Regular cleaning can extend the life of the carpets in your Cleveland Park rental properties. Though shampooing carpets may be an expensive maintenance item, it shouldn’t be much of an issue if you don’t do it more than once a year. One way to save on costs is to clean the carpets in your rental house yourself. Nevertheless, is it that big of a deal? Researching the advantages and disadvantages of both professional and do-it-yourself carpet cleaning will lead you to a more thorough decision-making process.
Most people know that cleaning carpets will help remove stains and odors. But regular cleaning does more than that. It can restore the look and feel of carpets, especially nylon carpet, and remove deeply embedded dirt that a regular vacuum cleaner is unable to remove. For most carpets, manufacturers recommend using a hot water extraction method, often referred to as “steam cleaning.” This method deep cleans carpets by spraying hot water (often mixed with a cleaning solution) onto the carpet and then using strong suction to remove it, along with the dirt.
Most professional carpet cleaners, as well as do-it-yourself carpet cleaning machines, use the same hot water extraction method. But there are usually distinct differences in the process as well as the results. Professional carpet cleaners often use either a truck-mounted cleaning unit or a portable unit. If you want a better outcome, though, the truck-mounted units might be a better option. They are more powerful, extract water more efficiently, and lead to shorter drying times. Another option would be renting or buying a steam cleaning machine. This option might be more viable for people who are trying to stick to a budget. Let’s say your carpet will only need a couple of touch-ups between full cleanings; you’ll only need a smaller device on hand to address small spills or accidents.
But, going down the DIY route will have its fair share of disadvantages. Using a smaller personal machine does take more time than a professional cleaner typically would. If the maintenance entails an entire rental house or large areas, it could mean spending a whole day just cleaning the carpets. Despite all of the effort put into it, the results are likely to be less than ideal. Smaller carpet cleaning machines often don’t remove enough of the water from the carpet, so it can take carpets a very long time to dry. The longer the drying time, the higher the risk for complications like mold or further dirt collection, so using fans to speed the process is usually recommended. An issue that’s likely to occur is the use of too much or too little cleaning solution. Too little or too much can lead to a stiff carpet or an insufficient level of cleanliness.
While professional cleaning will usually give you good results, it does come at a price. The advanced technology and service professional carpet cleaners offer will cost more than trying to do it yourself. Bargain deals might save you a few bucks, but you run the risk of diving into anything between shoddy service and full scams. However, professional carpet cleaning is more efficient, takes less time to dry, and usually only takes a couple of hours (or less), depending on the area. If you tend to use the same company regularly, they might be willing to offer you a deal.
Think about yourself and your rental properties when you decide to either hire a professional carpet cleaner or do it yourself. Different choices lead to different outcomes. Choose well!
These nitty-gritty details might intimidate you. You don’t have to go about them all by yourself. Allow our team of Cleveland Park property managers at Real Property Management Washington DC to assist you! We do regular maintenance service so we can save you the trouble of doing so. To know more about what we can do for you, please contact us online or give us a ring at 202-813-9993.
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