​So, why are carpet cleaning drying times so important? If your not sure, then you will find your answers here! For many years carpet cleaning companies have touted faster drying times when using their service. It’s better for your carpet…so they say! But why? Let’s talk about it!
Before we go any further, let’s just clarify whether this (kinda myth) is true or not. The answer is YES! Faster drying times are better for your carpet and your health! So we don’t muddy the waters, we’re going to keep this as simple as possible. From the infancy of the carpet cleaning industry, companies large and small have been trying to find the perfect drying time for (steam cleaning) or hot water extraction method. In the beginning, no one really knew how long the drying process was supposed to take! Not Knowing, led to companies such as us to help answer this question with accurate results. 
Here’s why fast drying times are important (in our opinion, studies, research & data collected)

Don’t let dust bunnies and dirt balls rule your carpets. House cleaners reveal the most productive way to clean floors in your house.Tromped on daily while subjected to life’s spills and stains, carpet can quickly become unsightly. 
The trick to carpet cleaning and maintaining its appearance is to take the time to vacuum on a regular basis. 

Choosing the best vacuum
cleanerHouse cleaning experts dished the dirt on the best ways to keep floors cleaning, saying the first step is to choose the right vacuum.
“I endorse vacuums with HEPA filters to remove allergens,” says Kevin Wagnon, owner of My Sweet House Cleaning  in North Charleston, South Carolina. “I choose vacuums with long hoses to go under sofas, beds and other furniture, and also to reach into ceiling corners to remove spider webs and dust from tops of doors.”
Finding the right vacuum attachmentsIt's also important to choose a vacuum cleaner that’s light with detachable hoses and attachments that come out with a push of a button.
You might also want to consider keeping a vacuum on every level of the house for convenience.

Declutter before vacuuming
But before you use that perfect vacuum, do a quick walk-through and pick up anything on the floor. 
“Set yourself up for success by making sure the floors that you’re about to clean are clear of clutter,” says Kim Condon, vice president of Godsend Cleaning in Lynchburg, Virginia. “That way, when you’re vacuuming, you’re not constantly bending over and picking up items to get them out of your way.”

Vacuuming from the outside in
The secret to a professional-looking carpet cleaning is in the approach: Begin by vacuuming the perimeter of the room with the edging tool. Then, start at the far corner and move backward, vacuuming yourself out of the room so you don’t leave footprints behind. 

“When vacuuming, move the machine slowly over the carpet,” 
says Ray Smith, owner of Green Genius Cleaning Services in Clermont, Florida. “Slow and steady will gather more dirt than several quick passes. Keep the vacuum close to your body, so you’re not overstretching. For best results, vacuum once a week and more often if you have pets or children.”

Once you've found the best flooring for your needs, follow these carpet cleaning and maintenance tips to keep it looking new.Purchasing new carpet for your home is one of the larger investments you will make in your home’s upkeep, and it's important to find the right flooring to suit your needs.
These decisions are generally based on decor as well as functionality.
Once you've decided on a carpet, you need to make sure you take the follow through with proper carpet cleaning and maintenance to keep it looking great for years to come.
Here's how to make your carpet last longer and keep it looking like new:

1. Vacuum
The most important step you can take for the longevity of your carpet is vacuuming. Sand, soil and outdoor pollutants are carried into your home and collect on the fibers of the carpet. 
With regular traffic, these react similar to sandpaper on the bottom of your shoes and can damage the fibers. The fibers are left looking dull and worn. 
A large portion of the soiling on carpet is dry insoluble and is best removed by using a vacuum cleaner. A good guide to vacuum frequency is to vacuum once a week for every person and pet in the home. A minimum of three times a week for two or less occupants may be recommended.

Related Article
What's the Best Way to Vacuum? Don’t let dust bunnies and dirt balls rule your carpets. House cleaners reveal the most productive way to clean floors in your house.

2. Immediate stain removal
Quick removal of spills and stains is also very important. The longer a spill is allowed to sit on a carpet, the harder it is to remove. Water and blotting the stain with a clean white towel should always be your first defense when trying to remove stains. 
If water alone isn't working, you can add a small amount of mild dish detergent to break the surface tension of the water. Beyond that, you should refer to a professional. Using a harsher detergent (high pH) can set a stain, making it impossible to remove. 

Related Article
Carpet Cleaning Tips for Stubborn StainsNeed help with carpet cleaning and stain removal? Here's how to get out everything from bleach to chocolate, blood and red wine.

3. Regular carpet cleaning
Getting a regular carpet cleaning by a certified professional cleaner is recommended by the manufacturer in order to maintain your carpet’s warranty. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is a certifying body that sets the standards of cleaning recommended by most major manufacturers. 
The institute provides extensive training and certifications for technicians in the carpet cleaning industry. Using a certified professional insures that your carpets will receive the proper care to extend the life of your investment. Most manufacturers recommend cleaning at least every 12 to 18 months. 
Following these simple steps will greatly increase the life of your carpet. New flooring for your home is a significant investment. Keeping up with the proper care and maintenance of your carpet will insure that you receive the maximum life and appearance you expect and will also keep your home healthy and beautiful.

Source: Angie's List

For many people, having your carpets cleaned is seen as unnecessary cost. In this economy  it is understandable that one may be hesitant to spend their considerably smaller discretionary income on something such as carpet cleaning. This being said, having clean carpets is much more than meets the eye. Instead of just having that grape juice stain removed, or finally getting rid of your dogs dirty footprints – carpet cleaning can have multiple positive health benefits.

