Some homeowners enjoy the satisfaction of tackling household tasks themselves. Others don’t enjoy cleaning at all, but believe the service is too expensive, so they get on with it in a bid to save money. When it comes to carpet cleaning, however, it’s important to consider the potential dangers of a DIY approach. While renting a carpet cleaner from your local hardware store may seem like a cost-effective option, it can actually end up causing more harm than good. What’s the worst thing that could happen, you’d say? Well, there are more than one issues that can arise and unfortunately, they could all lead to much costly consequences. Here’s a list of potential problems you could incur when you choose DIY carpet cleaning instead of hiring a professional service.
Risk of Over-wetting Carpets
One of the most common dangers of DIY carpet cleaning is over-wetting the carpet. Too much water can lead to mould growth, which can cause health problems and damage to the carpet and the flooring beneath it. If you wanted to simply freshen up your carpet and you happened to put too much water/liquid solution, you’ll end up with the exact opposite result.
Professionals use specialised equipment and techniques to ensure that carpets are cleaned thoroughly without becoming overly saturated.
Use of Wrong Cleaning Products
Using the wrong cleaning products can also be an issue when attempting to clean your carpets yourself. Many over-the-counter cleaning products contain harsh chemicals that can damage carpets, cause discoloration, or even leave behind residue that attracts more dirt and stains. Furthermore, different fabrics can and should be treated with different products. More delicate fibres will simply burn, melt or dissolve upon application of a strong chemical. Professional carpet cleaning companies use safe and effective products that are gentle on your carpet and your family.
Inadequate Equipment
Home carpet cleaning machines lack the power and expert equipment that professional cleaners use. These machines often do not have enough suction to extract all the dirt, debris, and moisture from the carpet. Specialised equipment is designed to thoroughly clean and extract all dust bacteria, and allergens, leaving your carpets cleaner and healthier. If you are looking for a true positive change in the air quality at home, you’ll need professional treatment of the carpets.
Risk of Damaging Carpets
Cleaning carpets can be a delicate process, and without proper knowledge and experience, it is easy to cause damage. For example, using too much pressure or scrubbing too vigorously can cause permanent damage to the fibres of the carpet. Professional carpet cleaners are trained and experienced in cleaning carpets avoiding damage of this sort.
Wasting Time and Money
Finally, attempting to clean your carpets yourself can end up costing you more time and money in the long run. A DIY approach can take much longer and may not be as effective as hiring a professional. In addition, rental costs, cleaning products, and equipment can add up quickly, and there is no guarantee that you will achieve the desired results. Wouldn’t it be better just let the experts do what they are best at, while you sip your favourite drink or have a relaxing spa treatment at the nearby leisure centre?
As you can see, DIY carpet cleaning is not as simple as it may sound and certainly not as cheap as it would appear without proper research. We hope this article gave enough insights to consider hiring a professional carpet cleaning service when you next need it.