DIY Carpet Cleaning or Hire a Professional?

So, you’ve had your carpet for five to 10 years, there are some spots left from stains that couldn’t be removed completely, highly frequented areas on the carpet are starting to be matted down, and you’re starting to notice your allergies are in full force this year. You’re thinking about hiring a professional carpet cleaning service but aren’t sure if you can get away with doing it yourself. Do you want to go through the hassle of spending a day cleaning it yourself or renting a machine? Or is it worth the little extra money to hire carpet cleaners? Are there spills and stains that you should just do yourself? Steam Master Cleaning is here to help guide you through the steps of deciding whether to go the DIY route or hire a professional.

Questions To Ask Yourself

• What kind of carpet is it? If it’s a cheap area rug that’s been in the house for years and there are noticeable pet and food stains, it might be time to toss it and get a new carpet. If the carpet is a sturdy wall-to-wall carpet with a few stains here and there, this can either be cleaned yourself or by a professional. If the carpet is an expensive Persian or Afghan rug that’s been in the family for years, this should be cleaned by a professional who can make sure the fabric isn’t damaged.
• How much time do you have? Thoroughly cleaning a carpet to remove dust and allergens will take more than a quick pass with the vacuum cleaner. It requires some elbow grease and the right equipment that needs to either be bought or rented.
• What is your budget? Hiring a professional steam cleaning company may cost a little more than renting a machine at your hardware store, but also think about the results that each will achieve. If you’re leaning towards the DIY route, there’s a chance you’ll purchase a product, it doesn’t work, and you end up buying more products. You’ll end up with a supply closet full of half used carpet cleaner and will still need to find another option.
• How often will you clean your carpet? If you have a few pets, a couple of kids, and messy eaters, buying a carpet cleaning machine may be an option. However, if you’re not in the business of cleaning carpets, mistakes could be made that will still leave your carpets looking a little dingy. Also, keep in mind that some machines don’t clean as well as others.

Self Cleaning

If you are really trying to avoid hiring a company, here are some tips from the pros.

• They are professionals. We’re not saying you wouldn’t be a great carpet cleaner, but when you’ve spent as much time as a professional does with stained carpets, you get to know exactly what needs to be done. Professionals know the right equipment, the right solution, and time-saving methods to give you a clean and healthy carpet.
• They know carpet. Frieze, texture, Saxony, Berber, level loop, fiber, pile, weight, density, twist, PAR rating – there’s a lot to know about carpet and these types of carpets and terms are just the beginning. A company will know everything they need and have the experience to give the deepest clean possible.
• Carpet is an investment. When you buy a car, you get insurance, right? When you install a house full of carpet, steam cleaning is your insurance. The life and longevity of your carpet can be enhanced with regular, thorough cleanings. Professional cleanings will help avoid things that will affect the life of your carpet, such as shrinking, stretching, or matting.

We understand the need to save money, but which is more important: getting an undoubtedly clean and healthy carpet? Or save a little money? The process of self-cleaning is fairly lengthy and can also be costly, including renting the machine for one or two days, purchasing cleaning solution, moving furniture, setting up fans to dry to the carpet, putting the furniture back, and returning the equipment. In the end, how sure are you that the carpet has been rid of dust, allergens, bacteria, pollens, and microorganisms that can be harmful to your family?

Hire a Professional

Here are a few benefits to hiring a cleaning service.

• They are professionals. We’re not saying you wouldn’t be a great carpet cleaner, but when you’ve spent as much time as a professional does with stained carpets, you get to know exactly what needs to be done. Professionals know the right equipment, the right solution, and time-saving methods to give you a clean and healthy carpet.
• They know carpet. Frieze, texture, Saxony, Berber, level loop, fiber, pile, weight, density, twist, PAR rating – there’s a lot to know about carpet and these types of carpets and terms are just the beginning. A company will know everything they need and have the experience to give the deepest clean possible.
• Carpet is an investment. When you buy a car, you get insurance, right? When you install a house full of carpet, steam cleaning is your insurance. The life and longevity of your carpet can be enhanced with regular, thorough cleanings. Professional cleanings will help avoid things that will affect the life of your carpet, such as shrinking, stretching, or matting.

It is certainly enticing going the DIY route, but it’s clear that a carpet cleaning service is the way to go if you want to protect your carpet, revitalize older carpet, and keep your family healthy. Learn more about what Steam Master Cleaning has to offer and schedule an appointment today.