10 Helpful Carpet Cleaning Tips When Moving In or Out

Moving presents a rare opportunity to fully clean a living space without furniture being in the way. Whether you need a move out carpet cleaning as you leave Denver or a move in carpet cleaning as you arrive at a new apartment in an affordable city like Milwaukee, Wisconsin, scheduling a carpet cleaning is the best move.

1.) Hire a Certified Carpet Cleaner: 

Hire an IICRC Certified firm that uses modern, truck mounted equipment for your move out carpet cleaning. This will help ensure you hire a reputable company that knows what they are doing. These firms should also have the equipment to do the job well. 

2.) Ask for Hot Water Extraction:

While there are many ways to clean carpet, hot water extraction (AKA Steam Cleaning) is regarded as the most thorough method and provides a deep, restorative carpet cleaning. Whether you are moving out, or you want move in carpet cleaning prior to taking occupancy, you want hot water extraction for a thorough, deep clean.

3.) Schedule your Carpet Cleaning Properly to Coincide with the Movers:

If you are moving out, schedule your move out carpet cleaning once the movers have finished their work. If you are moving in, schedule your move in carpet cleaning for the day before the move.

This will ensure the carpets are fully dry by the time to movers arrive to bring in your furniture. Cleaning carpets in empty rooms is easier and more thorough than trying to clean around furniture. Whether you need Denver carpet cleaning or cleaning elsewhere, get it scheduled properly.

4.) Dealing With Carpet Pet Stains and Odor When Moving:

If you have carpet pet stains or odors that you can’t pinpoint, the last thing you want to do is put furniture on top of them. Pets often mark areas along walls. You don’t want to move a couch or a dresser on top of that odor and then always wonder where the smell is coming from. Odors become far more intense in warm months, so you won’t realize there are pet odors until it gets hot outside.

A professional carpet cleaner will have many tools at his/her disposal to diagnose pet issues (such as a black light and well-trained eye) as well as to treat them. Treatment can be as basic as a topical enzyme treatment or as severe as needing to treat the subfloor and replace the carpet pad.

All of this is easier (and less costly) without furniture being in the way. Carpet cleaning when moving is a great time to tackle pet stains and odor.

5.) The Carpet Has a Wrinkle That Needs to be Stretched or a Repair to be Done:

Over time, carpets can develop wrinkles or bubbles in them as the carpet ages, or due to poor installation. This can usually be fixed by stretching the carpet. You can’t do a good job of stretching carpet when it has furniture weighing it down.

The room needs to be empty to do the job right. When are you otherwise going to have the opportunity to have a completely empty room but when you are moving in or moving out and rooms are empty?

6.) The Furniture Left Impressions On the Carpet: 

We’ve all seen it; once all of the furniture is moved out of a space, there are little depressions everywhere. Table legs, chairs, dressers, beds etc. leave impressions on the carpet.

Hot water extraction often removes or lessens these depressions. Another great trick that often helps is to leave an ice cube in each depression. As the ice melts, it can help pop the depressions back up.

7.) You’re Moving Out and the Carpet Traffic Lanes are Trashed:

Once all that furniture is out of the way, dark, dirty traffic lanes can become really obvious. Look for a company that has a counter rotating brush machine or a rotary extractor. While a standard carpet wand in the right hands can do a great job, these heavy duty machines really help go the extra mile to bring a carpet back to life when restorative work is needed.

8.) Apply Carpet Protection After Move In Carpet Cleaning:

While the home is empty without any furniture, it’s the best time to apply carpet protection. Applying Scotchgard, Teflon, Maxim or other quality protectants will keep your carpets clean and looking great.

Following a move in carpet cleaning is a great time to apply protectant, while the carpet is still damp and there is nothing on the carpet. When you inevitably spill that soda or glass of red wine, clean up will be easier and the carpet will be far less likely to have any permanent stain.

9.) Choose the Right Vacuum and Use it Regularly:

For ongoing Maintenance, get a quality vacuum cleaner with an electronically driven brush (also referred to as a beater bar). This is especially vital for homeowners with pets. Adjust the vacuum so that it doesn’t grab or pull on the carpet, but still makes contact with the carpet fibers.

10.) Schedule Periodic Carpet Cleaning:

For most households, getting an annual carpet cleaning is adequate to keep your carpets looking great and to extend the life of the carpet. Most carpet manufacturers require a carpet cleaning every 12-18 months in order to uphold a warranty as well.

After we’ve done your initial move in carpet cleaning, it’s time to set up a periodic scheduled carpet cleaning for the future.

Follow these move in carpet cleaning and move out carpet cleaning tips to get your carpets looking great and help keep them that way!