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By Elite Carpet Cleaning 3-23-2021

Pros and Cons of Do It Yourself Carpet Cleaning

Have you been considering doing a weekend project of carpet cleaning? Denver has a number of locations that rent out equipment. There is also the option of spending around $300 and purchasing a machine at your local department store. The question that arises from this is how well do these machines work, and is there a monetary benefit to doing your own carpet cleaning in Denver? We will consider the pros and cons of do-it-yourself carpet cleaning.

First, there are some cons to doing your own carpet cleaning in Denver.

There are 3 issues that come up with do-it-yourself machines that separate them from professional equipment.

  • Equipment: The problem with the machines that you can rent, or buy at the local supermarket or hardware store is that they don’t get the water hot enough to truly get your carpet deeply cleaned. They don’t have the suction power to fully remove the dirt and grime from your carpet. A typical do-it-yourself machine costs roughly $300. A quality professional portable machine costs around $4,000, and most cleaners typically spend nearly $18,000 for a professional truck mount unit. Which of these systems do you think does a better job? If all of them worked the same do you think professional cleaners would spend the money for a truck mount when a $300 machine would do the same job?
  • Quality of cleaners: The quality of the cleaners that come with a do-it-yourself machine is another issue. These over-the-counter cleaners are designed as universal products that anyone can use and will not damage their carpet. Your local carpet cleaning professional has access to much more effective cleaners that are not sold to the public. These cleaners are supplied to qualified professionals because when used correctly they do a far better job of cleaning than any over-the-counter cleaner, but if used incorrectly they can damage your carpet.
  • Time: The question to ask yourself is “How much is my time worth?” Do you really want to try and save a few dollars by going out renting equipment, learning how to use it, doing the actual work, then cleaning up and taking the equipment back? Is it really worth it?

The end result of do-it-yourself carpet cleaning may be a rug that looks clean, but there is still dirt and environmental pollutants in it. Another thing to think about is dry time. One of our customers had previously rented a machine and did her own carpet cleaning. Even though Denver has a dry climate, and she did the carpet cleaning in the summer, her carpets were wet for 3 days.

With what we just mentioned, what are the pros of do-it-yourself carpet cleaning?

There are in our opinion 2 pros of renting or owning a carpet cleaning machine.

  • Emergency use: This is especially true of owning a small handheld, or upright machine. This machine is perfect for doing carpet upkeep, meaning you will not have to call that Denver carpet cleaner as much. These are lifesavers when a drink or some food is accidentally spilled on the carpet. If you have a pet, one of these little carpet cleaning machines is vital. Why do we recommend this? Because the longer a spot sits on your carpet the less likely it is to clean off. If you can treat it right away, and you Scotchgard your carpet once a year, there is a good chance you will remove all of the spots.
  • Light Interim Cleaning: Interim cleaning is really where a do-it-yourself machine finds its niche. If you want your carpets to be cleaned every couple of months, and don’t want to hire a professional company to do the work, a do-it-yourself carpet cleaning machine might be what you need. Just remember that interim means not very dirty, more of a maintenance cleaning. If you are moving out of an apartment, or have not cleaned your carpet in over a year these machines won’t do. Even when doing regular interim cleaning we recommend hiring a professional carpet cleaning company in the Denver area to do thorough cleanings every 12-18 months.

We understand that times are tough, and to hire a properly trained professional company is more than the cost of renting a machine at your local grocery or hardware store, but when you add up the machine rental, cleaners, and especially your time (yes your time is valuable and should be part of the cost equation)and compare it with the quality of what you are getting, you find the real VALUE of what you are getting. In the end, it is your decision to make, and ensuring that you understand the true value of what you are getting will help you make that decision.

Are you thinking about hiring a carpet cleaning company in Denver? Your satisfaction is our top priority, which is why we offer a risk-free money-back guarantee. Feel free to take a look at our certifications. You can book online or give us a call today!

By Elite Carpet Cleaning 3-11-2021

How do you self treat spots in your carpet without damaging it

At Elite Carpet Cleaning and Repair, we are focused on providing each customer a smooth and worry-free experience.In line with this, we created a 5Star Guarantee to make sure you are satisfied before, during, and after our work is done.

