Differences Between DIY and Professional Carpet Cleaning

Carpets are one of the most popular flooring materials in the United States. They’re warm, comfortable, and even improve the acoustics of the room. Unfortunately, they’re also notoriously difficult to keep clean.

Some homemakers assume that as long as they vacuum their carpets regularly and use tricks like applying shaving cream to get rid of stains, there’s no reason to hire a professional. So, what is the difference between DIY and professional carpet cleaning? Read on to find out.

The Equipment

Professional carpet cleaners have access to commercial-grade equipment, including steam cleaners and deep cleaners. It would be tempting to assume that consumers could just use the carpet cleaner rentals found in many grocery stores to bring themselves up to speed. It would also be incorrect. Consumer-grade steam cleaners aren’t as powerful as the commercial equipment available to professionals.

The Process

Getting a carpet really clean takes more than just sucking up dirt and spot-treating stains. Professionals use deep-cleaning techniques to remove not just visible dirt but also invisible allergens like mold spores and pet dander, leaving the carpets clean all the way down to the bottom of each fiber.

Professional carpet cleaners also have access to equipment that can thoroughly dry carpets, preventing the water from seeping through to the carpet pad or flooring. When homemakers spot-clean stains or even clean their entire carpets, they’ll be left leaving them to air dry and increasing the risk of mold growth.

The Cost

It costs less to clean carpets at home. That said, the cost of hiring a professional carpet cleaner is fixed, while DIY cleaning costs are not. If an at-home trick for getting the carpet cleaned up doesn’t work, it’s money down the drain. People who hire professionals will never have to worry about wasting their money. Just make sure to ask the cleaning technician for a quote before he or she breaks out the equipment and clarify whether there will be an upcharge for difficult areas.

The Simplicity

There are few things easier than hiring a professional carpet cleaner, especially when it comes to getting rid of tough stains. While it’s sometimes possible for people to take care of problems like gum stuck in carpets using techniques like freezing and brushing it out, it takes hours and creates a lot of headaches. Even though it costs more to hire a professional, most clients find it’s worth the money to avoid wasting hours of their time trying to tackle difficult situations.

The Results

Even the best home remedies for getting rid of carpet stains are unlikely to restore the carpet to its former glory. The worst of them will leave it in worse shape than it was in before the supposed fix. The only way to get optimal results is to hire a professional.

The Bottom Line

There’s no need to hire a pro for routine maintenance tasks like vacuuming, but all the DIY home cleaning tips and tricks in the world won’t replace a professional deep cleaning. Most experts recommend scheduling visits with a professional carpet cleaner at least once a year. Allergy sufferers can benefit from even more frequent cleaning.

Daniel Donn