People with dogs tend to consider them a part of the family. Of course, even the most well-trained of dogs can be a little messy, and it's your carpets that often suffer. They might offer the benefits of warmth and comfort for the dog, but they also take stains, dirt, allergens and such more easily than flooring materials like timber, laminate and tile.

But dog owners don't need to replace their carpets to keep their floors clean. Having them steam cleaned a few times a year will keep them looking and smelling their best. Here are just four reasons why carpet steam cleaning is great for dog owners.

1. Remove Deep Down Dirt

Regular vacuuming does a great job removing surface dirt and grime from the top layer of your carpet. Unfortunately, some dirt will get down into the bottom fibres, where it will be largely untouched by even the best of vacuum cleaners. This can be a particular problem for dog owners since dogs tend to bring in a little dirt on their paws. As they walk around, they'll push that dirt down deeper than your vacuum can reach. Steam cleaners reach right down to the bottom layer of your carpet so they can get rid of that deep-down dirt to leave the floor looking fresh.

2. Get Rid of Allergens

Even if you don't suffer from allergies yourself, you might know people who do, and they might be unwilling to visit as much if they know they'll spend the time itching and sneezing. Carpets tend to make this problem worse since they are so good at catching pet dander and hair, which is what causes allergies in the first place. Again, vacuuming can only go so far in getting rid of them. In contrast, regular steam cleaning sessions can remove far more dander and hair from your carpet to make your home relatively allergy-friendly.

3. Removes Stains

Even the most well-behaved of dogs can create stains. They might be caught short when they need to go. Additionally, they tend to discolour their favourite spots of carpet over time as their body oils slowly get absorbed into the fibres. Steam cleaning uses extremely hot water to break down the bonds between carpet fibres and staining compounds, so regular steam cleaning can help avoid marks.

4. Doesn't Use Chemicals

There are other ways to have your carpet cleaned, such as using shampoo. The problem is that they tend to use hazardous chemicals and so are not always recommended for pet owners. Steam cleaning uses nothing but hot water, so it has no negative effects on a dog's health.