Should you clean your carpets yourself? 5 questions to help you decide
A quality deep cleaning can rid your carpet of stubborn stains, ground-in dirt, and pet accidents, while also eliminating dust, dander and allergens that can impact your home’s indoor air quality.
The leaves are on the ground and winter rains are creating mud puddles everywhere. Here in Nanaimo, we can also count on at least a few days of snow, which means sand, salt and ice melt tracked into the house, no matter hard we try to stop it at the door.
Add pets to the mix and … you get the picture: The season we’d rather keep outside quickly makes its way inside!
So, what does this mean for you? Dirt, mud and allergens settle into your carpets, rugs and furniture, making them dingy, shortening their lifespan and potentially worsening your indoor air quality.
A quality deep cleaning can rid your carpet of stubborn stains, ground-in dirt, pet accidents, spills, smells and other soiling, while also eliminating microbes, dust, dander and allergens that can impact your indoor air quality. It reduces wear and tear, and keeps your carpets and furnishings looking (and smelling) as good as new.
The question is, do you tackle the job yourself, or call in the professionals?
Q. How soiled are the carpets and when were they last cleaned?
For surface stains and carpets that have been deep-cleaned recently, you can probably clean it yourself, if you have the time and the right tools. With deeply soiled carpets, however, or carpets that haven’t had a proper cleaning in a while, even the best rental equipment may not get them looking their best.
Over time, dirt, grease and stains become embedded into carpet fibres and difficult to remove, so deep cleaning is recommended every six to 12 months. A certified, professional carpet cleaning service will use state-of-the-art equipment, with the right cleaning solutions for your carpets.
Professional carpet cleaners have the knowledge, experience and the right tools to properly clean your carpet without damaging its colour, fibres or texture. Photo courtesy COIT
Q. Do you have the knowledge to choose the right cleaner and technique for your unique carpet? Professional carpet cleaners have the knowledge, experience and the right tools to properly clean your carpet without damaging its colour, fibres or texture. If you have quality or delicate carpets you want to protect, a pro can give you confidence in the final result – especially one who offers a guarantee.
If you do take on the cleaning yourself, ensure your equipment and technique completely extracts the water. The longer it takes for carpets to dry, the more likely it is that mould, mildew and fungus can take hold. A professional cleaning service should extract the maximum amount of moisture for faster-drying carpets.
Q. Do you notice odours in your home? That odd smell may be coming from your carpet. Beyond trapping dirt and grime, carpet fibres also trap odours and many, like those from pet accidents, can be resistant to home cleaning solutions.
Professional carpet cleaning services are generally better at removing lingering smells. Look for someone who uses advanced solutions as well as carpet deodorizing treatments specially formulated to remove odours as well as grime.
Q. Do you want to preserve the clean? Once your carpets are clean, you’ll want to keep them that way. One effective way to help preserve the look is with a stain-resistant protective coating, but household solutions may not have the strength and lasting power you need.
If minimizing future stains is a priority, you’ll want to call in the pros, but be sure to ask if they also offer protection against oil- and water-based stains for all kinds of carpet fabrics. And if your home welcomes children and pets, it’s also a good idea to ask if the products are non-toxic and environmentally friendly.
Q. Do you have other soft furnishings that need cleaning? If you also have stairs, rugs, furniture, upholstery, window treatments and other soft surfaces that need cleaning, rental carpet cleaning equipment won’t do much good. Instead, opt 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.
Before you try to deep clean your carpets yourself, talk to the pros at COIT Cleaning and Restoration Services in Nanaimo at