After a long winter and a muddy spring, your carpets are in desperate need of cleaning. The question is, can you DIY a deep carpet cleaning, or is this a job best left to the carpet cleaning professionals?
Whether you use a professional or do it yourself, deep cleaning is recommended every six to 12 months to rid your carpet of stubborn stains, ground-in dirt, grease, pet accidents, spills and other nasty soiling.
It also eliminates microbes, dust, dander and allergens that can impact your indoor air quality, and reduces wear and tear, preserving your carpet’s working life and keeping it looking (and smelling) as good as new.
Here are a few important considerations to keep in mind when deep cleaning a carpet, including when to call in the pros:
Deeply soiled carpets – For mildly soiled carpets with surface stains, you can probably get away with cleaning it yourself. With deeply soiled carpets, however, even the best rental equipment may not get them clean.
Over time, dirt, grime, grease and stains can become deeply embedded into carpet fibres and difficult to remove, especially if you’re unfamiliar with carpet cleaning equipment and solutions. A certified professional carpet cleaning service will have the state-of-the-art equipment, technology, cleaning solutions and training needed to thoroughly clean deeply soiled carpets without damaging them.
Damage Control – Speaking of damage, professional, certified carpet cleaners know how to properly clean your carpet without damaging its colour, fibres or texture. If you have quality or delicate carpets you want to protect, it might be wiser to go with a pro – especially one who offers a guarantee.
If you do clean your carpets yourself, ensure the equipment and technique you’re employing completely extracts the water. The longer it takes for your carpets to dry, the more likely it is for mould, mildew, fungus and other gross stuff to start growing. A professional cleaning service should be able to extract the maximum amount of moisture for faster drying carpets.
Carpet odours – That odd smell in your space may be coming from your carpet. Carpet fibres tend to trap not just dirt but odours that can linger. Many, like the ones that come from pet accidents, can be stubborn and resistant to home cleaning solutions, so even if you rent carpet cleaning equipment, you may not have access to the professional-grade cleaning solutions needed to eliminate odours.
Professional carpet cleaning services are generally better at removing offending smells. Look for someone who uses advanced solutions as well as carpet deodorizing treatments specially formulated to remove odours as well as grime.
Stain protection – Once your carpets are clean, you’ll want to make sure they stay that way. One effective way to help preserve that look is by using a stain-resistant protective coating, but household solutions may not have the protective strength and lasting power you need.
If minimizing future stains is a priority, you may want to call in the pros, and be sure to ask if they also offer protection against oil- and water-based stains for all kinds of carpet fabrics. It’s also a good idea to ask if their products are non-toxic, environmentally friendly and safe for children and pets.
Beyond carpets – If you find you need stairs, rugs, furniture, upholstery, window treatments and other soft surfaces cleaned as well, rental carpet cleaning equipment won’t do much good. Look for a professional cleaning service whose certified technicians are trained to properly clean every area of your home, so you can get it all done at once.
When it comes to preserving the longevity of your carpets and health of your environment, DIY carpet cleaning isn’t always the best option.
Before you go through the trouble of deep cleaning your carpets yourself, talk to a pro. COIT Cleaning and Restoration Services’ trained technicians offer professional deep clean services. Call COIT in Nanaimo at
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