
4. Apply Protectants as Needed
- Use pH-neutral solutions to deodorize carpets after cleaning
- Apply antimicrobial treatments to help resist future soiling and bacteria
5. Speed Dry Carpets
- Use high-powered fans and air movers to dry carpets within 1-2 hours
- Reduce time carpets stay wet to avoid mold or mildew growth
6. Provide Ongoing Maintenance Tips
- Recommend vacuuming high traffic areas 2-3x per week
- Have carpets professionally cleaned at least once per year
- Immediately treat any new stains to prevent permanent setting
And voila – fresh, clean, and healthy carpets! Pretty cool seeing the process broken down like that.
Why Hire Professional Carpet Cleaners?
At this point, you may be wondering why bother hiring pro carpet cleaners? Is renting a steam cleaner and DIY’ing it a better option?
There are some compelling reasons to leave it to the industry experts instead:
Remove Tough, Set-In Stains
DIY cleaners can only do so much for stains that have soaked deep into carpet fibers. Powerful truck-mounted systems penetrate further to lift even embedded stains.
Maintain Carpets Properly
Only hot water extraction cleans carpets thoroughly from the base of the fibers up. This removes the most dirt to keep carpets in top shape.
Extend Lifespan of Carpets
Getting carpets professionally cleaned every 12-18 months keeps them looking new longer before needing replacement.
Improve Appearance of Interiors
Carpets get dingy over time. Professional cleaning restores vibrance and gives rooms a polished look.
Create a Healthier Environment
Deep cleaning sanitizes carpets by removing dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, and other irritants from indoor air.
Avoid Damaging Carpets
Improper DIY cleaning can lead to browning, shrinkage, and water damage. Professionals know how to properly clean carpets. As you can see, commercial carpet cleaning services offer huge benefits compared to tackling it alone with rental equipment. Their expertise delivers dramatically better outcomes.
The Wrap
Well there you have it – everything you could want to know about commercial carpet cleaning for your business or organization. As you can tell, this is a specialized service that requires the right equipment, training, and methods to do safely, effectively, and deliver great results.
Professional services spend decades perfecting their carpet cleaning process to keep commercial facilities clean and healthy. Their IICRC certified technicians can make your stained, matted carpets look good as new again. And today, they even offer green carpet cleaning options with non-toxic, eco-friendly cleaners.
