Learning to Communicate with Your Cleaning Service

Posted on: 24 April 2015

When choosing a new carpet, you have so many decisions to make. Which color looks best? Do you want a shorter or longer-fibered carpet? One decision that's commonly left until the last minute and not given enough thought is whether or not you want a carpet with stain protector. Making sure you know all of the important facts about carpet stain protector will ensure you make the best decision possible in this regard.

How long will carpet stain protector last?

Stain protectors do not generally last forever. This is a coating that is applied to the outside of the carpet fibers, and it slowly becomes worn away as you walk over the carpet. The heavier traffic your carpet receives, the faster your stain guard stops working. In general, manufacturers recommend having stain guard re-applied after every annual steam cleaning session. If you use your carpet lightly, your stain guard is likely to last between annual sessions. Under heavy use, however, the stain guard may become worn down a bit before your cleaning session is scheduled, making your carpet more susceptible to stains.

Will carpet stain protector prevent all stains?

Stain guards are pretty effective at preventing stains as long as you're careful to wipe spills up soon after they occur. They work by preventing the liquid from seeping into the carpet fibers. Instead, the liquid stays on top of the carpet fibers, where you can easily blot it up. If you spill something and leave it alone for hours, however, you'll likely be left with at least a faint stain, since a small amount of the liquid may have seeped through the protector and into the carpet at this point.

Do you still need to have your carpet cleaned if it has stain protector?

In short, yes, you will still need to have your carpet cleaned about every 12 to 18 months. Stain protector may prevent liquids from absorbing into your carpet when they are spilled, but it won't keep yucky stuff like pet dander, dust and mold spores from accumulating in your carpet fibers. If these substances are not removed from the carpet regularly, they can cause premature wear, since they'll cause friction between the carpet fibers when you walk over your carpet. When you do have your carpet cleaned, you'll want to let the professional carpet cleaners, like those from Way's Floor Care And Carpet Cleaning, know it has a stain guard, so they can avoid using shampoos that might damage the stain guard.

If you want to reduce your risk of stains, a carpet protector is a great choice. Just be aware that it won't last forever, and it's not a replacement for regular carpet cleaning.