Residential Carpet Cleaning Frequency Chart
Did you know that according to the Institute of Inspection , Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC) you should have your carpets
cleaned  AT LEAST 1 TIME PER YEAR depending on the amount of traffic . The IICRC is a professional association that trains &
monitors cleaning technicians throughout North America.  To help you decide how often your carpets need to be cleaned,
please check the graph below from the IICRC S100 Standards. These standards provide the guidelines used by the Carpet
Industry to give your carpet the longest life possible.
What do we recommend?
There's no doubt that regular, professional cleanings benefit both you and your carpet.  Removing unwanted contaminates
from your carpet promotes a healthier indoor environment.  Properly maintaining your carpet prolongs its useful life.  We
can help you determine how often you should clean your carpets during your cleaning visit.  Here are a few tips.
  • Clean your carpet sooner rather than later.  Soil buried in your carpet acts like an abrasive,
    accelerating the wear of face yarns, and soils are much harder to remove when they've been
    ground in over an extended period of time.

  • Vacuum regularly, especially in front of exterior doors where soils can accumulate.

  • Clean up spills when they happen.

  • Use products intended for use on carpets only.  Try water or carbonated water first.  If the spot
    remains, use a host Spot Removal Kit

  • Properly performed cleaning, even frequent cleaning, does not damage your carpet nor will it
    cause your carpet to soil more quickly.

  • ALWAYS consult a professional if you have questions about the care of your carpet.
Cleaning Frequency Guidelines
from the IICRC Standard for Carpet Cleaning S001-1991


Traffic Soil
Rating
Carpet Owner/Maintainer
Professional Carpet
Cleaner/Restorer


Vacuuming

Spot Cleaning
Heavy-use
Area
Cleaning

Restorative
Cleaning


Light Soil

1 time per week

Daily or as soon as the
spots are noticed.

Traffic areas every
12-18 months

Every 2 years per
manufacturer
warranty

Normal Soil
(Families with
children, elderly)

1 to 2 times per
week

Daily or as soon as the
spots are noticed

Traffic areas every 6 to
`12 months

Annually

Heavy Soil
(Families with pets,
smoking)

2 to 4 times per
week

Daily or as soon as the
spots are noticed

Traffic area every 3 to
6 months

Semi-annually
(2 times annually)

Extreme Conditions
(large families,
multiple pets)

Daily

Daily or as soon as the
spots are noticed

Traffic lanes every 2 to
3 months

Quarterly
(4 times annually

This table is intended to serve as a guideline for recommended cleaning frequencies from a public health perspective. Originally published in a
letter from the U.S. EPA, this schedule has been adopted as part of the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification's (IICRC)
Carpet Cleaning Standard S001-1991. Complete copies of the IICRC Carpet Cleaning Standard can be obtained by calling the Institute at
360-693-5675. (From: U.S. EPA Letter, January, 1989)