For rental property owners, regular cleaning is a must to extend the life of the carpets and keep them in pristine shape, but shampooing carpets can pile on costs, especially if it’s needed several times a year. To save on costs, you might decide to clean the carpets in your rental house yourself, taking a hands-on approach to this chore. But is DIY the right move?
By learning more about the advantages and disadvantages of professional and do-it-yourself carpet cleaning, you can choose the right option for your properties, ensuring they remain both tenant-ready and cost-effective.
What is required to keep carpets looking fresh?
Regular carpet cleaning is a vital upkeep tactic—it removes stains and odors that can spoil a rental house’s vibe and restores the carpet’s appearance by clearing out dirt lodged deep within the fibers, beyond a standard vacuum’s grasp. Experts often recommend hot water extraction, also known as steam cleaning, which sprays hot water mixed with a cleaning solution onto the carpet, then uses strong suction to remove the dirt. Professional carpet cleaners and do-it-yourself machines both rely on hot water extraction to clean carpets, though their tools differ significantly. Professionals use powerful truck-mounted machines or portable units, with truck-mounted machines excelling at ensuring carpets dry faster. Alternatively, renting or buying a steam cleaning machine offers a smaller machine, ideal for quick clean-ups after spills or accidents, providing a practical solution between deep cleanings.
Comparing DIY and Professional Cleaning
Opting to clean the carpets in your rental house yourself can save on costs, a big advantage for keeping expenses manageable, but there are disadvantages to the DIY route that can’t be ignored. A smaller personal machine takes longer than a professional cleaner—cleaning the carpets across a rental house might consume a full day or more, depending on the size of the area, with results that may be less than satisfactory. Smaller carpet cleaning machines often fail to remove enough water, leading to a long time to dry and risks like mold or further dirt collection; using fans to speed the process is a wise step. Too much or too little cleaning solution can result in stiff carpets or inadequate cleanliness, making DIY less effective for deep cleanings compared to professional expertise.
Evaluating Professional Carpet Cleaning
While professional cleaning typically yields excellent results, it does come at a higher cost. Professional carpet cleaners use advanced technology and techniques, which can be more expensive than attempting to clean your carpets yourself. If you look for bargain deals, be cautious, as this can lead to poor service or scams. However, opting for professional carpet cleaning is usually more efficient. It dries more quickly and typically takes only a couple of hours (or less), depending on the size of the area. If you consistently use the same cleaning company, they may be willing to offer you a discount.
Deciding whether to hire a professional carpet cleaner or use do-it-yourself machines depends on understanding what each offers your rental properties. Regular cleaning extends carpet life and saves on costs by preventing early wear, with professional cleaning perfect for deep cleanings that deliver impressive results and a smaller machine suited for quick clean-ups after spills or accidents. Weigh your needs to make the best choice.
For expert cleaning the carpets, the Irvine property management experts at Real Property Management Citadel offer property management services that provide excellent results effortlessly. Get in touch with us online or call 949-202-1500 today to improve your rental house maintenance.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
