Professional carpet cleaning VS. DIY

Jerseymel · June 2011

We just bought a home where the finished basement and upstairs is all carpeted. I really want to make sure the carpets get a thorough cleaning before we move in due to my allergies (and for cleanliness reasons).

My husband and I are big DIYers so the work part isn't an issue--I'm just concerned about a rental machine doing a good job. I realize it may not be quite as good as a professional cleaning, but if it's pretty close I'd like to save the money and do it ourselves. Any experiences, thoughts, opinions on this?

Temp6313048411121614 · June 2011

The rental machines do a good job IMO. I don't think anything will do quite as well as a professional clean (and I think a professional cleaning is better for your carpets in the long run because of how they clean it and how much more water they're able to suck up. We have a carpet cleaner (well, my mom does but we need it so much more than she does since we have 3 L.O.s that it lives at my house) and it does a good job, you may just want to invest in one yourself (they're not that expensive if you plan to use it a few times).

suzie711 · June 2011

Aussie*s_Mom:
The rental machines do a good job IMO. I don't think anything will do quite as well as a professional clean (and I think a professional cleaning is better for your carpets in the long run because of how they clean it and how much more water they're able to suck up. We have a carpet cleaner (well, my mom does but we need it so much more than she does since we have 3 L.O.s that it lives at my house) and it does a good job, you may just want to invest in one yourself (they're not that expensive if you plan to use it a few times).

This! We bought one for around $100 and it does a great job - even better than I've had with the rentals.

CollegeGrrl219 · June 2011

My DH has allergies, and the rental is not good enough for us.

We ended up buying a Hoover Steam Vac and getting the shampoo that's designed for allergens. It worked great.

I have never paid for a professional cleaning, because our Hoover works great.

JillianCarr27 · June 2011

In my opinion, if you DIY, I feel like the carpet gets dirtier after you clean in. I feel like it gets dirty easier and faster because I think the soap attracts dirt. I've done my carpets multiple times, and yes it does work and I know how to suck up the water and dirt and all that, but I just think it gets dirty faster because there is still soap in the fibers. But maybe I'm just crazy Confused

Hudson_Hawk · June 2011

You're not crazy, you're spot on actually. Soap will attract dirt if it's not rinsed out completely. That's why it's soooo important to use just the amount the bottle tells you to use. I do a double pass with my steamer, the first time with the soap and the second time with just water.

Professional carpet cleaning VS. DIY

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