Regular cleaning can extend the life of the carpets in your Newport News rental properties. Albeit an expensive maintenance item, shampooing carpets serves to extend its usefulness. It will only become a bit burdensome if you do it more than once a year. One way to save on costs is to clean the carpets in your rental house yourself. The question is, is it cost-effective? Don’t hesitate to make inquiries on the advantages and disadvantages of both professional and do-it-yourself carpet cleaning. In doing so, you will be making a more informed decision. This will lead you to the best option for your properties.
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. However, renting or buying a steam cleaning machine might be more cost-friendly. So as not to feel like maintenance is such a daunting task, know that your carpets only need a few touch-ups between full cleanings. You can use a smaller device on hand to address spills or accidents.
Be aware though that the DIY route also has its disadvantages. Using a smaller personal machine does take more time than a professional cleaner typically would. You could very well end up spending a whole day cleaning the carpets if you’re dealing with an entire rental house or large areas. Albeit a demanding task, 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. You could also potentially use too little or too much cleaning solution. Using too much or too little can cause problems like having 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 provide will cost more than trying to do it yourself. In hopes of saving a few dollars, others try to look for bargain deals. Not all of them are bad, but you do have to understand the risk of getting 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.
So, whatever it is you decide on, whether it’s to hire a professional carpet cleaner or do it yourself, know your options well enough to be secured in your decision — for you and your rental properties.
Too busy to get tangled up in these nitty-gritty details yourself? We have a team of Newport News property managers at Real Property Management Dominion ready to serve you. To relieve you of any possible hassle and stress, we’ve also included in our offerings, regular maintenance service. Please contact us online or call us at 757-395-4274 to learn more about how we can serve you.
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