Regular cleaning can extend the life of the carpets in your Elkhorn rental properties. Even if it is an expensive maintenance item, shampooing carpets is necessary. But, it may not become so much of a hassle if you do it not more than once a year. One way to save on costs is to clean the carpets in your rental house yourself. Does the end justify the means, though? Informing yourself of the advantages and disadvantages of both professional and do-it-yourself carpet cleaning can serve to benefit you and your property well, especially when choosing which of the two options can cater best to your property needs.
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. The truck-mounted units are more powerful, extract water more efficiently, and lead to shorter drying times. They are often preferred by most, for good reason. However, renting or buying a steam cleaning machine might be more cost-friendly. Another way to cut costs is to use a smaller device on hand to address spills or accidents so that you only need a few touch-ups in between full cleanings of your carpet.
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 would. Should the task involve an entire rental house or large areas, it could cost you 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. How much cleaning solution should be used? This could be problematic, as others might use too little or too much. 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 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.
If you decide to hire a professional carpet cleaner or do it yourself, be sure that your decision is thorough and well informed, all for the benefit of you and your rental properties.
If all of these nitty-gritty details are a bit too much for you, our competent team of Elkhorn property managers at Real Property Management Legacy can help you, all so that you don’t have to go about this yourself. One of the services we do is regular maintenance. Save yourself the hassle! If you are interested in learning more or have additional questions, please contact us online or by phone at 402-983-8365 today.
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