Carpets are a common item for the home and many people choose them for their floors because they are both practical and stylish. Apart from comfort, they are also great at providing insulation during the cold months. However, the problem with carpets is that they tend to collect dirt and dust.
On top of that, spills can occur and the carpet will end up with ugly stains. Thus, carpets can smell bad and look worn over time. When that happens, you have a choice of hiring a professional cleaner or buying an appliance to do the cleaning yourself. But is it worth investing in a carpet cleaner in the long run?
NB: This post contains affiliate links which will enable us to earn some commission if you click and buy.
The Pros Of Investing In A Carpet Cleaner
There are a few reasons why it may be worth the money to invest in a carpet cleaner and these include:
Cost Savings
The most obvious cost savings would be the reduced or even complete elimination of the need for professional cleaning services. Each time you hire a cleaner, you will need to fork out some money and this naturally adds up over the long run. Depending on which model of carpet cleaner you buy and the size of the area to be cleaned, you can probably recoup back your investment after 2 to 3 rounds of cleaning.
Even if you still need professional services, you can stretch this out if you do your own cleaning on a regular basis. Thus, investing in a carpet cleaner makes sense monetary-wise especially if you are particular about hygiene or have young kids at home that necessitates frequent cleaning.
Convenience
Obviously, having your own carpet cleaner means you can clean whenever you want. You will no longer need to arrange an appointment for cleaners to come and wait for them to arrive and complete their task. Even if you rent a machine, you still have to pick it up and return it when you are done. Hence, having your own machine saves you time and all the unnecessary hassles.
Furthermore, you can clean any spills and get rid of the stains immediately rather than having to wait for professional cleaners to turn up if you have your own carpet cleaning machine.
Better Air Quality
By cleaning your carpet more regularly, you will naturally have better air quality in your home. This may not be an issue for those who are not so sensitive to lower air quality but it may be critical for people with allergies and respiratory problems. Carpets are notorious for accumulating dirt, dust, and allergens. Hence, increased cleaning frequency will help to reduce these particles in your home and improve overall hygiene and cleanliness.
Choosing Your Own Cleaning Products
If you do your own cleaning, it follows that you would have a choice when it comes to cleaning solutions. You can buy those that is best for your type of carpet and the stains that you want to remove. For those who prefer eco-friendly options or less harsh chemicals, having your own carpet cleaner will give you that flexibility and control.
On the other hand, hiring a professional cleaner won’t allow you to have as many options. The range of cleaning products offered may be very limited, if at all. While most of us may not fuss over the cleaning products used, it is still another good reason why it is worth it to invest in a carpet cleaner as you have that control to choose what you want to use on your carpet.
Longer Carpet Lifespan
Replacing your carpets can cost thousands. Therefore, it makes sense to prolong their lifespan as much as possible. One of the ways to do so is regular cleaning. Since a carpet will trap dirt and debris, they can make it look dirty and old apart from wearing down the fibers.
Thus, cleaning will remove the stains and particles that get stuck in the carpet. This will make it look newer and fresher as well as extend its lifespan.
Ease Of Use
With technological advances, carpet cleaners nowadays are not only affordable, but also easy to use. There is also a wide range of models available for people with different needs and budgets. For instance, if you live in a small apartment, you wouldn’t need a big capacity cleaner that someone who lives in a big house would require.
Present carpet cleaners are designed to be user-friendly and easy to handle. We are long past the era of bulky and heavy machines that buying a carpet cleaner and doing your own cleaning is no longer a difficult task nowadays.
The Cons Of Buying Your Own
While having your own machine has many advantages, there are also disadvantages of investing in one:
Storage
Carpet cleaners take up space. Hence, it may not be practical if you have a small home with limited storage available. After all, you will also need space for your vacuum cleaner, mops, brushes, and other cleaning tools. The carpet cleaner will also come with accessories and not to forget, you will also have to buy the required cleaning solutions. All these means more space need to be allocated to store them.
Upfront Cost
The top tier carpet cleaners for homes can cost up to $400 or more. This may not be feasible for those who have to live on a tight budget each month. Of course, there are cheaper models available on the market but it wouldn’t be able to beat the price of a rental.
Therefore, it may not be worthwhile to invest in a carpet cleaner if you don’t see the need to do regular cleaning. In this case, renting one once in a while may make more economic sense. However, sanitary issues with rental units may be a drawback here which you will need to consider.
Maintenance
It goes without saying that a carpet cleaner needs maintenance. You will need to empty the dirty water and wash the tank after each use. Just like how you need to remove dust from broom, you will also have to do the same with a carpet cleaner with all the particles and hair getting stuck on the brushes.
In other words, there is more to do after you have cleaned your carpet. The appliance itself requires cleaning which means more work is lined up for you if you use your own carpet cleaner. Apart from that, you might also need to replace parts due to wear and tear and this will cost money too.
Time-Consuming Chore
Doing your own cleaning is labor intensive and time-consuming. Just like doing dishes can kill your back with all the standing and bending that you have to do, carpet cleaning is even more physically demanding. This is especially so if you have a large carpeted area at home.
Basically, any cleaning is a chore. If you hate doing housework, investing in a carpet cleaner may end up being a waste of money if it is often left unused. Also, if you have back pain problem or other health issues that make cleaning difficult, a carpet cleaner may not be the right investment to make.
Should You Buy A Carpet Cleaner?
There are pros and cons of investing in a carpet cleaner as detailed above. Generally, it makes sense to buy one because it is useful not only for regular cleaning but also in removing stains and cleaning up spills. Sometimes, accidents happen especially when you have kids and pets. Thus. having one on hand is simply practical.
Perhaps the best way is to combine your own regular cleaning with an annual professional cleaning service. That will allow you to get the best of both worlds. You can still maintain a certain standard of cleanliness and hygiene with regular cleaning using your own machine. At the same time, a once-a-year professional cleaning will ensure the highest standard of care and hygiene for your carpets.
So, it is worth it to invest in a carpet cleaner if you can afford it. Provided, of course, you are ready to do the chore at regular intervals!
Leave a Reply