Most soft furnishings give a clear heads-up when the time is ripe for a cleaning session.
On the other hand, carpets and curtains aren’t the best communicators. The bread crumbs on your carpet may be a clear sign you should put your vacuum cleaner to work. But your carpet will not be as vocal regarding pollutants and grime.
Curtains are similar, perhaps even trickier. But just because it’s sometimes impossible to see with your naked eye that they need some TLC doesn’t mean they’re not hiding any unwanted surprises. So, don’t make the mistake of leaving your carpets and curtains far too long without their necessary periodic cleaning.
With that said, how often should you clean your carpets and curtains at home? Spoiler alert: there isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer to this question.
How often should you clean your carpets at home?
That beautiful new carpet you got undoubtedly adds to the interior design of your home. However, all bets are off when your kid walks in from the backyard and adds to that same beautiful carpet by dragging the outdoors indoors. Carpets are high-traffic areas, and it’s tough to keep them spick-and-span at all times without maintaining a consistent deep-cleaning regimen.
But, it’s like we already mentioned: every household is different, so a single universal answer to how often you should clean your carpets will not help because there isn’t one. Your carpet cleaning demands will vary depending on a few things:
If you have kids
Kiddos and carpets. This requires no further explanation for those of you who are parents.
The two share a special bond that no “no-shoes” policy declaration can break. They will spill their juice, drop a permanent marker right on the tip, and drag their sticky hands all over your carpet – you can be sure of that. So, what does this mean for your carpet cleaning schedule?
In a nutshell, it means you need to step up your game – if there are any spills or messes, clean them straight away (not with water, of course), vacuum at least every few days, if not every day, and shampoo or steam clean every six months or so. Finally, consider having a professional carpet cleaning service come in at least once a year for deeper cleaning.
If you have pets
There’s yet another recipe for disaster: pets and carpets. Muddy prints and accidents are something that kids and pets have in common, but at least your human children don’t shed. If you have furry companions, it can mean only one thing – a dirty carpet!
You’ll want to vacuum anywhere from two times a week to daily. Next, you’ll want to clean your carpets with a steam cleaner every three to six months.
And if any accidents occur, make sure to address them instantly to avoid lingering odours. To be sure, give professional carpet cleaners a call every six months.
Also, long-term storage is good in some situations. For example, if your pet isn’t potty trained, it’s best to roll up your expensive carpets until you’re sure that accidents are under control.
Other variants
But kids and pets aren’t the only ones who will dictate your carpet cleaning schedule. So, how often should you clean your carpeting if:
How often should you clean your curtains at home?
People seldom forget to wash the carpets and upholstery or wipe down the walls when starting a deep clean.
They do, however, often tend to neglect the curtains. How so? Well, most aren’t sure whether their curtains should be washed, and some don’t know how or how often.
First, check the instructions
Your curtains may look spotless. But the dust, debris, and odours are there. Before everything else, make sure to check the care instructions to learn whether your curtains should be washed or dry-cleaned.
Vacuum your curtains weekly
Sinus issues and allergies don’t go well with dusty curtains. Once a week, take your curtains outside and give them a proper shake to get rid of the build-up. And, just in case, wear a mask while you do it. You can use the carpet attachment on the vacuum cleaner to get a more nitty-gritty clean.
Spritz on some antibacterial curtain cleaner weekly
Spritzing some antibacterial cleaner once a week will not only wipe bacteria away but also leave an oh-so-lovely scent behind. These come particularly handy when you have smokers in the house – another critical factor that dictates how often you should clean your curtains. Make sure to pick the right cleaner, though, if you wish to avoid staining or permanently washing the colour off.
Steam often
A good steam cleaner is the ultimate game-changer. If you wish to save yourself the hassle of having your curtains professionally cleaned, you can count on these guys to keep them in tip-top condition. The best part? You don’t even have to go through the trouble of taking them down.
Wash or dry clean your curtains every 2-4 months
You can tackle the task yourself if your curtains are fully machine-washable – and most of them are. Pick a nice summer day to give them a gentle whirl and let them air dry outside. Finally, while they are still a little damp, gently hang them with your iron to avoid creasing. If your curtains are made of silk, linen, or other sensitive materials, look into dry cleaning options instead!
Spot clean when necessary
Sometimes, you cannot know how frequently your curtains should be washed simply because there are things you can’t plan for. Spots and stains happen without notice – it is only when you discover them that you can treat them.
In essence, no household is the same, and the same goes for the cleaning criteria, demands, and schedules. So, hopefully, going into detail about how often you should clean your carpets and curtains at home can help you draft a plan for your own situation.