Keeping our homes’ environment clean and healthy is a top priority. That is why we tidy it up, clean regularly, and periodically bring in professional cleaning services. A carpet cleaning service is definitely a periodic service, but spots and spills are everyday occurrences. How can you treat these everyday issues yourself? These are a few tips to help you to treat the spot without increasing the damage to your carpet. No one can guarantee 100% successful removal, or that a permanent color change won’t happen. Proceed with caution, and remember, when in doubt, call a professional.

Understand what is happening on a chemical level

Every spot presents its own unique chemical and PH challenges. A general understanding of PH and of most common carpet materials is invaluable when dealing with any spot in your carpet. Properly treating those spots is critical to prevent carpet damage.

The PH scale measures acidity and alkalinity on a scale of zero to 14. The midpoint, 7, is neutral. Anything between zero and 6.9 is an acid. Anything from 7.1 to 14 is alkaline. The PH scale is also logarithmic, meaning that the difference between two consecutive numbers is a value of 10. An acid having a PH of 5 is ten times stronger than an acid with a PH of 6.

Points to Consider When Treating Carpet Spots

  • It takes an opposite to neutralize. Apply an alkaline to neutralize an acid, and vise versa. Pay attention to the PH of any cleaner you use. Most household soils are acidic, registering between 3 and 7 on the PH scale. How does this help in treating spots in your own carpet?
  • One example: A common idea for DIY spotters is to use white vinegar. But vinegar is an acid, and if you are dealing with an acidic spot, (fresh pet urine for example), you are not neutralizing the contaminant, and the vinegar will not be as effective as the appropriate alkaline cleaner.

Carpet chemistry and materials: The most popular types of carpet installed in homes today are composed of either wool or nylon. Knowing what your carpet is made of will help you treat spots.

  • Wool Carpet: Only use a neutral spotter. The safe PH range for wool is 4.5-8.5. Any solution with a lower PH will bleach the wool; a solution with a PH above this range will yellow it, and may completely dissolve the fibers. Never use vinegar or ammonia on your wool carpeting!
  • Nylon Carpet: Nylon carpet is dyed in an acid bath. An acidic PH helps the dyes stick to the fibers. Nylon carpets can be damaged by acids, but not as easily as wool, so a carefully diluted white vinegar solution can be used to remove alkaline soils. High Alkaline PH can destabilize the dyes in nylon carpet. Don’t use anything above 10. For example, ammonia is 12, and applying it undiluted on your carpet may remove a dirty area, but it will also strip the dye from your carpet fibers, leaving a bleached spot.

Important Tip When Treating a Spot

Avoid Optical Brighteners: Consumers are learning to avoid laundry soap that contains optical brighteners, but most people don’t realize that household, over-the-counter carpet and upholstery spot removers are also loaded with them.

Why are they bad for your carpet? An optical brightener is a clear dye that acts as a chemical mirror. Optical brighteners cause the following problems:

  1. They don’t actually clean:When applied to an area of soiled carpet, they will make the carpet look “clean,” but all that has changed is how the light is reflected. The area appears brighter, so you think it is clean.
  2. Permanent dye: The optical brighteners are a clear dye. Once they are in your carpet, they cannot be removed. They also break down and turn yellow, leaving an ugly, discolored patch in your carpet.
  3. They prevent a professional from being able to treat the spot: The soiled area can no longer be cleaned. This is because the optical brightener dye has created a barrier, preventing any possibility for professional removal of the original spot.
  4. Professional carpet cleaning will not look as good: The area dyed by the optical brighteners will not match the rest of the carpet and will become more noticeable after professional cleaning.

Can you have a professional clean it for free?

Yes, you can! Most people don’t realize that there are certain warranties attached to products that professional carpet cleaners use. The most outstanding is Scotchgard’s® warranty. The warranty is simple: When you purchase Scotchgard® and have it applied by a certified professional, the purchase includes a one-year spot and spill warranty. After cleaning the carpet and applying the protectant, reputable carpet cleaning companies will also provide a complimentary bottle of spot remover. Any new spill that you cannot clean with the spotter should be cleaned by your carpet cleaning company at no charge to you.

How do you make sure you get your warranty?

  1. Before you hire, ask your service provider what brand of carpet protectant will be used. Ask what kind of warranty comes with the protectant.
  2. Get your documentation. Scotchgard® provides a warranty card for consumers as proof of purchase and warranty.

CATEGORIES: Carpet Cleaning