How Often to Shampoo Carpet With Pets | The Whys, Whens and Hows For Pet Owners

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Although people love their pets, it’s still a nuisance how much fur they leave around. The dirt makes frequent carpet cleaning with shampoo necessary. If you have a pet that sheds a great deal of hair, it can make a big difference in how often you’ll need to shampoo carpets with pets. Some homes with furry friends may need to shampoo their carpets as frequently as once a month or even more often.

However, can you use any cleaner when shampooing the carpet with pets in mind? The answer is no. You need to keep a few things in mind when shampooing a rug in a pet home.

Keep reading to find out more.

Colorful dog on a carpet

How Can I Shampoo My Carpets With Pets?

Professional carpet cleaning is the best way to clean your carpets when you have pets. A professional will use a truck-mounted steam cleaner to remove all pet hair, dirt, and dander from your carpets. If you choose to clean carpets yourself, be sure to use a good-quality vacuum cleaner with a high-powered motor and a dustbin that’s easy to empty. Also, ensure the shampoo that you use isn’t going to cause damage or dull the appearance of your carpets.

When to Clean the Carpet

If you have pets who often come in from outside and track dirt onto the carpet, it’s essential to remove those muddy paw prints as soon as they happen. You can clean them up with a wet towel or a mop. If you wait until the dirt has had a chance to settle in, removing the stain will be more challenging. Similarly, if there’s an accident on the carpet, it’s essential to clean it up as soon as possible. Blot the area with a dry cloth to remove as much of the fluid as possible, and then treat it with a solution made from two cups of cool water and one tablespoon of white vinegar. Allow this to sit for five minutes and then blot the area again to remove any solution traces.

When you’re using shampoo on carpets that get heavy traffic, such as in the foyer or living room, it’s essential to clean them thoroughly and as often as necessary. If you have dark-colored carpeting, it may be more difficult to notice if there are still traces of dirt on the carpet after cleaning. As such, you might want to choose a shampoo that has some color-brightening properties so that your carpets will look fresh and clean. If you have children or pets, choosing a shampoo with stain-removing properties is especially important.

Spraying on a carpet next to a cat

Can You Shampoo Your Carpets Too Much?

While regularly cleaning carpets is essential, you don’t want to overdo it. Shampooing your carpets too often can damage them and make them look dull and faded. 

As a general rule, you should shampoo your carpets no more than twice a year or once every six months. If you have any questions about how often you need to shampoo your carpets, be sure to contact a professional carpet cleaning company.

They’ll be able to provide you with more specific advice and guidelines on how to care for your carpets properly.

Is It Okay to Shampoo the Carpet Every Week?

The answer to this question is a resounding NO !!!

Shampooing your carpet too often can impact its life negatively, as well as be hard on your wallet. Think about it: every time you shampoo the carpet, you’re stripping out all of those dirt and grime-fighting properties that keep it looking good for longer. 

If you have pets, you’re going to need to shampoo the carpet more often than if you don’t, but even then, it’s best to stick to a once-every-six-month schedule. For everyone else, that means every eight to twelve months – unless there’s a significant spill or another event that necessitates more frequent attention.

shampooing the carpetWhy Should Pet Owners Clean Their Carpets?

Not only is it unsightly to have pet hair, dirt, and dander all over your carpets, but it can also be a health hazard. Pet hair can clog up your vacuum cleaner, making it difficult to clean your carpets thoroughly. Dirt and dust mites love pet dander and can cause asthma and other respiratory problems in people who are allergic to them.

When to Call a Professional

If you have filthy carpeting, or if there’s a significant spill that will need to be attended to before it sets in, call a professional carpet cleaner. A professional cleaning will make sure that your carpets are looking good as new again, with little work on your part. 

Be diligent about cleaning spills and spots for the rest of the time, but know that you don’t need to shampoo the carpet every month or even every six months. If it’s getting long in the tooth and needs a good cleaning, stick to your routine; otherwise, let it be.

How to Shampoo a Carpet With Pets

Before shampooing your carpet, make sure it has enough time to dry. You can tell that it’s dry when the color of the carpeting is one or two shades lighter than its usual tone. If you live in a humid area, this process may take longer. When you’re ready to begin cleaning your carpet, start by:

  • Removing all items on the floor. To do this, you’ll have to lift them up and then run a sheet or towel underneath them so that they don’t fall over.
  • Move any furniture that isn’t solid wood or metal at least three feet away from the wall. Next, you should use your vacuum cleaner to remove any pet hair on the carpet’s surface.
  • If there are areas where the pet hair is particularly thick, use a rubber-bristle brush to get it out.
  • Now it’s time to mix your shampoo. Follow the instructions on the bottle, and be sure to test it in an inconspicuous area first to ensure that it won’t damage the carpeting. 
  • When you’re ready, apply the shampoo to the carpet and use a brush or your hands to work it in. Don’t forget to get into all of the nooks and crannies. 
  •  Let the shampoo sit for about 15 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water.

Use a wet/dry vacuum to suck up all the water. If you don’t have one, use a towel to soak up as much moisture as possible. Finally, place the furniture back in its original place and let the carpeting dry completely before walking on it.

Brown puppy on a carpet

How Do You Keep Your Carpet Clean if You Have Pets?

You know that keeping your carpets clean is more of a challenge. Pets love to run around on the carpeting, and often, they’ll end up with muddy paws or some other kind of mess on their fur after coming in from outside. It’s essential to remove these things as soon as possible, so they don’t have a chance to settle in and become harder to clean.

In addition, you’ll need to shampoo your carpets more often if you have pets than if you don’t. Pets tend to leave behind more dirt and grime than people do, so staying on top of the cleaning process is crucial. Choose a shampoo that has stain-fighting properties, and be sure to treat any areas that seem to be magnets for pet messes.

How Often Should I Steam Clean My Carpet With Pets?

There’s no easy answer to this question, as it depends on how many pets you have. If your carpets are looking a little shabby or if there are already stains set in that won’t come out with ordinary shampooing, then it might be time for deep cleaning. Although you can rent professional cleaners from the store and do it yourself with a shampooer, steaming the carpeting is a much more thorough way of getting things clean.

Consider your budget and what you can handle over time when deciding how often to schedule a steam cleaning for your carpets with pets. If you have very young children who are more likely to get up and eat or drink on the carpet at any time, you’ll need to clean it more often because of stains. Every six months is a good standard for steam cleaning their carpet with pets for most people.

Steam cleaning the carpet

Vacuuming Carpet With Pets

We recommend vacuuming your carpet as a great way to get rid of pet hair. It would be best if you did it before shampooing. However, many people don’t realize that over-vacuuming can damage particular carpets and cause them to wear out sooner than they should. Regular vacuuming is key to keeping your carpets looking good and lasting longer, but be sure not to vacuum too often.

In addition, make sure to use a vacuum cleaner for pets with good suction power. It will help remove all pet hair from the carpeting and keep it looking new. If you have trouble getting all of the pet hair off of the carpeting, use a rubber-bristle brush to get out anything that might be stuck in the fibers.

Conclusion

It’s essential to shampoo them regularly. If you have kids and pets, it’s best to shampoo your carpeting at least once a month. However, if you live in a humid area or only have indoor pets, every six months is probably ideal.

Vacuuming regularly can help keep pet hair from building up on your carpets as well; most people recommend cleaning every day for carpets with pets. When shampooing, be sure to test the shampoo in an inconspicuous area first and to rinse it off thoroughly when you’re finished. Finally, move any furniture in the way and let the carpeting dry completely before walking on it.

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