Managing rental properties demands regular cleaning to extend the life of the carpets and preserve their look, but shampooing carpets can pile on expenses, particularly if it’s a recurring need throughout the year. One way to save on costs is to clean the carpets in your rental house yourself, stepping up to handle this chore directly. But does DIY really deliver the value you expect?
By learning more about the advantages and disadvantages of professional and do-it-yourself carpet cleaning, you can more confidently choose the right option for your properties.
What is required to keep carpets looking fresh?
Regular carpet cleaning is a game-changer—it removes stains and odors that can sour a rental house’s atmosphere and restores the carpet’s appearance by digging out dirt nestled deep within the fibers, out of reach for everyday vacuums. The go-to method, hot water extraction—often dubbed steam cleaning—uses hot water mixed with a cleaning solution sprayed onto the carpet, with strong suction to remove the dirt. Professional carpet cleaners and do-it-yourself machines both rely on hot water extraction to clean carpets, but their equipment sets them apart. Professionals bring powerful truck-mounted machines or portable units to the table, with truck-mounted machines excelling at extraction to ensure carpets dry faster. On the other hand, renting or buying a steam cleaning machine gives you a smaller machine, excellent for quick clean-ups when spills or accidents strike, acting as a stopgap until deep cleanings are scheduled.
Comparing DIY and Professional Cleaning
Choosing to clean the carpets in your rental house yourself can save on costs, a relief for those aiming to cut spending, but there are disadvantages to the DIY route that can throw a wrench in your plans. A smaller personal machine means more time spent than with a professional cleaner—cleaning the carpets in a full rental house could take a solid day or longer, depending on the size of the area, and the results may be less than satisfactory. Smaller carpet cleaning machines often leave too much water behind, causing a long time to dry and opening the door to mold or further dirt collection; fans to speed the process can help. Using too much or too little cleaning solution might leave you with stiff carpets or inadequate cleanliness, making DIY less appealing for deep cleanings compared to professional-grade work.
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. While attempting to clean your carpets yourself might ease short-term costs, professional cleaning brings lasting quality, though bargain offers can risk poor service or scams. A pro move: hire a professional carpet cleaner consistently from the same cleaning company—they may offer you a discount, tying neatly into your property management services.
Deciding whether to hire a professional carpet cleaner or use do-it-yourself machines comes down to understanding what each brings to your rental properties. Regular cleaning extends carpet life and saves on costs by avoiding early wear-out, with professional cleaning ideal for deep cleanings that impress, and a smaller machine suited for quick clean-ups after spills or accidents. Pick the path that fits your needs best.
For a seamless solution to cleaning the carpets, the New Bedford property management experts at Real Property Management Success provide property management services that ensure excellent results without the headache. Get in touch with us online or call 774-840-5140 today to boost your rental house care.
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