Shampooing carpets is one of those household tasks that many have mixed feelings about. Since it is a task that likely gets done occasionally, you may often wonder if the carpet shampoo you use will still be effective, even though you’ve had the same bottle for a little while. We’ve researched whether carpet shampoo expires, so you’ll know whether you can use or need to replace your shampoo before delving into a deep clean.
Carpet shampoo does have a shelf life, just as most cleaners do. What does that mean exactly? Well, your carpet shampoo has a cleaning agent known as oxidizers (a safe form of bleach). It is used to get rid of those tough stains and disinfect the carpet fibers, and these oxidizers tend to decay over time.
To give you a better understanding of effective carpet cleaning and how to determine if the bottle of carpet cleaner is still going to be productive, please read on to know what you need to do to keep your carpet shampoo the most effective.
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How to Tell When Your Carpet Cleaner Is Expired?
In order to tell if your carpet cleaner is expired, you need to find the expiration date printed on the bottle. This will let you know if it’s past its prime or is still okay to use. If the date cannot be found or it has faded away, a good rule of thumb is that a bottle of carpet shampoo will last about a year once opened.
If you are still unsure, another way to tell if the carpet shampoo has expired is to test it on a small patch of carpet.
- Pour one or two capfuls of shampoo into a mop bucket or open cleaning container.
- Mix with 16-ounces of hot water.
- Use a cleaning brush and dip it into the cleaning mixture.
- Scrub the stain or dirty area for a minute. Now ask yourself, “Does the carpet look cleaner?” Try to determine whether the product changed the carpet in any way. If so, it may be okay to use. If there is not a noticeable difference, it is time to replace it with a fresh bottle.
How To Make Carpet Shampoo Last Longer?
Proper storage of your carpet shampoo will increase the shelf life by a few weeks and give you more bang for your buck. If you’re not overly concerned with a couple of extra weeks, replacing your old carpet shampoo with a new one is the preferred method.
Click here to see Arm & Hammer Deep Clean carpet shampoo on Amazon.
Once you’ve replaced your old bottle or you’re confident that your current one hasn’t expired, here are some tips to keep your carpet shampoo working effectively while also lasting longer:
- Store in a cool, dry place. Carpet Shampoo must be stored in a cool, dry area. If it is stored where it gets too hot, the oxidizers will deteriorate faster, hence losing its effectiveness.
- Do not store in direct sunlight. If you keep carpet shampoo in direct sunlight, this can also reduce its effectiveness. The hot summer air can impact the chemicals and begin to reduce its potency. If your bottle is not in a dark container, sunlight can have an even more significant effect. It is recommended to find a dark plastic container to dispel any ultraviolet light and maintain the shampoo’s integrity.
- Properly seal the container. Making sure the lid is on tight is essential when storing your carpet cleaner. It goes without saying that this prevents evaporation and prevents the shampoo from becoming less effective.
How Many Times Can You Shampoo A Carpet?
Generally, some people would agree that it is recommended to shampoo your carpet at least every 12-months; however, there are some factors that you need to take into account when deciding for yourself how often is best.
Cleaning frequency factors:
Family size
With all those kids running around, households with large families should consider having their carpets cleaned every three to six months.
Oops, a spill! Read “How To Get Grape Juice Out of Carpet” for all the best stain removal tips and tricks.
Animals
Pets are a curious bunch, and whether you have an inside pet or a pet that has some access to the outside world, they can make a mess. Pet owners should consider having their carpets cleaned every three to six months.
To keep your carpet smelling fresh, read “Is Carpet Deodorizer Safe For Pets? (These 5 Are).”
Heavy Traffic Areas
Rooms in the house that are frequented most will need to be cleaned more often. How often, you ask, well, that is all based on how many are in your family and how often the area is used.
Local Environment
If you live in an area where it rains or snows, your friends and family could track in mud and grime. This could impact how often you may need to shampoo your carpets. You may want to consider having your carpets cleaned every four to eight months. It may be best to ask your family or guests to take off their shoes to prevent soiling in and around your entryways.
How Long Does Carpet Cleaning Last?
Keeping your carpet clean longer can be challenging, especially if you have a family with young children. Depending on your family’s size, including pets and small children, you can expect a carpet cleaning to last several weeks, but if you’re looking to keep it cleaner, you should follow proper prevention methods.
You can increase the time between cleanings by following these simple prevention measures:
- Take off your shoes: By far, the biggest win when it comes to keeping your carpets cleaner longer is taking off your shoes. If you need to wear shoes, consider using two pairs, one for inside and one when you leave the house.
- Spot cleaning: If you have small children or pets, it may be wise to invest in a small spot cleaner. There are many on the market, but spot cleaning is usually the last thing you think about at the end of a long day.
- Vacuum daily: Use a vacuum daily to keep carpets pristine and in good shape.
- Congregate in less trafficked areas: When you use more of your home’s space, you even out the wear and tear on the carpet and prevent some areas from wearing out sooner.
Over time, carpets will begin to attract the three D’s: dirt, dust, and debris. Effective carpet cleaning should be planned out accordingly to extend the life of your carpet. Following the simple prevention methods noted above will help extend your carpet’s life and increase the time between cleanings.
Is It Better To Shampoo Or Steam Clean Carpets?
There are different processes available for cleaning your carpet, and you may be wondering which method is best. Let’s go over each one.
Shampooing Carpets
Shampooing carpets is the process of applying a hot-water-based shampoo mixture to the carpet, which contains an oxidizer (a safe form of bleach) that kills mold, mildew, and algae as well as other contaminants.
Click here to see Bissell Turboclean carpet shampooer on Amazon.
Steam Cleaning Carpets
Steam cleaning is also effective at removing mold, mildew, and algae. However, the process uses hot steam and some pre-treatments as the cleaning agent to disinfect and extract these harmful irritants and organisms.
Click here to see McCulloch heavy-duty steam cleaner on Amazon.
So which one is best? Both are effective at cleaning, but when do you choose one over the other?
Generally, you would choose to shampoo your carpets if there is an overabundance of stains or it appears to be heavily soiled. You would choose to steam clean your carpet when there aren’t major stains or soiling and the carpet seems to be dirty.
Summary
To wrap up, carpet shampoos expire and only last for about a year. It’s important that you check labels to determine when they expire before starting any carpet cleaning project. After you clean your carpets, it is essential to implement simple prevention methods to extend your carpet’s life and increase the frequency between cleanings to save time and money. Next time you have guests over, tell them to take off their shoes. They’ll be amazed at how your carpet looks and will ask you for advice on how they can get a perfectly-cleaned carpet.-
