Carpet cleaning should be an important part of your home maintenance schedule. Many homeowners, however, have a few misconceptions about carpet cleaning that keep them from following a cleaning routine. The top four myths are dispelled below so that you can differentiate fact from fiction.

You Should Wait to Clean Your Carpet Because Clean Carpets Get Dirty Faster

When you utilize a professional carpet-cleaning service, the expert will ensure that no cleaning residue is left behind. There won't be anything attached to the carpet that attracts dirt, so it is absolutely untrue that a clean carpet gets dirty faster. In fact, the opposite is true. After you clean and remove all the dirt and debris, it will take longer to build back up, giving you a beautiful carpet to enjoy. 

Carpet Cleaning Is Expensive, So I'll Just Vacuum Frequently Instead

Vacuuming alone will not remove all of the particles that have seeped down into the carpet fibers. In addition, there are dust mites and allergens that are bad for allergy sufferers that need to be washed away. Surprisingly, in just one ounce of carpet, you can have as many as 2,000 dust mites. Scheduling a cleaning each season will significantly reduce these irritants and keep the air in your home much cleaner.

I Can Rent a Carpet-Cleaning Machine and Clean the Carpets Myself

While many home-improvement stores have carpet-cleaning machines for rent, these units are not designed with the power that professional units have. They won't be able to successfully suck up all of the soap and water that were dispersed into the carpet fibers, and that will damage the carpet. It will also take much longer for the carpet to completely dry out, and that could equal mildew growth. Hire someone who has a certification from the National Carpet Cleaners Association, as this individual will be properly trained to get your carpets looking like new. 

Hot-Water Extractions Will Damage My Carpets

Using the method of steam cleaning your carpets is one of the best ways to get your flooring spotless and free of germs. For example, the norovirus can live in carpets even after you vacuum them. The North Carolina Public Health Department reveals that steam cleaning the carpets for five minutes at a temperature of 170 degrees Fahrenheit is all it takes to kill the virus. There's also the option to steam the carpets for one minute at 212 degrees Fahrenheit. Your professional carpet cleaner will recommend the best method based on the type of carpeting you own.