You've been looking forward to your new carpet for months. You carefully selected the color, thickness, and pattern and are ready to enjoy your home's updated feel. After your new carpet was installed, however, you noticed a strong smell coming from the floor.
This is due to volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the carpet fibers. VOCs are released into the air as the carpet off-gases. They are generally harmless in small quantities, but limiting exposure to them is still best. Fortunately, you can do a few things to eliminate the new carpet smell, including airing out the room and regular vacuuming.
Hydro Clean offers commercial and residential carpet cleaning in Colorado Springs and is dedicated to getting the job done right. If you aren’t 100% satisfied, we’ll come back and make sure everything is up to our standards. If new carpet smells are affecting your quality of life, keep reading to see what you can do about it and how carpet cleaning services can help.
The VOCs that cause new carpet smells can be harmful in large quantities or with extended exposure. However, they are not unique to carpets and can be found in everyday household items, such as paint, furniture, and cleaning chemicals. Some of these VOCs are worse for you than others, and limiting exposure to them is a good practice to avoid long-term health issues.
The American Lung Association recommends choosing carpets and adhesives that are low-VOC and non-toxic. They also recommend ventilating the area and waiting 72 hours before moving back into the space. Some people may be more sensitive to new carpet smells than others. If you experience headaches, nausea, or dizziness after installation, it's best to move to fresher air and consult a doctor.
New carpet smell typically lasts for around two weeks, but this can vary depending on the type of carpet and the room's ventilation. The VOCs are released into the air as the carpet off-gases, eventually dissipating. Airing out the room and opening windows will help to speed up this process.
If you're looking for ways to get rid of the new carpet smell, there are a few things you can do:
Some people recommend waiting as long as possible before cleaning your new carpets, but professional cleaning will help remove VOCs and installation debris. In addition, many carpet cleaners use a gentle shampoo to decrease off-gassing.
New carpets also shed after installation. Cleaning them prevents annoying carpet fibers from getting stuck to your clothes and furniture and being tracked around your house. Schedule cleanings every 12-18 months after your initial cleaning to keep your carpets looking and feeling new.
Vacuuming helps remove VOCs, dust mites, and other allergens from your new carpet. It's important to vacuum regularly, especially in the first few weeks after installation. Be sure to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to trap as many particles as possible.
Many sites recommend sprinkling baking soda on your new carpets to absorb the new carpet smells. Since baking soda has such tiny particles, however, it can sift through your carpet and into the padding. Once this happens, it is challenging to remove. We suggest using one of these other solutions instead.
As the new carpet off-gases, the VOCs will dissipate into the air. Ventilating the area by opening windows or using a fan will help to speed up this process. You'll want to keep the room ventilated for at least 72 hours. Fans directed toward open windows will help keep the fumes out of your living spaces. If you can take a weekend trip or stay with friends during the first few days, that's also a great way to limit your exposure to carpet fumes.
If you're reading this before installing new carpet, consider low VOC options, which are better for your health and emit fewer fumes. You can also look for carpets with natural fibers, such as wool. These carpets are less likely to off-gas and don't require toxic adhesives. You may pay more upfront, but you'll be glad you did when your new carpet doesn't give you a headache!
If you haven’t been able to enjoy your new carpet because the odor is too strong, book a HydroClean appointment today. We’ll steam clean your new carpets with non-toxic cleaning solutions, so you don’t have to worry about your children and pets inhaling VOCs or cleaning chemicals. Replace that new carpet smell with a clean carpet smell. For more tips on preventing smelly carpets, check out this blog.
If you're shopping around for carpet cleaning services, you've likely seen professional cleaners advertising different methods, like carpet shampooing and dry carpet cleaning. Researching each of these methods to decide which is right for you can be time-consuming, so your Hydro Clean carpet experts are here to help. In this blog, we'll explain the 5 main methods of professional carpet cleaning with the advantages and disadvantages of each.
If you're looking for a quick answer to "What is the best carpet cleaning method?," we recommend steam cleaning, also known as hot water extraction. Most carpet manufacturers recommend this method of cleaning for the longest carpet life. It also removes bacteria, dirt, and allergens more effectively than the other methods listed below. Keep reading to learn more about steam cleaning and when you might want to choose a different method.
