Logan, UT- We love our carpets. Teenagers lay cross-legged on them to play board games while chatting with friends. We nap on them, curled up near the fireplace. Moms willingly release youngsters onto the carpet to roam safely.

But, what you might not know is that your carpet also acts as your home's largest air filter. As air circulates throughout the home, carpets can collect everything from dust, dirt, pollen, allergens, dust mites and even pet dander, which can affect your family's health.

In an effort to educate homeowners on the benefits and importance of routine carpet maintenance to keep carpets cleaner, Chem-Dry, a division of The Home Depot, has designated April as National Carpet Cleaning Month. Local Chem-Dry representatives will present informative demonstrations at nearly 1,000 Home Depot stores during April. 

“People want to live in a healthy home with their families,” said Jotham Hatch, Chem-Dry Technical Training Manager. “During this year’s National Carpet Cleaning Month, we want to educate people on the importance of professional routine carpet cleaning to make their homes a better place to live.”

To prolong the life of your carpets and keep them looking new, experts suggest having your carpets professionally cleaned at least every 12-18 months - in addition to routine vacuuming.  Professional cleaners have the necessary extraction equipment and products to clean deep below the carpet’s surface, down where an average home vacuum will never reach. For your convenience, cleaning companies provide free quotes online or over the phone.

“When it comes to choosing a professional carpet cleaning company, make sure to do your homework," said Ed Quinlan, Chem-Dry Communications Manager. “Different companies may offer various cleaning processes. To meet your carpet manufacturer's warranty, you must have a cleaning with hot water extraction to get clean deep into the carpet.”

Chem-Dry has taken the hot water extraction process one step further by adding the power of carbonation. Millions of effervescent bubbles work to break up and lift dirt to the surface where it is quickly whisked away. Using very little water, you are left with a dry, deep clean, in only 1-2 hours. Many steam cleaners can take days for their carpets to dry, Quinlan said.

Select Home Depot locations will be hosting Chem-Dry demonstrations throughout National Carpet Cleaning Month. Each location will have an onsite Chem-Dry expert educating and explaining the carpet cleaning process. Please visit www.chemdry.com for demonstration locations and details or call (800) 243-6379.