7 office cleaning mistakes and how to avoid them. Quick question, reader: do you work in an office? If so, you’re likely already aware of the effect high foot traffic can have on office carpets.
When you think about it, this isn’t that strange. With people clocking in five days a week, there’s plenty of time for outdoor dirt to make its way in. Add in the office debris—such as food crumbs—and you get a grimy picture.
Want to ensure you’re taking good care of your office carpets? If so, here are seven common office carpet cleaning mistakes you should avoid.
1. Acting Too Late
First things first: carpet stains require immediate action. The quicker you’re able to clean a stain, the less time you give it to seep into the carpet.
Stains from coffee and other liquids are particularly dangerous. If you let it dry, the liquid will soak into the fibers and make its way to the padding. That can lead to odors, wicking issues, and even mold growth.
In an active environment
like an office, there’s no excuse for not dealing with stains right away. Absorb as much liquid from the stain as you can before using a cleaner. Redirect foot traffic away from the area to localize the issue.
2. Relying on Scrubbing
The first thing many of us learned about removing carpet stains is to scrub them clean. Unfortunately, this can cause more issues than it solves.
For starters, scrubbing too hard is a great way to damage carpet fibers. In many cases, you’ll untwist the fibers and cause them to fray. On top of that, scrubbing may push the stain further into the carpet.
Instead of a scrubbing action, you’ll want to use blotting. First, dab the cleaner of your choice directly onto the stain. Then, use a cloth towel or a paper towel to blot this spot until it’s dry.
When done right, blotting is the perfect method of absorbing the last of the liquid into the towel. For best results, prevent the stain from expanding. You can do that by starting at the periphery and working your way to the center.
3. Using the Wrong Products for Carpet Cleaning
There are many types of carpets out there, but they all fall into two main groups:
natural and synthetic.
Using the wrong cleaner for your type of carpet can lead to damage or discoloration. Before cleaning anything, identify your type of carpet. Then, check the label on your cleaning product to ensure it’s a good fit.
If you’re not convinced a cleaning solution is safe for your carpet, do a test run first. Find a hidden area of your carpet, then see how it reacts to the solution. That’s the best way to avoid damaging the carpet fibers.
4. Using Dangerous Products
Most carpet cleaning products on the market are very effective at what they do. For some of them, though, that effectiveness comes at a high price.
See, many chemicals for cleaning carpets used in these products produce toxic fumes. Some chemicals, like formaldehyde or naphthalene, are harmful to your office. Others are safer, but they still affect indoor air quality.
To avoid using a risky product cleaner, read its list of ingredients before buying it. Checking out the guidelines from the manufacturer can also be a helpful hint when it comes to commercial cleaners.
Another popular option is to make your carpet cleaner. You can do so with household products like baking soda, white vinegar, and salt. Baking soda, in particular, does wonders for cleaning and
deodorizing carpets.
5. Not Vacuuming Regularly is a big Carpet Cleaning Mistake
As the adage goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” Well, with office carpets, the best method of prevention is vacuuming.
Think of vacuuming as your first line of defense against grime buildup. A weekly vacuum removes loose dirt and prevents it from getting into the fibers. It also causes the fibers to straighten, giving them a cleaner look.
While vacuuming, you’ll want to use a carpet floor attachment. Most have bristled ends that can brush out any deep-seated debris. Focus on the high-traffic areas in your office, but don’t neglect the low-traffic ones.
6. Doing Too Much or Too Little
When it comes to cleaning office carpets, trying to do too much can be as harmful as doing too little.
One classic example of doing too much is renting cleaning equipment. Most rental machines will damage your carpet faster than any stain. They can also leave behind excess cleaning solution, often resulting in rapid re-soiling.
With manual cleaning, avoid the temptation to use too much of the solution. Saturating your carpet with a cleaning solution can lead to dirt buildup and damage. On top of that, it won’t make your carpet any cleaner.
Of course, doing too little comes with its own share of problems. For instance, many offices settle for using deodorizing powder
instead of a cleaner. As nice as they smell, these powders won’t do much for the carpet’s health.
7. Not Calling Professionals
Hiring a
carpet cleaning service is a lot like going to the dentist. If you do it regularly, you’ll avoid most issues that are easily preventable.
Routine cleaning can also be a factor in maintaining a carpet warranty. Many manufacturers recommend hiring a professional cleaning service every 12-18 months. The cleaning technician should also be ISSA-certified.
Of course, you may want to take advantage of professional carpet cleaning more often. After all, a large and carpeted office can take a while to clean. It will often make sense to outsource this task to professionals.
Avoid These Office Carpet Cleaning Mistakes
As you can see, the best way to keep office carpets looking good is to take carpet maintenance seriously. If you’re unsure how to do that, reread the above list of office carpet cleaning mistakes you should avoid!
Are you looking to hire a professional carpet cleaning service for your office? Our cleaning technicians at TC Services can provide any type of carpet service you need!
Contact us right here—we’ll get back to you soon.
