Carpet cleaning, should you do it yourself? That’s the dilemma that many people face when finally deciding they really need to do something about their carpet instead of covering over any badly stained areas with hastily rearranged furniture. The question is, is it really cost effective to do it yourself? The answer is both yes and no.
I know that sounds like I haven’t really given you a definitive answer, but that’s because it isn’t always as simple as ‘to DIY or not to DIY‘ Here’s why…
Let’s start by saying that it is perfectly possible to rent steam cleaning equipment for a day or so and to do a relatively good job. Conversely if you’re looking to clean your own carpets on a regular basis it may pay you to purchase similar equipment to the one you are looking to rent. A good one might cost you anywhere between $300 and $500 whereas a day’s rental might be closer to $50.00 so all in all, not a bad price all things considered.
Now let’s take the professional.
In many ways they have the edge. While it’s true that the more carpets that need cleaning the more it’s going to cost you, you have to remember that they’re professional for a reason. This is something that they do day in and day out! Therefore unlike the first time carpet cleaner, a pro should know exactly what they’re doing.
So why’s this important. After all, can’t you just wing it?
The fact of the matter is that not all carpets are alike and some materials require delicate handling while with others it doesn’t matter quite so much. That said, there are so many things that can and do go wrong with incorrectly cleaned carpets which can result in anything from discolouration and quicker re-soiling, through to shrinkage and even carpet mould. All of which can cost you far more than hiring a professional company to do it in the first place
So what can go wrong?
Factors such as;
- Getting the carpet too wet
- Not drying it off properly
- Incorrect choice of detergents for the carpet material
- Excessive detergent use
- Not using the right method of cleaning for the carpet type
- Failure to remove remaining detergents
will all cause issues for your carpet with some being worse than others.
Not only this, most professional cleaning companies use truck-mounted hot water extraction equipment. Therefore they can deliver the perfect temperature of hot water which in turn boosts the detergent’s effectiveness. Conversely the best you can do when you DIY is to pour hot water into the tank on the steam cleaner and hope that it doesn’t cool off too quickly. Finally the pros also benefit from having more powerful equipment. This means that more of the water (and indeed dirty residue) is likely to be sucked out, leaving you with a cleaner, drier carpet, so less chance of carpet mould.
So what’s the definitive answer?
If you’re confident that you know what you’re doing and have the right equipment, then you might want to DIY. After all it’s cheaper. However if you’re unsure, or just don’t want the hassle yourself, then a reputable carpet cleaning company can and will do a great job.
We’ve been in business for many years and are a well-established company. We invite you to check out our website at www.carpetcleaningkings.com.au or contact us directly on 1300 7000 75
to arrange a free, no-obligation quote.