Here are the top 5 potential health issues associated with not cleaning your carpets according to Carlo Ruggiero who is a social blogger and “green” aficionado.

1) Damp carpets can cause asthma

The Kuopio Regional Institute of Occupational Health conducted a recent study which conclusively found that damp carpets increased the incidences of asthma in an environment where people were constantly exposed to the carpet. Organisms known as volatile organic compounds and microbial growth were found able to flourish in an unclean, damp carpet, and the results were increased cases of bronchial asthma, one of the deepest forms of the disease.

2) Dirty carpets house dust mites

Dirty carpets are well known to be a breeding ground for dust mites, in the same way that dirty hair is a breeding ground for lice. Dust mites feed off of the same fungi, bacteria, and human skin cells that naturally filter into a carpet and stay if the carpet is not cleaned on a regular basis. Studies have also shown that most people are allergic to dust mites, and as they die, their carcasses are inhaled by humans who come into contact with the dirty carpet. Inhalation of the dead bodies has been known to cause rashes, and eye and nose irritation.

3) Dirty carpets house mold

Mold has not been proven to link to asthmatic attacks, but this does not mean that mold does not cause humans great discomfort if left unattended. Bacteria and allergens which live on the mold can build up on uncared for carpeting, and when ingested, can cause allergies to surface via the respiratory system. Worse problems can arise if the body succumbs to the bacteria which live on the mold spores, which it is especially prone to do if already weakened by another disease. If you are experiencing cold-like symptoms more often than normal, it is most likely time to get your carpet cleaned.

4) Athlete’s foot

As before mentioned, dirty carpets house an incredible number of parasitic organisms which, if ingested into the respiratory system, can cause a number of health issues. The dust, fungi, and other organisms are kicked back into the air by movement on the carpet. However, another risk arises even if the movement on the carpet is not violent enough to move the organisms into the air, they can still cause athlete’s foot by entering the body through tiny cuts in the foot.

5) Mycotoxins

More serious health issues can arise if the body is exposed to too many mycotoxins, which dirty carpets are an attractive environment for. Buildings are a source of mycotoxins and people living or working in areas with mould increase their chances of adverse health effects. These can range from stomach infections to fatality, depending on the initial health of the exposed person, or over time, as the mycotoxins wear down the body’s defences. For example, Stachybotrys chartarum contains a higher number of mycotoxins than other molds grown in the indoor environment and has been associated with allergies and respiratory inflammation.

A recent report from Yahoo! Canada  stated that a recent study by UNICEF revealed that there is more germs on a family sofa than a toilet seat! Yuck! It stated: 



"While a third of people think the bathroom is the dirtiest room in the house, microbiologists found the average family sofa has a bacterial count that is a staggering 12 times more than the typical toilet seat. The family sofa earns a respectable 19,200 germs per 100 cm², while a toilet seat comes in at a paltry 1,600 germs per 100 cm²."


Not exactly how you want to spend time relaxing after a long day's work. Remembering to spray your sofa down from time to time can really help cut down on the germs found on a sofa. It's important to note that you always want to use a fabric safe spray designed for upholstery. Even at that it is always best to test it in a hidden area just to be sure it will not damage the sofa. 


It is best though to really give your family sofa a good deep cleaning every once in awhile ensuring that you are killing bacteria and pulling out dirt, debris, and body oils that accumulate over time. So, how often should you have your couch professionally cleaned? It’s ideal to have your couch professionally cleaned every 1 to 2 years. This interval of cleaning means your couch will be fresh, clean and durable. When you have the upholstery on our couch cleaned, it removes soils that, over time, will degrade the fibers of the couch, So, regular cleanings are a good way to prolong the life of your upholstery.


If you have unique soiling or heavily soiling (kids and pets and maybe a sloppy eater!), you might want to get your couch professionally cleaned every 6 months to keep it fresh! Although we have many of our customers get by with the staying in that 1 to 2 year range.

If you’ve ever had your couch cleaned, you know how great it looks, smells and feels afterwards. There's nothing like coming home from a long day and kicking back on a nice clean sofa. If you've never had your couch cleaned…now is the time! 

Can clean carpeting really make your life better? We think the answer is a resounding yes! There are many reasons why maintaining a clean home and clean carpeting can lead to a better quality of life. Read on!

Cleaning can be a de-stressor

We’re not talking about the running around and last-minute cleaning you do when your mother-in-law is on her way over but rather about a calm, weekly ritual. Regularly vacuuming the carpets, straightening up the magazines, fluffing the pillows on your couch, and making your bed look like it belongs in a model home—all these things allow you to enjoy your home, get a little movement going, and de-stress.

Better air quality

Imagine yourself surrounded by pleasant smells, a whiff of fresh flowers, and a lemony scent wafting from clean kitchen counters. You can’t smell these things if you walk in your home and stir up dust from dirty carpeting. Institute a no-shoes policy in your home, and make sure you leave the outdoors where they belong. Better air quality truly makes a better home.

Save money

A little extra money in the bank can definitely lead to a better quality of life. By vacuuming on a regular basis and having a professional carpeting cleaning done, you can extend the life of your carpeting and area rugs. No need to replace carpeting before its time.

Are you ready for a better quality of life?  Capeway Cleaning has been performing home carpet cleaning in the Marion area for more than 28 years. We pride ourselves on the quality of our work. Our natural carpet cleaning process dries quickly and uses no harmful chemicals. We also offer area rug cleaning. Visit our website to take advantage of our special offers.