Carpet is a classy yet cozy way to decorate a home. It adds a pop of color and texture to a room, breaking up the look and feel of hardwood floors and furniture. But after a while, it becomes dirty and worn out. Replacing carpet is expensive, so avoid the need to replace it by recognizing these signs that your carpet needs professional cleaning.

It Has Never Been Professionally Cleaned

You may think regular vacuuming and the occasional DIY carpet treatment is enough to keep your carpet clean. These methods work for light carpet cleaning, but your carpet also needs the regular deep-cleaning that professional cleaning services offer to tackle deeply engrained dust and dirt. A good rule of thumb is to have your carpet cleaned at least once a year. Even if it doesn’t look dirty, it’ll need it.

It’s Visibly Dirty or Stained

One of the surest signs that your carpet needs professional cleaning is if it’s covered in dirt or stains that won’t come out with regular cleaning. Children, pets, and other members of your home track in dirt, sand, and dust, especially when your home is located along the coast. These particles work their way deep into your carpet, and you can’t always remove them with normal vacuuming. Likewise, stains can be tough to remove, even with soap and water, but don’t give up stained carpet to the trash—try having it professionally cleaned first.

You Can Smell It

Is anything more repulsive than a carpet you can smell, in a bad way? Over time, carpet can acquire a bad odor due to pet accidents and the accumulation of oils from those who walk on it. Before pitching the carpeting, see whether a good cleaning fixes the issue.

It’s Affecting Your Allergies

If you suffer from allergies, you know how miserable dust and other allergens can make you feel. Though you can’t see them, dust, dust mites, pollen, and pet dander all make a home in the fibers of your carpet, aggravating allergies. You can remove these allergens with a proper cleaning, and that clean carpet will do wonders for your sinuses.

If you’ve noticed any of these signs that your carpet needs a good cleaning, it may be time to invest in professional cleaning for the carpet in your home. Depending on your needs, a variety of cleaning methods are available, including steam cleaning and dry carpet cleaning. Choosing the right method will help you prolong the life of your carpet and keep your home tidy!