Regardless of all the latest trends and innovations in hard surface flooring, carpets are still one of the most preferred flooring options for many households.
Carpets seem to be a great flooring option to a touch of sophistication and warmth to the home and keep it comfortable all year round.
However, it can lose its shine over time and may look a little dull. Carpets collect dirt, dust, food scraps, stains, bug droppings, pet hair and urine, skin cells, and more.
Though this process is natural, a dirty carpet not only spoils the overall look of your home but also promotes the growth of germs and bacteria that can cause bacterial infections.
To ensure your carpet remains as beautiful and functional as other flooring options, make sure to clean it regularly.
For that, you must know about carpets in depth because there is much more to carpets than being comfortable and warm.
In this article, we’ll share some mind-blowing facts and growth statistics about carpets that will surprise you. Let’s explore what is lurking beneath your carpet!
Top 15 Carpet Cleaning Facts You Should Know
First, we’ll explore some astounding facts about carpet cleaning, including some helpful information and life-changing hacks for cleaning your carpet:
1. Carpets dominate 48% of the U.S flooring market
The flooring market in the U.S is estimated to worth $48 billion in 2022, which accounts for a 13.17% share in the global market, followed by China.
The carpets and rugs dominate 48% of the U.S flooring, with a revenue share of 40% in 2021.
2. Carpets attract and harbors germs
Your carpet unarguably adds to the beauty of your house, but it also harbors germs that could make you sick.
Although carpets act as a filter that traps pollutants such as bacteria, fungi, tar, chemicals, smoke, and other residues, when it becomes full, they can’t trap any more pollutants and must be cleaned by a professional carpet cleaner.
3. Stain-resistant carpets are Toxic
Stain-resistant carpets are impermeable to food and liquid dirt, rust, shoe polish stains, and even pet accidents, but they can contribute to several health risks, especially for kids.
Stain-resistant carpets contain fluorinated chemicals, which are especially harmful to babies and toddlers. Skin contact with them may cause rashes, itching, and skin allergies.
4. Carpets can be bad for people suffering from skin allergies
Carpets may get infested with dust mites, pollen, and other allergy-inflaming proteins that are the contributing causes of asthma and rhinitis attacks.
People who suffer from severe allergies, eczema, and rhinitis can face serious health issues due to dirty carpets. It is extremely crucial to clean carpets at least once a week.
5. Vacuum Your Carpets Frequently
O5ne of the best ways to protect your carpet from dirt, dust, and pet hair is to vacuum it frequently. We usually don’t use a vacuum, until the carpet gets too dirty.
However, the experts suggest that it is essential to vacuum your carpet at least twice a week to prevent dirt and germs build-up.
It is best to clean your carpet horizontally first and then vertically to get better results.
6. Clean Your Carpets Twice a Year
It is recommended ed to clean your carpet professionally at least twice a year, or you can rent or buy a carpet cleaning machine to clean it yourself and remove all the dirt, debris, and germs from your carpet, leaving it as good as new.
7. Moisture in the carpet results in mold and mildew
If you don’t want to hire professionals and clean your carpet yourself, don’t leave any moisture behind.
Carpet cleaning machines usually leave plenty of water behind, which can lead to the growth of mold and mildew on your carpet.
Make sure to pull all the excess water after cleaning. If you are unsure, hire a professional carpet cleaner.
8. Your carpets could nurture germs and make you sick
Carpets play a valuable role in retaining harmful air pollutants such as bacteria, pollen, fungi, chemicals, tar, cigarette smoke, and debris.
When the carpet fills up completely, it can no longer hold or contain airborne contaminants. These trapped contaminants can only be removed by professional carpet cleaning.
9. Get your carpets cleaned professionally at least once a month
Your carpet is an asset, just like the paint on your wall. Hiring a professional saves your time and extends the life of your carpet.
Professional carpet cleaners are experts in cleaning and typically use high-tech equipment to thoroughly clean carpets, which is impossible to do by yourself.
10. Bacteria can stay on your carpet for up to 4-weeks
Most people have a habit of throwing food on the carpet, and they follow the 5-second rule, which says that it is safe to eat food that has fallen on the ground as long as you pick within 5-seconds.
Unfortunately, there is no truth to this rule, as bacteria can live on your carpet for up to 4 weeks and can easily attach to your food and clothe as soon as it touches the surface.
11. Remove the stains as quickly as possible
If you notice stains on your carpet, it’s best to act quickly and remove them as soon as possible.
People often underestimate the urgency of removing such stains and save them for weekend chores, which is a big mistake that should be evaded at all costs.
Keep in mind that the longer it takes to clean, the harder it will be to remove. Therefore, do not leave the dirt unattended, and clean it as soon as you notice it. Start with blotting the stain with a paper towel, then clean.
12. Sandy soil tears the carpet
If the rug and split pile are brought close to each other and will accumulate in the rug, creating a sandbox that is difficult to enter.
Although this dirt is invisible, it wears down the carpet and upholstery every time you sit or walk on the carpet.
13. Wool carpets can smell foul after cleaning
If you have a wool carpet, you must be extra careful while cleaning it as it can smell like a wet dog.
The reason behind this is the sulfur in the wool, which smells nasty after getting wet, but don’t worry too much, as the smell will disappear once the carpet is dry.
