4 in 5 Americans Believe Commercial Facilities Should Clean Carpets at Least Once a Week

A majority of Americans believe that commercial facilities such as retail stores, office buildings and restaurants should perform routine carpet care, according to new survey from Whittaker, the leader in low-moisture carpet care. The survey, conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of Whittaker from Feb. 1-3, 2022, among 2,012 U.S. adults ages 18 and older, found that four in five Americans (80%) think commercial facilities should clean their carpets at least once a week. Almost half (45%) think these businesses should clean their carpets at least once a day.

“Regular carpet care upholds its appearance by removing dirt and protects the investment for years,” said Joe Bshero, director of Technical Services at Whittaker. “This research highlights the need to frequently conduct carpet cleaning to give facility visitors confidence that your organization prioritizes cleanliness.”

Of the 45% of Americans who say commercial facility carpets should be cleaned at least once a day, nearly two in five (38%) say facilities should address carpets several times a day, while 62% feel that once a day is an ideal frequency. During the pandemic, facilities have been cleaning and disinfecting surfaces more frequently to address the spread of pathogens. Having a schedule in place for cleaning carpet helps remove embedded soils and surface stains that negatively impact its appearance and the perception that people have of a business with dirty floors.

Whittaker’s low-moisture encapsulation approach to carpet care uses less water than other methods, which allows carpet to dry in 30 minutes. The machines use multiple brushes to lift the carpet pile and agitate the chemistry into the fibers to enhance soil removal. The chemistry is specially formulated to capture dry and oily soils in crystalline capsules, which are removed through vacuuming. Because the chemistry does not leave a sticky residue behind, carpet looks cleaner for longer.

“Pairing an ergonomic machine with effective chemistry enables facilities to quickly and easily address carpet soils and stains,” added Bshero. “Consistently using these essentials can reduce the need for more disruptive and costly carpet care down the road.”