You pay a lot to live in NYC. In fact, buying a New York City home will cost you anywhere from $673 to $1,376 per square foot.
With these high prices, it only makes sense to keep your living space in tip-top shape. The question is, will DIY carpet cleaner methods cut it, or should a professional step in?
The truth is, both may be necessary to keep your carpeting clean and free of irritants, stains, and other trouble spots.
Read on to learn more about when DIY carpet cleaner is enough and when to call in the professionals.
When to Opt for DIY Carpet Cleaner Methods
There are certainly times when DIY carpet cleaning is A-okay. Ideally, you want to maintain a routine care schedule and take care of any minor stains as soon as they appear. Under these circumstances, doing it yourself is acceptable!
Routine Care
To extend the life of your carpeting, you want to make sure you’re giving it a light cleaning and a lift at least twice a month. For the most part, a standard household vacuum will do the trick.
Use your floor attachment to go over the majority of your carpet’s surface area. The goal is to remove any dust or grime that has settled onto the top layers of your carpet’s fibers. This will also give your carpet’s pile a bit of a lift.
Don’t forget to use a hose or nozzle attachment to tackle tight corners. Run the attachment along the edges where the carpet meets the baseboard. You can also use attachments to get under or behind heavy furniture.
Minor Stains
The best way to get rid of a stain is to address it immediately. However, the best DIY carpet cleaner for one stain may not be the best for another.
For example, oil-based stains like melted crayon or lipstick react best to rubbing alcohol. Meanwhile, organic matter like fruit juice requires a hydrogen peroxide bath. To tackle pet urine, create a DIY carpet cleaning solution out of 1 part white vinegar and 1 part warm water.
There are some commercial carpet cleaners available in stores that claim to tackle any stain. Chances are, this isn’t entirely accurate and you’re better off crafting your own green cleaner that will cater to the individual stain!
When to Call in the Professionals
So you’re ready to tackle the day-to-day stuff, but are there still times when a professional carpet cleaner is necessary? Professionals are recommended if you need a scheduled deep cleaning, are experiencing carpet-related health issues, or have a rug that requires special care.
Deep Cleaning
Carpet professionals and real estate professionals alike will tell you that an annual deep cleaning will extend your carpet’s life by several years. If the carpet in question undergoes a ton of foot traffic or wear and tear, you may even want to get a deep cleaning two or more times per year.
One of the safest and most effective ways to deep clean a carpet is to have it steam cleaned. Professional steam cleaning equipment can tackle even the deepest, most ground-in grime and dirt while bringing new life to your carpet’s pile.
You may be wondering, “Can I steam clean my own carpet?” The simple answer is yes, although it isn’t recommended. DIY steam cleaning methods are not as effective or safe and can actually damage your carpeting.
Carpet-Related Health Issues
A carpet that isn’t well maintained can trap air pollutants from dust mites to mold spores. Toxic gases coming in from the streets of the city can get caught in the particles that settle into your carpet’s fibers. When left untreated, these air pollutants can worsen respiratory issues such as asthma and seasonal allergies.
To make matters a bit more difficult, regular vacuuming can end up disturbing these pollutants, sending them into the air rather than trapping them. Simple acts such as walking across a dirty carpet can have the same effect.
If someone in your home is experiencing worsened symptoms from a respiratory issue they already had, the issue very well could be your carpet. Professional carpet cleaning can remove these pollutants without sending them back into the air. In the end, a deep professional clean will improve the overall air quality in your home or apartment.
Antique or Delicate Carpeting or Rugs
What happens if an antique or delicate rug gets dirty? Wool and oriental rugs don’t always take kindly to DIY carpet cleaning solutions or tough household vacuuming. Some methods may cause the fibers to break or the weave to loosen, resulting in a damaged or distorted looking rug.
Rather than trying to clean these unique rugs yourself, opt for a professional rug cleaning service. At Green Choice Carpet, we’ll even pick up your rug and drop it back off at no extra cost to you.
A Professional Carpet Cleaning Service You Can Trust
If you’re paying New York City prices for your home, you deserve quality cleaning services. Green Choice Carpet Cleaning is a family-owned, family-operated business that has been serving NYC and elsewhere for twenty years. We use clean, green carpet cleaning solutions to keep you safe, healthy, and happy.
Don’t be fooled by our name! We offer more than just carpet cleaning! We also provide upholstery cleaning services, too.
To get started with us, send us a note and we’ll send back a quote! We think you’ll be happy with our competitive prices and we know you’ll be thrilled with our cleaning expertise!