There are five main types of carpet cleaning used by carpet cleaning professionals, not counting dry vacuuming and spot stain removal, which you should do in between professional cleanings. They are:
We'll explain what each of these entail in the sections below.
Carpet shampooing is the oldest form of professional carpet cleaning. Shampoo and water are applied to your carpets using a rotary brush and then removed using a wet vac. The detergent and rotary brush used in carpet shampooing allow for a deep clean, separating dirt and pet hair from your carpet fibers.
One disadvantage of carpet shampooing is that it can leave a potential sticky residue that causes your carpets to re-soil more quickly. The rotary brushes can also be rough on delicate carpets and rugs. Carpet shampooing is best for high-traffic areas that need to be cleaned frequently anyway, like a business setting.
Bonnet cleaning is similar to carpet shampooing, but instead of a rotary brush, a cotton or synthetic pad is used. The cleaning solution is applied to the carpet and then removed with the pad.
This type of carpet cleaning can provide quick results for light soil levels on carpets. Since it doesn't provide a deep clean, however, dirt and debris can resurface quickly. This is another good method for commercial settings since it can keep your carpets looking fresh in between shampooing or steam cleaning.
Dry carpet cleaning uses a dry powder that absorbs dirt and other debris from your carpets. The powder is worked into the carpet fibers using brushes to attract dirt. Then, your carpet cleaner will use a high-powered vacuum to suck up the powder along with the dirt.
This method is attractive for many business owners because you do not have to wait for carpets to dry before returning to work. Over time, however, the cleaning compounds can build up in your carpet and trigger allergies. Depending on the cleaning compound, dry cleaning can also leave a pungent odor, so make sure to ventilate if you use this method.
Encapsulation uses a special kind of foam or liquid detergent that attracts dirt and crystalizes around it as it dries. The dried foam can then be vacuumed up along with the dirt, similar to dry carpet cleaning.
Encapsulation is great for removing light dirt residue from carpets and can be used to extend the life of carpets between steam cleanings. It also dries quickly, so there is minimal downtime. One other benefit of encapsulation is that it has a smaller environmental impact than shampooing or steam cleaning because it conserves water and energy.
Encapsulation provides a deeper clean than the bonnet or dry methods but still doesn't remove deep stains or odors as effectively as shampooing or steam cleaning.
Water extraction, often referred to as steam cleaning, is the most effective and safest way to deep clean your carpets. Hot water and detergent are injected into the carpet fibers at high pressure and then extracted with a powerful vacuum. The best carpet cleaners will use a truck mount system to remove as much dirt and moisture as possible.
This method allows for maximum soil removal from deeply embedded dirt, stains, and odors. Hot water extraction typically uses less detergent and rarely leaves a sticky residue. Steam cleaning is also gentler on carpet fibers than shampooing.
Additionally, steam cleaning can help extend your carpets' life by removing potential allergens and reducing wear and tear. Some carpet manufacturers even require steam cleaning every 12-18 months to keep your carpet under warranty.
The main disadvantage of steam cleaning your carpets is that you will need to wait for them to dry before resuming normal activities, which can disrupt your daily life.
Out of all the methods listed, steam cleaning is the most effective way to clean carpets professionally. It uses hot water and detergent to remove stubborn dirt, stains, and odors while preserving your carpet's fibers. There's also no sticky residue, so your carpets will look and feel clean longer.
It can take some time for carpets to dry after steam cleaning, but it offers unparalleled results. If you want to ensure your carpets look, feel, and smell their best, steam cleaning is the way to go.
Whether you opt for bonnet, dry or encapsulation cleaning, or water extraction (steam cleaning), make sure you find a reputable carpet cleaner who is licensed and certified to perform the job. They should use quality equipment and cleaning products designed specifically for carpets, as well as the right techniques to avoid damaging your carpets.
If you'd like to book a steam cleaning with the IICRC-certified technicians at Hydro Clean, contact us today.
With our cutting-edge equipment and expert carpet cleaners, we eliminate an average of over 90% of common household allergens, ensuring a healthier indoor environment for you and your family.
