Carpet Cleaning - "Just Rent A Rug Doctor And Clean It Yourself" - A True Story

Reputable professional carpet cleaners really work hard to provide the finest possible service for their clients. They spare no expense when it comes to the cleaning agents purchased or the equipment that is used. It's not uncommon to pull up to a client's home in a rig that costs over $60,000. Some even bring 100 gallons of softened water with them to each job to provide a more thorough rinse that assures no residue is left behind to attract soil.

I mention these facts for a particular a reason. It was prompted by a conversation I overheard one beautiful late summer day last year.

We occasionally clean apartments for an apartment complex. The property manager normally cleans the apartment after a tenant leaves, including the carpeting. However, she knew that in this instance, she knew that there was no way she would even come close to getting the carpeting clean again using her little machine.

The apartment was a wreck. I've been in the cleaning industry for many years. And it never ceases to amaze me how inconsiderate and downright destructive people can be with property that doesn't belong to them. In this apartment, the previous tenants had really outdone themselves: Spills and stains abounded. In some places, you couldn't even tell what color the carpet was. It was so bad, the property manager had called the owners to say that the carpet would most likely have to be replaced... it was that bad.

So, we get there and begin to set up; getting out hoses, sprayers and a multitude of cleaning agents to remove the myriads of spots and stains. While we were busy getting ready, a curious tenant wandered up and started to talk with the property manager who had just let us into the apartment.

It was during the course of their talking that we heard the above-mentioned phrase by this well-meaning neighbor: "Just rent a Rug Doctor, clean it yourself and save the money".

And it got me to thinking. Why do people think they can do the same quality job with a machine that has a fraction of the cleaning power we use?

Here's my theory: Because most people think, "Anyone can clean carpet - what's so complicated about it?" You go to the store, rent a machine and... 'Poof'... you're a carpet cleaner. Because you CAN do it yourself, many feel they can also get the SAME RESULTS that we do. Ah... if only it were that easy.

Can you wire an entire house? Can you repair or install plumbing? Can you build a pole barn? Then, by golly, you can clean carpet, too! NOT!

Even the largest carpet manufacturer in the world (Shaw) will tell you: Don't do it yourself! They tell you to hire a certified professional cleaner. In fact, beginning in 2008, they will INSIST that you hire only certified carpet cleaners to clean their product or you will void part of your warranty.

By the way, the carpet was saved and it cleaned up beautifully... but, hey, that's what pros do!