At Home Living: Preparing for holiday guests with carpet cleaning

With the holidays approaching, many homeowners choose to spruce up dingy carpets ahead of the entertaining season. Ground in dirt, stubborn stains, and high traffic patterns can detract from the appearance of your home. A deep carpet cleaning can be an easy solution to these problems.

There are three basic options for residential carpet cleaning; professional cleaning, renting a cleaner from a local retail business, or purchasing a steam cleaner. The cleaning process for all three options is similar. A detergent solution is sprayed over the carpet, and then worked into the fibers. A vacuum removes the detergent solution along with water and dirt from the carpet. Effectiveness, economy, and convenience are factors that should be considered when deciding which of these options best suits your needs.

Hire a Professional

Professional cleaners use a truck-mounted steam cleaning system. First, a professional pre spray breaks down soil, then a chemical emulsifier lifts out dirt without creating suds as the water is heated to 200 degrees, which is the maximum temperature recommended by most carpet manufacturers. Consumers will want to check with their carpet manufacturer if their carpet is still under warranty, as the warranty can be voided in some cases if carpet is not cared for at the manufacturers specifications.

According to Dale Basel, president of Bobs Janitorial, water temperature and recovery are what set professional cleaners apart from do-it-yourself methods.

The vacuum on the truck is much more powerful than the vacuum in rental equipment, and it gets your carpet drier, said Basel. The rental equipment just leaves it in your carpet. This system removes water efficiently for quicker drying times, usually in 4 to 6 hours. The truck system uses its own water and electricity, and the chemicals are non-toxic and safe for children and pets.

Basel also points out that his employees are trained to use the equipment properly, which means less risk of over spraying carpets. Bobs Janitorial often runs coupons in the paper good for cleaning living room, dining room and hallway for $69.95.

Rent a Carpet Cleaner

There are several options around town for renting your own equipment if you would rather do-it-yourself. Sunflower Rental offers a steam cleaner rental price of $20/4 hours or $30/day.

A second option is to rent a Rug Doctor cleaning system, available at area Dillons grocery stores. A small cleaner is $26.99/24 hours of use. Rug Doctor also offers a wide-track version of the Rug Doctor for $29.99/24 hours, which promises to cut down on your cleaning time.

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At Home Living: Preparing for holiday guests with carpet cleaning