DIY vs Professional Carpet Cleaning: What is best for your home?

The noble carpet, it is in our homes, and gives you the warmth and slip-free surface that is great for kids and pets. However, for anyone who has had to clean carpets can tell you, they are not the easiest to keep clean. As the best carpet cleaning company in Edmonton, Alberta, we have seen it all. So, we thought we would take the time and break down DIY vs professional carpet cleaning with six specific categories to get to the bottom of which is better for your home. 

1. Cost Comparison

Naturally, the first thing we should touch on is the cost. Professional carpet cleaning is a more expensive endeavour and will typically run between $100-$300, depending on the size of the home. However, the investment does provide a deeper clean and can extend the life of an old carpet without having to replace the fibres themselves. 

Compare this to DIY, where you will need to purchase the cleaning materials and machine, or rent one from Rona, Home Depot or Canadian Tire. You can expect the cost to be between $100 and $150. The machine will provide a decent clean, although it lacks the power of industrial carpet cleaners. 

2. Cleaning Power 

Speaking of cleaning power, the difference between professional and consumer machines is quite a lot. Consumer machines will have less suction and will need to run over deep stains multiple times before they can lift the stain for good. Compare this to professional machines, which will do deeper cleaning, be better at stain removal and faster drying. This will leave your carpet cleaner and refreshed. 

3. Drying Time 

As we noted, drying time is a difference between professional and consumer machines, and for carpets, this matters. As carpets are fibrous, water can sit deep within the carpet and start to attract mould and allergens. This moisture is hard to get out, especially if it is a thicker carpet or if we are dealing with some high-humidity days in the summer. Professional carpet cleaning machines use less water during operation, and suck up more water and debris than consumer machines. Leaving your carpet clear of any excess water which eliminates the concern for mould or mildew growth. 

4. Cleaning Solutions 

What you use to clean your carpets matters, and when you are doing it yourself, you are going to be limited to store-bought cleaners that do not pack a powerful punch. Whether you are looking for a green cleaner or something more chemically advanced, the cleaners available at the hardware store will do an okay job, but not an excellent one. Compare this to a professional cleaner who can access industrial-strength cleaners that are designed for your specific type of carpet. The clean is next-level and will not hurt your carpet or your home like other generic store cleaners can. 

5. Professional Results

If you have ever had your home cleaned by a professional, you know that there is a difference between what you can do and what they can do. This is the same with carpets. Even with a great vacuum and an expensive consumer carpet cleaning machine, you will still have dirt left, and your carpet will look roughly the same. Compare this to a professional clean where you can enjoy a thoroughly cleaned carpet that provides your fibres a refresh that makes it look like new again. 

6. Risk of Improper Cleaning 

As a homeowner, your carpet might just seem like a carpet. But to the eyes of a trained professional, we can tailor your cleaning to your specific carpet type and length. There is a significant risk of carpet damage from improper balance of cleaning chemicals, overcleaning, and improper use of a carpet cleaning machine, potentially causing irreparable damage. For professionals, this is not an issue. With years of experience in dealing with all kinds of carpets, we can customize our cleaning approach to better refresh your space and ensure that your carpet is in perfect condition once we are done cleaning it. 

As you can see, professional carpet cleaning is worth the investment. Whether you are looking for a deeper clean, need to remove stains, or simply want to achieve a proper uniform look for a party or staging, professional carpet cleaning is the best thing you can do for your flooring. With Edmonton Furnace and Carpet Care, we can help ensure that your next carpet service is one that actually delivers a deep and thorough clean. With professional tools and eco-friendly industrial cleaners, you will finally be able to take a deep breath of fresh air once we've finished cleaning your old, dusty carpet.