Professional Carpet Cleaning vs. At-Home Carpet Cleaning: Unveiling the Differences

Carpets, with their soft textures and vibrant colours, add warmth and comfort to our homes and offices, but over time they do accumulate dirt, dust, stains, and odours. We always strongly suggest regularly cleaning your carpets, but we can’t deny that giving them a deep clean is also a good idea to keep them looking new and to prolong their lifespan. Most carpet warranties even require it!

Now, when it comes to deep cleaning, there are two routes to choose: professional or at-home cleaning. In this article we’ll explore the key differences between these two approaches to help you make an informed decision about which one suits your needs best.

Benefits of Professional Carpet Cleaning

Expertise and Customized Approach:

Professional carpet cleaners have seen it all and so they come well-equipped with the knowledge on how to clean all kinds of carpet. They’ll know the most effective cleaning agents and techniques to prevent damage or discolouration done to the carpet fibres.

Advanced Equipment:

High-powered steam cleaners, hot water extraction machine, and industrial grade vacuum cleaners; the professional will have everything that’s needed to do a proper job of cleaning your carpets beyond just a superficial clean. 

Deep Cleaning & Stain Removal:

Professional cleaning methods are designed to provide a deeper clean than at-home methods. With their knowledge and equipment, cleaners are able to remove tough stains, pet odours, and allergens that are difficult to tackle with DIY projects.

Convenience:

Once scheduled, hired professionals will do a lot of the heavy lifting which means you save time. There’s also less drying time so furniture can be moved back into place sooner.

At-Home Carpet Cleaning

Cost-effectiveness:

Generally more budget-friendly than hiring professionals, it's possible to get the materials like spot removers and brushes for a fraction of the cost of professional services. In the case of carpet cleaners, some places will rent them so you don’t have to buy one outright.

DIY Control:

When you do it yourself, you control the process. That means you can decide what cleaning agent to use and whether you want to focus on a specific area of your home. An issue that may arise is consistency or missed spots (like stairs) so be sure to take all areas into account when preparing to clean.

Learning Experience:

If you’re someone who enjoys being hands-on with the care and maintenance of your home, then this might be the right option for you. You’ll learn a lot about carpet cleaning which can help with those day-to-day messes.

Conclusion

We often suggest a hybrid of at-home maintenance and a yearly professional cleaning to elongate the life of your carpet. Choosing between professional and at-home cleaning depends on a number of factors such as budget, the condition of your carpet, and time. Both methods also come with their pros and cons and so we suggest you take some time to decide what works best for you. If you're ever not sure how best to take care of your carpet, you can always talk to one of our expert Flooring Advisors to get the advice you need.