14. It is essential to vacuum the carpet before cleaning
If you want to clean your carpet thoroughly, vacuum the carpet first before starting the wet cleaning process.
Vacuuming removes dirt, pollen, pet hair, and other impurities, making washing more effective.
If you clean the carpet directly, the dust turns into mud when it comes in contact with moisture and becomes difficult to remove.
Whether you clean the carpet yourself or hire a professional, it’s essential to vacuum the carpet first.
15. Steaming is the best carpet-cleaning technique
Steam cleaners are very effective if you want to thoroughly clean your carpet.
This superior technology removes trapped contaminants, eliminates dust mite infestation, and prevents mold growth.
Steam cleaners not only improve the appearance of your carpets but also make your home healthier.
16. Natural Products are better than commercial cleaners
There are a variety of carpet cleaners in the market, and people use them without hesitation. However, it should never be forgotten that most of these products contain harmful chemicals.
These products not only pollute the air in the room and can cause allergies, but they also damage the carpet over time. Using only natural products for carpet cleaning keeps it clean and extends its life.
Most Astounding Carpet Cleaning Statistics
1. The Carpet cleaning industry is worth $6 billion
The carpet cleaning market size in the United States increased by $1.5 billion between 2011 and 2022.
The annual revenue is projected to hit $5.9 billion by the end of 2022, with an increase of 0.5%.
The demand for the carpet cleaning service is linked to trends in per capita disposable income, consumer spending, the number of households and businesses in the United States, and corporate profit.
2. Carpets account for 51% of the total flooring market in the United States
Carpets and rugs account for 51% of the total flooring market in the United States.
A substantial portion of this industry is located in Georgia, where the top 14 manufacturers of all U.S floor coverings are located and produce carpets.
(Carpet and Rug Institute)
3. More than 29,006 carpet cleaners are currently employed in the United States
There are over 29,006 carpet cleaners employed currently in the U.S. There’s no formal education required to become a carpet cleaner, and on-the-job training is provided to the employees.
In the United States, the carpet cleaning industry is not regulated, and firms work with organizations for cleaning and restoration to be certified in the best practices of the industry.
4. 91.3% of carpet cleaners in the United States are Men
According to carpet cleaning statistics by gender, men are more likely to do carpet cleaning jobs (91.3%) compared to 8.7% of females.
The reason behind this is the pay gap. Women usually earn 90 cents for every $1 earned by men.
5. The average age of a carpet cleaner in the U.S is 49 Years old
The latest carpet cleaning statistics show that the average age of carpet cleaners is more than 40, representing 76% of the population.
20% of the carpet cleaners are between 30 to 40 years, while 10% are between 20 to 30 years.
6. 54% of Carpet cleaners have a high school diploma
The carpet cleaning statistics by gender show that the most common qualification of carpet cleaners is a high school diploma, with 54% with that degree, followed by a bachelor’s degree with 14%, and closing it off is an associate degree with 13%.
7. 62.8% of Carpet Cleaners are of white ethnicity
According to the Census Bureau data, the most common ethnicity among carpet cleaner technicians in the UnitedStates is white (62.8%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (18.2%), Black (10.7%), Asian (5.0%), unknown (1.9%), and American Indians and Alaska Natives (1.4%).
8. The average earning of a carpet cleaner is less than $35,000 per year
In the US, the average carpet cleaner makes less than $35,000 a year. The providers of services in Boston and Alaska tend to receive the most compensation, while Louisiana, Arkansas, and Texas earn less than $21,000 a year.
(Service Monster)
9. Rhode Island has the highest cost of carpet cleaning
Rhode Island has the highest cost of carpet cleaning, with an average invoice of over $403. North Dakota comes second, followed by Massachusetts, Maryland, and Vermont have average invoices above $300.
(Service Monster)
10. South Dakota has the cheapest carpet cleaning service
Home carpet cleaning services in South Dakota are among the cheapest in the U.S, with an average bill of just $194, followed by Delaware, Hawaii, Louisiana, and South Carolina, also average less than $200.
(Service Monster)
11. In 2015, 520 million pounds of carpets had to repurpose
Since its inception in 2002, Carpet America Recovery Effort (CARE) has diverted more than 4 billion pounds of post-consumer carpets from landfills across the United States.
In 2015 alone, the organization repurposed more than £520 million of carpet.
12. The average annual revenue per employee in the U.S Carpet cleaning industry is $2,000 per person
There average annual revenue per employee in the U.S cleaning industry is around $20,000 per employee. Including the carpet cleaning revenues generated within the industry, the average cleaning worker generates around $2,000 each year for the company.
(Business Wire)
13. 43 million tons of dust fall across the United States per year
More than 43 million tons of dust fall happen all across the United States each year, and indoor air receives two-thirds of it.
This amount of dust allows up to 2,000 mites to live in just 1 ounce of carpet dust. Cleaning your carpet professionally every six months can eliminate 98% of dirt, pollutants, and bacteria.
(Fact Retriever)
Daleyza knows a lot about carpets! She has worked with carpets for over 7 years and can help with things like putting them in, keeping them clean, and replacing them. She really likes carpets and spends most of her time learning about new ways to work with them. When she’s not learning about carpets, she enjoys reading books. She’s really good at helping people choose the right carpet for their homes and making sure they’re happy with it. If you want to know more about carpets, Daleyza is the person to talk to!