How Often Should You Clean Your Carpets? A Guide for Eastside Homeowners

Carpets are one of the biggest investments in your home, and in the Pacific Northwest, they take more abuse than carpets in drier climates. Between the constant rain tracking moisture and mud inside, the seasonal pollen from our abundant evergreen trees, and the general wear of daily family life, Eastside carpets need more attention than most homeowners realize.

The General Rule — and When to Break It

The standard recommendation is to have carpets professionally cleaned every 12 to 18 months. But for Seattle-area homes, I recommend every 6 to 12 months depending on your specific situation. Here is why: our wet climate means more moisture gets tracked into homes, which gets trapped in carpet fibers and padding. This creates a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and dust mites — none of which you can see but all of which affect your indoor air quality and your family's health.

Factors That Mean You Need More Frequent Cleaning

Several factors push you toward the more frequent end of the spectrum. If you have pets, their dander, fur, and occasional accidents mean your carpets need professional attention every 6 months at minimum. Households with children — especially toddlers and crawlers — should also lean toward twice-yearly cleaning since kids are in direct contact with carpet surfaces constantly. Allergy sufferers benefit enormously from regular carpet cleaning, as carpets trap allergens that vacuuming alone cannot fully remove. And if your home is in a nature-adjacent area like Finn Hill, Cougar Mountain, Squak Mountain, or Bear Creek, the extra pollen, dust, and debris from the surrounding forest means your carpets are accumulating more than a typical suburban home.

What Professional Carpet Cleaning Actually Does

A professional deep clean does far more than your regular vacuuming. Hot water extraction — the method most professionals including our team use — injects hot water and cleaning solution deep into the carpet fibers, then extracts it along with the embedded dirt, allergens, bacteria, and debris that vacuuming cannot reach. This process removes the deep-down grime that makes carpets look dull and feel matted over time. It also sanitizes the carpet, killing bacteria and dust mites that accumulate in the padding below the surface.

What You Can Do Between Professional Cleanings

Regular maintenance between professional cleanings extends the life of your carpets significantly. Vacuum high-traffic areas at least twice a week, and the rest of the home weekly. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to capture fine particles instead of just redistributing them into the air. Address spills and stains immediately — blot with a clean cloth, never rub, and use a mild cleaning solution. Place quality doormats at every entrance and establish a no-shoes policy if possible. In the Pacific Northwest, a dedicated area for wet shoes and boots near the door makes an enormous difference in how much moisture reaches your carpets.

Choosing the Right Carpet Cleaning Service

Not all carpet cleaning services are equal. Look for a service that uses hot water extraction rather than dry cleaning methods, which are less effective for deep cleaning. Ask about the products used — eco-friendly, non-toxic solutions are safer for your family and pets and do not leave chemical residues in your carpet. Make sure the service includes proper drying time and techniques, as carpets that dry too slowly can develop mold or mildew. At Ultimate Cleaning Service, our carpet cleaning uses professional-grade equipment with eco-friendly solutions, and we ensure proper extraction so your carpets dry quickly and thoroughly.