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One of the largest areas in a commercial building is the floors. When the carpets are dirty, people are certain to notice. With the high amount of foot traffic they see, carpets are susceptible to accumulating large amounts of dirt in a short period of time. It may seem that keeping them clean is a never-ending chore, but the effort is worth it for many reasons.
Carpets sustain a lot of wear and tear and require regular cleaning and upkeep. Failing to thoroughly clean your carpets not only leads to an unwelcoming site for visitors (think first impressions!), but it can also affect your health. Think about everywhere your shoes have been. Now multiply that by dozens, hundreds, thousands of shoes walking in and out of your office on a regular basis. Carpets soak up everything that touches them – dirt, grime, pollen, oils, and more. While minor amounts of these agents can go unnoticed, once they build up it is hard to ignore.
Health Concerns
All the buildup of dirt and grime can impact the quality of air circulating in your office. Carpets can be a host for bacteria, microbes, and other irritants, which can make people sick. Movement of the pollutants on carpets can lead to respiratory issues such as coughing and difficulty breathing. Individuals more vulnerable to airborne toxins, such as those with asthma or a respiratory disease, can feel these symptoms even more intensely.
These pollutants also serve as irritants to those suffering from allergies. The mold and dust mites found in carpets can inflame the lungs of individuals with allergies and also cause red eyes or a runny nose. The buildup of these pollutants can easily cause an allergy attack and make someone’s day quite unpleasant. Frequent vacuuming to prevent and remove any buildup on commercial carpets will help to ensure a more pleasant visit to the office.
In the fall and winter months, your body is working especially hard to keep you healthy. This is true whether at home or in the office. Wherever you are, your body is constantly fighting off germs and toxins. If the environment you are in is unclean, your immune system kicks into overdrive to fight and keep you strong. This constant fight can wear you down and leave you susceptible to getting sick.
Keeping Carpets Clean
To maintain your carpet’s cleanliness, we recommend vacuuming daily. If the office sees a lot of daily foot traffic, consider vacuuming more frequently, if feasible. This will slow down the buildup of soil and dirt. It will also improve your indoor air quality, removing dirt, dust, and pollen from the area.
Keeping the outdoor areas of the office building as clean as possible will help as well. The cleanliness of the exterior of the building will make a big difference in the amount of dirt and debris that gets tracked indoors. If there is a maintenance crew available in your office building, find out what options there are. For instance, see if they can spray down parking lots frequently and keep the sidewalks and entrances free of debris.
Place plastic mats under desks and chairs in office environments. These mats are usually used to prevent tracks and heavy furniture marks from marring the fibers. However, they can also serve as a barrier for soil and dirt buildup, not to mention preventing stains.
Place waterproof mats in areas prone to excess dirt and liquid spills, too, to protect the carpet. Areas include by the coffer maker, the water cooler or near sinks in the breakroom. This will also allow easy wiping up of dirt or liquids, preventing stains and mold growth.
If you have a stain, contact your professional cleaning service should know how to properly care for the stain while also taking care to avoid damaging the carpet. Most potential stains, such as a coffee or soda spills, require blotting vs. rubbing or wiping. Encourage spot cleaning when the spill occurs. Your cleaning service should follow up with the appropriate cleaning solution to fully remove the stain.
How Often Should You Professionally Clean Carpets?
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, you should have your carpet professionally cleaned every 1-2 years minimally. Even if your carpet appears clean, it can be holding upwards of 10lbs of dirt and grime per one square foot – and that is with regular vacuuming!
The best time to get your carpet professionally cleaned is before the carpet becomes soiled. A soiled carpet is when there is so much dirt and grime built up in your carpet that it starts to stain. To prevent this, schedule annual carpet cleanings allowing professionals to deep clean your carpets. This will make them last longer and keep the indoor environment healthy. Carpets in an office environment are an investment and you want to get the most out of that investment.
This also prolongs the viability and appearance of your carpets. Visitors will enjoy seeing carpets that appear to be well taken care of and clean. Appearances speak volumes for a business. Nobody wants their carpet to look dingy and unwelcoming.
Cleantec aims to offer helpful information to our clients and friends. We currently serve all of New York, including the Syracuse, Ithaca, Manhattan, Rochester, Utica, and Buffalo regions. We also have operations in Palo Alto, CA; Denver, CO; Muscle Shoals, AL; Tampa, FL; and Sanford, NC. Give our sales professionals a call at (877) 469-0543 for a free consultation and quote regarding janitorial services. Learn how we can help your business achieve your cleaning needs.
Cleantec ensures all staff members are thoroughly vetted conducting background checks and drug testing. In addition to providing professional cleaning services, we are also a supplier of specialized cleaning products and green chemicals. Please call (315) 463-5353 to place an order.
