How to Extend the Life of Your Commercial Carpets
Commercial carpets take a beating. They absorb dirt, moisture, allergens, and more, especially in high-traffic areas like lobbies, hallways, and open workspaces.
Replacing them is expensive, with costs averaging $5 to $10 per square foot, not including removal or downtime.
Proper care, on the other hand, extends carpet life by years and cuts replacement costs dramatically.
The International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) found that consistent maintenance can extend carpet life by 30% to 50%.
That’s why many facility managers now combine in-house upkeep with regular visits from trusted cleaning partners.
If you're searching for business janitorial services near me, companies like NAE Cleaning Solutions offer professional carpet care options tailored to your building's size and traffic levels.
How Often Should You Vacuum Commercial Carpets?
Vacuum daily in high-traffic zones and at least three times a week in low-traffic areas.
Vacuuming is your first line of defense. It removes dry soil that acts like sandpaper on carpet fibers.
According to the Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI), 80% of dirt in carpets is dry soil, and vacuuming regularly is the most effective way to remove it.
Here’s a quick guide:
Daily: Entrances, lobbies, hallways
3–4x per week: Conference rooms, breakrooms
2–3x per week: Individual offices and cubicles
Use vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters. They trap fine dust and allergens instead of blowing them back into the air — a must for employee health and air quality.
What’s the Right Way to Spot Clean Spills?
Clean spills immediately using blotting, not scrubbing, and always use a neutral cleaner. Time is critical. When coffee, ink, or food hits the floor, act fast. The longer it sits, the deeper it seeps into the backing. This leads to odor, staining, and bacterial buildup.
Follow these steps:
Blot with a clean, dry towel to absorb as much as possible
Use a neutral-pH carpet spot remover (no bleach or ammonia)
Gently blot again — never scrub, which damages fibers
Rinse with cold water and blot dry
Place a dry towel over the spot and weigh it down to soak up moisture
A 2022 survey by Building Services Management found that offices that responded to spills within 5 minutes had a 75% lower rate of permanent stains.
Do Entry Mats Make a Difference?
Yes — good mats reduce tracked-in dirt by up to 85%, cutting cleaning costs and fiber wear.
Foot traffic is the biggest threat to commercial carpets. Each person brings in dirt, salt, moisture, and oil, and entry mats are your first defense.
Use a 3-mat system:
Scrape the outside to knock off heavy debris
Wiper/scraper mat inside the entrance to catch finer particles
Absorbent mat further into to soak up moisture
For best results, mats should be at least 10–15 feet long. According to the ISSA, 5 feet of matting captures 33% of debris, while 15 feet captures over 85%. Clean mats regularly, or they’ll just spread dirt around.