Should You Clean Carpets Before Moving In?

Moving into a new home is an exciting milestone and a fresh start. But before you start unpacking boxes and arranging furniture, there's an important question to consider - should you have the carpets professionally cleaned before officially moving in?

While it may be tempting to skip this step in the chaotic moving process, here are several compelling reasons why deep cleaning the carpets before settling in is a smart decision.

Remove Allergens, Bacteria and Odors for a Healthy Home

Even if the carpets in your new place appear clean on the surface, they can still be harboring dust mites, pet dander, pollen, mold spores, bacteria and odors from the previous occupants.

All of these hidden contaminants can negatively impact the air quality in your home and trigger allergies, asthma and other respiratory issues.

This is a particular concern if you have babies or young children who spend a lot of time playing on the floor and putting things in their mouths.

The last thing you want is your little ones ingesting bacteria or breathing in allergens from dirty carpets in your new home.

A thorough, professional carpet cleaning will extract these unhealthy particles and odors, sanitizing the carpet fibers and improving the overall air quality.

You'll breathe easier knowing your new home's carpets are truly clean and free of any "invisible" hazards from prior residents.

Starting off with fresh, clean carpets sets a healthy tone for your new space.

Easier to Clean Carpets Before Furniture Is Moved In

From a purely practical standpoint, it makes sense to clean the carpets before all your furniture and possessions are moved into the house.

Trying to clean carpets around heavy furniture like couches, beds, bookshelves and tables is cumbersome.

You'll have to move everything around, and there will inevitably be areas you can't fully reach under and behind furniture.

When you have the carpets cleaned before moving day, the cleaners will be able to easily access every inch of the carpet.

Any stubborn stains can be properly treated without having to navigate around obstacles.

The carpet will also dry much faster without heavy furniture sitting on top of the damp fibers, which could cause moisture to get trapped leading to mold or mildew.

Some professional carpet cleaners may even offer discounts for empty homes or a "whole house" package price.

It's more efficient for them to clean an unfurnished space. So take advantage of the empty rooms to get a complete, wall-to-wall carpet refresh before move-in day.

Prolong the Life of Your New Home's Carpets

Having the carpets deep cleaned right when you move in helps restore and preserve the condition of the fibers.

The hot water extraction method used by most carpet cleaning professionals removes built-up dirt, dust, oils and residues that can cause carpets to look dingy, feel rough and deteriorate faster over time.

A good, thorough cleaning lifts the carpet pile back up and makes the colors look brighter.

This initial "reset" of the carpets can help extend their overall lifespan, saving you money on premature carpet replacement down the road.

This is especially beneficial if you are renting the home and want to keep the carpets in good shape to get your full security deposit back when you eventually move out.

But even if you've purchased the home, starting a regular carpet cleaning and maintenance schedule from day one will help keep your carpets looking great for years to come.

Most carpet manufacturers actually require annual professional cleaning to maintain the warranty.

So getting your carpets cleaned before moving in starts this important maintenance routine on the right foot.

Greater Peace of Mind About Cleanliness and Sanitation

Let's face it - moving is stressful. There are so many logistics to coordinate and things to worry about during the transition to a new home.

The last thing you need is to be concerned about whether the carpets are sanitary for your family, guests and pets.

Knowing the carpets have been properly deep cleaned before you move in provides tremendous peace of mind.

You won't have to cringe imagining what dirt and germs might be lurking in the fibers as your baby learns to crawl or your kids sprawl out on the floor doing homework and playing.

You can have family and friends over without being self-conscious about lingering odors or stains in the carpet.

And you'll feel more comfortable walking around barefoot or even lying on the carpet for movie night or pillow forts.

A clean, fresh smelling carpet makes the whole house feel cleaner.

It's one less thing to stress about so you can focus on getting settled and enjoying your new home.

Plus, it's a nice feeling to know you're truly starting with a clean slate.

Leave Carpet Cleaning to the Professionals for Best Results

While you could attempt to deep clean the carpets yourself before moving in, it's not recommended. Renting a carpet cleaning machine and doing it yourself is time-consuming and physically taxing.

You likely won't be able to extract as much dirt, debris and odors as professional-grade equipment can.

And if you don't know the proper technique, you could end up over-wetting the carpet which leads to mold and mildew growth, or even damaging the delicate fibers.

Hiring a professional carpet cleaning company along with a house cleaning service before move-in day is the most effective and efficient option.

Experienced technicians have the powerful equipment, cleaning solutions and expertise to deep clean and sanitize carpets safely.

They can handle any stubborn stains, high-traffic areas or lingering odors to get your new home's carpets looking and smelling fresh.

Yes, it's an added expense during an already costly moving process.

But consider it an important investment in the health, comfort and longevity of your new home.

Not to mention, it will save you time and hassle to let professionals handle this task rather than trying to DIY in the midst of moving.

Schedule Professional Cleaning Before Your Move

If you want to give your family the cleanest, healthiest start in your new home, schedule professional cleaning services before your official move-in day.

Coordinate with the carpet cleaners to do the job a day or two before the moving truck arrives.

That way the carpets will have time to fully dry before you start bringing in furniture and boxes.

With gleaming, fresh smelling, sanitized carpets, you'll be ready to begin the exciting new chapter in your new home.

You can arrange furniture, unpack belongings and host your housewarming party with confidence, knowing your carpets are truly clean down to the padding.

It will be a relief to cross this important task off your moving checklist right from the start.

While there are many things to do when moving into a new home, having the carpets professionally cleaned should be a top priority.

You and your family will breathe easier, feel more comfortable and enjoy a healthier indoor environment from the moment you step through the door.

When you look back on this exciting milestone, you'll be so glad you took this important step to start your new home off right.