Regular cleaning can extend the life of the carpets in your Brewer rental properties. Even if it is an expensive maintenance item, shampooing carpets is necessary. But, it may not become so much of a hassle if you do it not more than once a year. One way to save on costs is to clean the carpets in your rental house yourself. Is it bang for your buck, though? Exploring the advantages and disadvantages of both professional and do-it-yourself carpet cleaning can hopefully help you arrive at a well-informed decision as to which one would suit your needs best.
Most people know that cleaning carpets will help remove stains and odors. But regular cleaning does more than that. It can restore the look and feel of carpets, especially nylon carpet, and remove deeply embedded dirt that a regular vacuum cleaner is unable to remove. For most carpets, manufacturers recommend using a hot water extraction method, often referred to as “steam cleaning.” This method deep cleans carpets by spraying hot water (often mixed with a cleaning solution) onto the carpet and then using strong suction to remove it, along with the dirt.
Most professional carpet cleaners, as well as do-it-yourself carpet cleaning machines, use the same hot water extraction method. But there are usually distinct differences in the process as well as the results. Professional carpet cleaners often use either a truck-mounted cleaning unit or a portable unit. The truck-mounted units, though, are more effective since they are more powerful, extract water more efficiently, and lead to shorter drying times. Another option would be renting or buying a steam cleaning machine. This option might be more viable for people who are trying to stick to a budget. Let’s say your carpet will only need a couple of touch-ups between full cleanings; you’ll only need a smaller device on hand to address small spills or accidents.
Do take note, however, that while the DIY route might be cost-effective and efficient, it also has disadvantages. Using a smaller personal machine does take more time than a professional cleaner typically would. What if you need to do an entire rental house or large areas? If you don’t mind spending a whole day dedicated to cleaning carpets, then it shouldn’t be much of a problem. Even with much effort, the results are likely to be less than ideal. Smaller carpet cleaning machines often don’t remove enough of the water from the carpet, so it can take carpets a very long time to dry. The longer the drying time, the higher the risk for complications like mold or further dirt collection, so using fans to speed the process is usually recommended. How much cleaning solution should be used? This could be problematic, as others might use too little or too much. Both can bring about a stiff carpet or an insufficient level of cleanliness.
While professional cleaning will usually give you good results, it does come at a price. The advanced technology and service professional carpet cleaners offer will cost more than trying to do it yourself. Deciding to look for bargain deals might be economical but at the risk and cost of running into anything between shoddy service and full scams. However, professional carpet cleaning is more efficient, takes less time to dry, and usually only takes a couple of hours (or less), depending on the area. If you tend to use the same company regularly, they might be willing to offer you a deal.
Get a good grasp of what you’re getting yourself into when you choose to either hire a professional carpet cleaner or do it yourself. Whichever the choice, it should benefit you and your rental properties.
To free you of the potential stress generated by these nitty-gritty details, our Brewer property managers at Real Property Management Acadia are ready to help you, so that you won’t have to do this yourself. One of the services we do is regular maintenance. Save yourself the hassle! If you are interested in learning more or have additional questions, please contact us online or by phone at 207-561-7482 today.
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