How Often Should Carpets Be Cleaned During Winter?

Cleaning carpets in the winter can feel like an endless losing battle. All the slush and snow from endless foot traffic can seem insurmountable, but regardless of how Goliathan this task may look, it needs to get done. Soaked, filthy carpets can begin to mould, leaving your commercial space smelling somewhere between a wet dog and a compost bin. On top of that, muddy footsteps make your entire office look unprofessional while sidewalk salts can permanently stain your carpets if they aren’t cleaned within a day or two. So how often should business owners have the carpets cleaned in their office?

It may surprise you to learn that there isn’t really a set carpet cleaning schedule that works for every office. There are simply too many variables at play. After all, every work environment is different. Factors, such as the amount of foot traffic, the amount of snow in a given week, and even the colour and texture of your carpet are all going to be considerations. Additionally, measures like providing shoe covers or sandals, so that snow is contained to the entry, will help to greatly limit the mess throughout your office. 

Vacuuming. For your average office, we recommend vacuuming nightly. Ideally, you will be able to work with a commercial cleaning team that has powerful vacuums that are able to keep up with the dirt and muck that comes with Calgary’s freeze-thaw winter cycle. If not, one of your employees will need to be assigned to vacuuming duty, and your business will need to invest in its own heavy-duty vacuum. If your office doesn’t typically see much foot traffic (or foot traffic has been greatly reduced because of COVID-19), you should ideally still aim to vacuum at least two or three times a week.

Spot Cleaning. When it comes to stains from mud or salt, they should ideally be treated immediately. This is a great task for your building’s day porter, but if you aren’t yet working with a commercial Calgary cleaner, ensure one of your administrators (or someone else who is commonly in the entryway) is able to keep an eye on your lobby’s cleanliness and fight any stains immediately. If one of your internal staff members is responsible for spot cleaning, ensure a stain removal kit is conveniently available to them and remains well-stocked.

Professional Deep Clean. A deep cleaning is a vital part of maintaining the professional image of your office and workspace. Neglected carpets are ugly and smelly. Fortunately, most businesses won’t need a professional deep carpet cleaning regularly. For businesses with only light to moderate foot traffic, every six months is plenty. We recommend scheduling your carpet cleanings for May and November, so you can go into the worst of winter and the start of spring with fresh, pristine carpets. Of course, commercial spaces that see significant or very heavy foot traffic will need their carpets cleaned more often. Work with your Calgary commercial cleaner to decide whether a professional carpet deep cleaning should be scheduled quarterly or every two months in order to keep your space smelling welcoming and looking its best.

When it comes to your business’s professional image, your floors matter. Strathcona Cleaners can help ensure you’re putting your best foot forward. Call us today.