That is the question. But here’s one thing for certain: experts recommend deep cleaning your carpets every six to 12 months, whether you use a professional or do it yourself.

Regular cleaning will rid your carpet of those yucky stains, ground-in dirt, grease, pet accidents, spills, and other nasties. Deep carpet cleaning will also eliminate microbes, dust, dander, and allergens that can impact your indoor air quality and healthy environment. Regular carpet cleaning can additionally reduce wear and tear exacerbated by ground-in dirt, preserve your carpet’s working life, and help keep it looking (and smelling) good as new.

Whether you decide to hire a professional to clean your carpet or attempt to do it yourself using rented carpet cleaning equipment, there are a few important considerations to keep in mind.

Deeply Soiled Carpets

If your carpets suffer from surface stains and are mildly soiled, you can probably get away with cleaning it yourself. If, however, your carpets are deeply soiled, even the best rental equipment may not be able to get it clean. 

Over time, dirt, grime, grease, and stains can become deeply embedded into carpet fibers, and can be difficult to remove — especially if you’re unfamiliar with using 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 will know how to properly clean your carpet without damaging its color, fibers, or texture. If you have high-quality or delicate carpets you want to protect, it might be wiser to go with a pro than try to clean them yourself — especially one that offers a guarantee.

If you do clean your carpets using rental equipment, be extra sure that the equipment and technique you’re employing completely suctions up the water. The longer it takes for your carpets to dry, the more likely it is for mold, mildew, fungus, and other gross stuff to start growing in the fibers. A professional cleaning service should be able to extract the maximum amount of moisture for faster drying carpets.

Time, Labor, and Cost

If you do decide to rent carpet cleaning equipment for DIY cleaning, be prepared to spend time picking up and returning the rental as well as cleaning the carpets. Also be prepared for some hard work ahead of you, especially if the equipment is new to you. 

If you’re short on time and would rather spend your day doing something less labor-intensive, you may want to bring in a professional carpet cleaning service. Well trained, experienced technicians should be able to complete the carpet cleaning faster and do a more thorough job while they’re at it. Plus, they’ll save you the hassle of finding, renting, and returning the carpet cleaning equipment.

If you’re looking to save money, consider this. To really get that deep-clean, good-as-new carpet result, you’ll have to purchase the highest-quality cleaning solutions — ideally ones that are non-toxic and EPA-approved. When you weigh this cost against the cost of hiring professional carpet cleaners who bring their own solutions and equipment, you might find there’s not much difference in price. So do a little math and comparative shopping before you decide.

Carpet Odors

That odd smell in your space may be coming from your carpet. Carpet fibers tend to trap not just dirt but odors that can linger. Many of these smells, like the ones that come from pet accidents, can be stubborn and resistant to home cleaning solutions — including enzymatic cleaners. Even if you rent carpet cleaning equipment, you may not have access to the professional-grade cleaning solutions you need to eliminate odors.

Professional carpet cleaning services are generally better at removing offending smells. Look for a carpet cleaning service provider that uses advanced solutions as well as carpet deodorizing treatments specially formulated to remove odors as well as dirt, grease, and stains. 

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. Household solutions may not have the protective strength and lasting power you need. 

If minimizing future stains is a priority for you, you may want to call in the pros. When you do, be sure to ask them if they also offer protection against oil- and water-based stains for all kinds of carpet fabrics. You might also want to ask if the stain-resistant coatings they use 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 isn’t going to do you much good in these areas. 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.

Commercial Carpet Cleaning

If the carpets in your place of business need a deep cleaning, it’s usually best to hire a professional. The appearance of your business is critical to creating a good first impression to your guests and customers and a healthy, pleasant environment for your employees and tenants. Certified commercial carpet cleaners will know best how to get your business’s carpets properly and thoroughly cleaned, deodorized, sanitized, and protected, while also minimizing disruption.  

As a business owner, you can probably write off the cost of that carpet cleaning as well, lowering your taxes while freeing up your time for more important business activities. You should always talk to your accountant about the deductibility of carpet cleaning services, and be sure to keep your receipts.

Decide Before You DIY

When it comes to the longevity of your carpets and health of your environment, DIY carpet cleaning isn’t always the best option. Once you consider the time, cost, and inconvenience of renting and using carpet-cleaning equipment, it may end up making more sense to hire a professional carpet cleaning service. And you may end up happier with the results.

Before you go through the trouble of deep cleaning your carpets yourself, talk to a Pro. COIT’s certified technicians are here to consult with you on your needs, customize a plan for you, and make sure your carpet is professionally cleaned for a healthier home or business and peace of mind.