DIY vs. Professional Carpet Cleaning Services
Your carpets aren’t looking as great as they used to, so you’re wondering whether you should call an Oceanside, CA, carpet cleaning service or just tackle the job yourself. Both choices have their merits, but you have to carefully weigh the pros and cons of each to decide which option is best for you.
Weighing DIY vs. Professional Carpet Cleaning Near Me
There are a number of factors that can make DIY carpet cleaning seem more attractive than contacting a professional. However, you have to carefully consider whether your perceived cost or time savings will really pan out. Here’s what you need to consider when deciding between doing the job yourself and calling a pro.
Cost
Carpet cleaning cost is by far the primary motivator for deciding to do things on your own. Many people will argue that it’s far cheaper to rent a carpet cleaner than to have a professional come out to your home. Before you go down the road of DIY, be sure you understand the cost involved with doing the job yourself.
First comes the decision to rent a rug cleaning machine or buy one. Renting is cheaper than buying; however, you might find it more cost effective in the long run to invest in your own machine. This way, you’re not constantly paying rental fees or working around your local home improvement store’s schedule — you can use your machine whenever you want for as long as you want. (Take note that whichever option you choose, you’ll also be responsible for buying your own carpet cleaning solutions.)
The issue with buying a carpet cleaning machine is that you will not find one that’s nearly as powerful as those that carpet cleaning specialists use. Consumer carpet cleaners range from sub-$100 models that are really only appropriate for very light carpet cleaning (like taking care of spills or pet accidents) to units that cost several hundred dollars but are still nowhere near as effective as the truck-mounted units a professional will use.
Time
You know the phrase, “time is money?” The sentiment is apropos to do-it-yourself ventures. That is, you have to ask yourself, “will it cost me less to do the job myself or to call a carpet place near me?”
To consider the answer to this question, think about your schedule. Do you work? Do you have kids? Do you often have company at your house? Would you prefer to relax on the weekend or spend your time figuring out how a carpet cleaning machine works?
If you work, have kids, or often entertain, you’ll need to figure out how to work carpet cleaning into your schedule. It can be difficult if you don’t get home until late or have young children who need constant supervision. If you hire a carpet cleaning company, you can have your carpets taken care of on your lunch break or while you take the kids to the park.
If you feel that you have the time to clean your own carpets, you should also ask yourself: Do you really want to? As you’re not a professional carpet cleaner, you’ll be slower and you may spend a lot of time figuring out the right technique. Then the question is, when will you once again have the opportunity to show off your new skill?
Frequency
The last consideration when it comes to deciding whether to clean your own carpets or hire a professional is frequency of cleaning. This ties closely to “time” as previously discussed. Professionals advise that you should clean your carpets as often as every six months — some carpet manufacturers may even demand it to keep warranties intact.
This means you need to circle back to the question: Do you have the time or desire to maintain this chore on a regular basis?
When you factor in finding the time to clean carpets, how long the job will take you as an amateur, and lack of access to professional equipment, you’ll probably realize that the hassle of DIY isn’t worth it.
Why You Should Call an Oceanside, CA, Carpet Cleaning Company
Now that we’ve covered considerations for doing the job yourself, let’s explore the primary reasons you should hire a professional carpet cleaning service.
Equipment
The fact that professional carpet cleaners have access to powerful, specialized equipment is a huge reason to go pro rather than DIY.
Simply put: Professional equipment will clean deeper and better than anything you can rent or buy.
● The carpet shampooers you’ll find at a home improvement store may not heat water, while professional machines consistently create steam to loosen grime and kill bacteria.
● Professional carpet cleaners use powerful suction to extract dirt and water from deep within fibers. Machines for consumers lack this power, leaving your carpets wet, which means more drying time.
● Carpet cleaning technicians have access to more effective cleaners and sanitizers than you’ll find at big box stores.
Experience
Just important as a professional’s equipment is his expertise. Carpet cleaning technicians have been thoroughly trained, and many have years of experience to draw on when contemplating the best ways to tackle a particular space or deal with certain stains.
Do you know the best ways to remove permanent marker, grape juice, or cooking grease? Carpet cleaning experts do (and they don’t need to consult Google first).
Another area where a professional carpet cleaner’s experience is helpful is when it comes to addressing other soft and hard surfaces in your home. If your carpets need cleaning, there’s a good chance that you could also benefit from area rug cleaning, couch cleaning services, and maybe even mattress cleaning. How long will it take you to figure out how to clean these things, and then how long will it take you to actually get the jobs done?
There are many areas in life where DIY is just fine. Hanging a picture frame? Check. Pulling weeds? Check. Cutting your own hair? Maybe that’s best left to the professionals — just like carpet cleaning. While it may be cheaper to rent a carpet cleaner, you’ll find that the cost of hiring a trained professional will far outweigh the benefit of saving a few dollars.
