-
Step 1
Watch for spots. Large spots or several small spots on carpet indicate it's time for a deep cleaning. Even if they look close to the color of the carpet, they indicate that stains have set in. Deep cleaning the fibers can lift at least part of these stains out and hopefully undo the damage from the spots.
-
Step 2
Lift the furniture. Under the furniture, carpet is untouched by dirt and dust. Lift up an edge of a couch or chair that hasn't moved in a while, and compare the carpet underneath to the carpet in the middle of the room. If there's a difference, it's time to get the carpet cleaned.
-
Step 3
Check for traffic lines. Turn on an overhead light in a high-traffic hallway or room. Look for a line down the center where people commonly walk. If there is a dark line, it's time to clean the carpet. Those traffic lines are the result of dirty shoes constantly going across the floor.
-
Step 4
Look at the calendar. Most carpets need cleaning every six months. Houses that have barely any traffic can go a year; houses with extremely high traffic may need carpet cleaning every few months. Try six months, and if the carpet was really dirty, go for a more frequent schedule. If it didn't change anything, wait longer next time.
-
Step 5
Note allergy problems. Dirty carpet not only looks bad but also causes health problems. Allergy and asthma sufferers are particularly sensitive to dust, pollen and dirt in carpets. If someone in the house suffers from asthma or allergies, watch for an increase in symptoms. It's time to clean the carpet if sneezing or wheezing start.
