Everyone knows those old wives tales that have been passed through the grapevine for as long as we can remember. Well sometimes there is truth to them and sometimes it’s just a big, fat lie. Well, some of those old wives tales revolve around cleaning and there are few misconceptions aka myths about carpet cleaning circulating the internet these days that we would like to clear up.

Myth #1: Cleaning Will Only Shrink My Carpet
If you’re using a professional carpet cleaner, which we hope you are; they should know that unless they leave your carpet extremely wet, your carpet should not shrink. If you find your carpet is wet when the cleaner leaves, call them back immediately to have them come back out and correct their error.

Myth #2: If Your Carpet is New, You Don’t Have to Clean it For Years to Come
Inside Homes Cleaning and More recommends cleaning your carpet every 12 months even if it’s new. Most dirt stays hidden in your carpet and eventually, will act as an abrasive which will wear your carpet out early.

If you have a warranty on your brand new carpet you will want to pay close attention to the warranty details. Leading manufacturers, like Shaw Industries, will most likely include that your carpets will need to be professionally cleaned anywhere between 6-24 months in order for your specific warranty to be honored. For specifics on Shaw warranties visit their website

Myth #3: I Only Need to Clean the Carpet If It Has Been Stained
As we have mentioned above, dirt build up in your carpet is not always noticeable so It’s smart to have your carpet cleaned at least once a year by a professional—especially if you have small children and pets in the house.

Myth #4: I Have My Own Machine At Home
Home machines don’t have the suction power like professional machines so you may loosen the stain, but it may still be there with your home machine. Its best to have the professionals at Inside Homes Cleaning and More take a look at your carpet for an estimate.

Myth #5: I’ll just Use the Cheapest Cleaner Out There
“Good services don’t come cheap; cheap services don’t come good” is the age-old saying, and it still rings true to this day. Bad carpet cleaning could actually leave your carpet worse off than before.

Myth #6: Cleaning Carpeting Too Often Can Ruin It
A dirty carpet will not last nearly as long as a clean carpet. And while vacuuming helps — by itself, it’s not enough.

Myth # 7: The Only Reason to Clean Carpets is to Get Out the Dirt
Outside air contains pollen’s, fungus, bacteria, among many other pollutants. You carry these things home with you in your hair and on your clothing. It shouldn’t surprise you that most of these things will end up on your carpet.

Myth #8: Steam Cleaning Your Carpeting Will Cause Mold
Once again, if you’re dealing with a professional cleaner and he or she is steam cleaning your carpet, there is no reason for water to go behind the backing of the carpet or the pad. If the cleaner leaves your carpet extremely wet, mold can grow but a professional cleaner would know better than to leave your carpet wet.

Myth #9: Carpets Will Be Left Wet for Days
The carpet may be damp for a couple hours after the cleaning but in no way will it be wet for days.

Myth #10: Dry Cleaning Does a Better Job Than Steam Cleaning
Steam cleaning is usually the recommended cleaning method used by most carpet manufacturers because it is the most proven and effective way to clean carpet. The dry cleaning method still uses water, but it only penetrates and cleans the top surface of the carpet. Check with your carpet manufacturer for the cleaning method or ask your local carpet cleaning professional.

Contact Inside Homes Cleaning and More if you’re in need of a professional carpet cleaning company in the Pinellas County, Florida area today!