Compare DIY vs Hiring a Professional Carpet Cleaning Company

Hiring a Carpet Cleaner Overview

If you’re not inclined to try the DIY method, consider hiring a professional carpet cleaning service. Most carpet cleaning companies offer a variety of services, from compete carpet cleaning, to spot cleaning, to odor removal. But not all companies use the same method of cleaning.

There are four methods for residential carpet cleaning: shampooing, dry cleaning, foam cleaning and steam cleaning. Most companies specialize in one. There are pros and cons to each method, so make sure you understand the differences between them before hiring a cleaning company.

Carpet Cleaning Costs

The price of a professional carpet cleaning varies from one company to the next. Generally, $35 to $50 per room is a reasonable price. For a three-bedroom ranch with about 1,200 square feet of carpeting, the total cost would work out to $150 to $250.

Price is an important consideration when choosing a carpet cleaning service, but it shouldn’t be your only consideration. You might be able to find a company that will clean that same three-bedroom ranch for $100, but the cleaning is likely to be sub-par.

Professional Carpet Cleaning Pros

• Saves time/effort - When you hire a professional, all of the hard work is done for you. A carpet cleaning service can move your furniture, clean the carpets until they look new again and even put the furniture back in place.
• Professional quality - It’s hard to match the quality of a professional carpet cleaning. Carpet cleaning services are experts in restoring your carpet to like-new condition. With DIY cleaning, the results are usually not as spectacular.

Professional Carpet Cleaning Cons

• More expensive - Professional carpet cleaning is significantly more expensive than tackling the project yourself.

DIY Carpet Cleaning Overview

Most carpet manufacturers discourage DIY carpet cleaning because of the risks involved. If done improperly, it can permanently damage the carpet. However, many homeowners choose to tackle the project themselves to save money.

There are three popular methods of DIY carpet cleaning: steam cleaning, dry powder cleaning and dry foam. In most cases, you’ll need to either rent or purchase a carpet cleaning machine.

DIY Carpet Cleaning Costs

You can rent a carpet cleaning machine at a grocery store or hardware store for about $20 to $35 per day. Cleaning solution will run you an extra $15 to $20, and a hand tool attachment will add about $3 to the total price.

If you’re planning to purchase a carpet cleaning machine, budget at least $100 for a very basic model. Mid-range models usually cost $200 to $350. Heavy-duty commercial carpet cleaners start at about $500, but most models are priced from $1,000 to $3,000.

Pros of DIY Carpet Cleaning

• Saves money - Renting a carpet cleaning machine costs far less than hiring a professional carpet cleaning service. Even if you purchase a machine, you’ll save money in the long run.
• More control - With DIY carpet cleaning, you can decide when and how your carpets are cleaned. You can tackle the project at your convenience or even spread it out over a number of days. You can pay special attention to tough stains or high-traffic areas.

Cons of DIY Carpet Cleaning

• Hard work/time consuming - DIY carpet cleaning is hard work and it requires a significant time commitment. You have to move the furniture, spend at least the better part of a day cleaning the carpets, and then wait for the carpet to dry before moving the furniture back.
• Risk of damage - If you don’t understand proper cleaning techniques, you risk permanently damaging your carpet. Common mistakes include over-wetting, which can lead to mold and mildew, and using too much detergent, which can actually lead to faster resoiling.

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