Call The Carpet Cleaners Or Do It Yourself?

When should you hire carpet cleaners and when should you attempt a do-it-yourself job? There are some things that should always be left to the professionals and that are worth the extra cash. As long as you use the proper techniques, there is generally no harm in attempting to remove a stain on your own. If it doesn’t work, however, it is best to leave the job to carpet cleaners who have the resources and time to permanently remove stubborn stains.

You have a much better chance of removing any stain if you act as quickly as you can. Even the toughest stains can sometimes be caught. For liquid stains such as drinks, the important thing to do is use a cloth or paper towel to blot the area. Refrain from rubbing as that can push the liquid further into the carpeting, making it even more difficult to pick up later on. Continue blotting until the cloth or towel comes up clean or fairly dry. Then, use a damp sponge or different cloth to pick up any remaining residues.

For thicker liquids or stains that solidify or stick, use the edge of an object such as a spoon or fork to lift the edges up from the carpet fibers. Avoid using something that is too sharp like a knife as that could cause further damage. Peel away what you can, careful to stop if it appears as if the carpet is being pulled with it. Use a wet brush or sponge to loosen any leftover debris and lift it away.

While soda, juice, and some foodstuffs can be picked up fairly quickly, if you want to ensure a stain is removed without a trace, or you need to tackle a trickier substance, you must either use stronger products or call professional carpet cleaners. Stains such as blood, wax, oil, red wine, ink and lipstick can all be difficult to impossible to remove, even with the strongest chemicals. The time and money you invest in buying and using the right products for mediocre results usually isn’t worth the trouble. In these cases it is best to tackle what you can on your own, and then call carpet cleaners immediately. As with any stain, fast action is the key to a clean removal.

Emergency stains aside, it is recommended to have carpet cleaners give your home a professional cleaning twice a year or as needed. If you have pets, children, or entertain guests often it would be wise to have this type of intensive cleaning more often. If you do need to hire a professional, it is important to do a little research first. There are many companies that use bait and switch tactics, improper cleaning methods, or cheap machinery that is ineffective. Watch out for deals that seem too good to be true or professionals who do a sub-par job. Your carpet may look clean initially, but old stains and dirt will quickly resurface, as they were not adequately removed.