Why You Should Hire a Pro to Clean Your Carpets

I'll be honest here, I probably do not deep clean my carpets as often as I should. I have plenty of excuses why I put this task off, sometimes right up until my last day in my apartment even if I have lived in the same place for years. This is not to say my house unkempt - I actually do keep a tidy house and vacuum my carpets frequently. Sometimes, I may even get a carpet shampooer and do it myself but I am always left with the feeling that maybe that isn't enough.

As it turns out, that feeling is probably pretty spot on. Personal vacuums and carpet cleaning systems may get the surface dirt and can even dislodge some of the ground in dirt and other nasties. They may even help remove some surface stains. The problem, though, is that most of these products simply do not clean deep enough to remove layers of accumulated dirt. Additionally, the carpet cleaners on the market may or may not be the best tool for the job you need to be done.

This is why I recommend bringing in the professionals at least once a year to give your carpets the deep cleaning they deserve.

Types of Carpet Cleaning

There are many methods a professional carpet cleaner may use, so it is important to know the differences in each technique to achieve the best clean for your carpets. 

Hot Water Extraction

Better known as steam cleaning, this technique uses a machine to send high-pressure hot water and cleaning chemicals deep into the carpet to lift dirt and stains. Once the agitation process is completed, the carpet is rinsed thoroughly and dries in a few hours. 

Good for: Stain removal, deep cleaning, move out cleaning, annual cleaning

Dry Cleaning

This process uses a dry cleaning chemical that removes stains and debris but does not require rinsing. Because it does not involve water, this method takes no time to dry. Instead, the compound used is applied to the carpets then vacuumed up, taking 

Good for: Deep cleaning, regular cleaning, annual cleaning

Bonnet Cleaning

This type of carpet cleaning removes dirt, debris, and minor stains from the surface level of your carpet. The machine uses a quickly rotating head and detergent to clean the carpets. It takes very little time to dry but does not clean deeply, so it wouldn't be a good option for annual or move-out cleaning.

Good for: Light cleaning, regular cleaning

Encapsulation

Similar to dry cleaning, encapsulation uses a compound that attracts dirt and sponges it up. Once dry, simply vacuum it up or remove it with a brush. It is convenient and quick as far as home carpet cleaning goes, but doesn't clean deeply and may not remove stains as well as other methods. 

Good for: Light cleaning, surface cleaning, regular cleaning

Shampooing

This method used to be very common for both professional and non-professional carpet cleaning. In fact, most carpet cleaners that you can buy are shampooers. However, shampooing has many pitfalls that make it very unpopular as a cleaning method including extended drying times and chemicals left in the carpet after cleaning. It's not the most practical or effective option for carpet cleaning.

Good for: Deep cleaning - but there are better methods available

Although there are do-it-yourself machines available, a professional will have the machinery, know-how, and most importantly, the time to clean your carpets properly. And if you are as busy as I am, knowing that your carpets have been cleaned properly to reduce allergens, dust mites, dirt and other nasties is more than worth the cost of hiring a professional.