8 Reasons Why a DIY Carpet Cleaner May Do More Harm Than Good

From stains and spots to wear and tear, carpets endure a lot of damage as the years go on. As a result, many homeowners turn to DIY carpet cleaning solutions to bring their carpets back to their former glory. However, taking the cleaning process into your own hands could worsen your carpets when all is said and done.

In our nine years of experience as  Oro Valley’s carpet cleaning technicians, we’ve seen many DIY carpet cleanings go wrong, so we’re spreading the word about why these methods can do more harm than good. Here are eight reasons you should put down the steam cleaner and hire a professional to do the job right.

1.   Harsh Chemicals

All carpet cleaners use chemicals to deliver the best results, but some use harsher formulas than others. Such formulas can discolor or bleach your carpet and produce a strong smell that’s tough to eliminate. If you’re not careful, you could permanently damage your carpets by using a carpet cleaner that’s too strong or harsh for your flooring.

On the other hand, some carpet cleaners have weak formulas that don’t accomplish much more than adding an artificial scent on top of the stains you’re trying to remove. In either case, it’s best to let a professional evaluate your carpet and use the proper cleaner for the job.

2.   Discoloration and Bleaching

Even the gentlest store-bought carpet cleaners can discolor or bleach your carpets. Plus, DIY cleaners can create brown spots in the carpet by depositing too much cleaner in one area. As a result, you could permanently damage your carpets and leave behind unsightly discoloration. Once a carpet is bleached, the only solution is to replace it or hire a professional for help.

3. Waterlogged Carpet

DIY carpet cleaning machines often leave carpets extremely wet because they don’t remove enough water during the cleaning process. After using a DIY carpet cleaner, you may need to wait hours or even days for your carpets to dry. Besides being an annoyance, wet carpets can also produce unpleasant odors and serve as breeding grounds for pests.

Even after your carpets dry, you may encounter permanent damage from all the moisture because carpets lose much of their structural integrity when wet. Water damage can cause the carpet layers to shrink and separate from each other, creating a frayed and ragged look.

4. You Might Overdo It

When you’re fighting a losing battle against particularly tough stains, using more carpet shampoo or foam might seem like your only option. However, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. Overdoing it with cleaning products can leave your carpets covered in product buildup and residue, producing a sticky and unpleasant mess and trapping more dirt and dust within the carpet.

Even the most careful homeowners can still use too much cleaning product and damage their carpets during a DIY carpet cleaning, so it’s best to leave the job to the pros. Professional carpet cleaners know exactly how much product to use and have the equipment to eliminate any leftover residue.

5. Stain Spreading

Scrubbing away at a stain with your DIY carpet cleaner can push the stain further into the carpet or cause it to spread. If you’re not careful, you can turn a small stain into a huge one. Vigorous scrubbing can also permanently damage the carpet fibers while doing little to remove the stain. For true stain-fighting power, let the professionals handle the job.

6. Overall Poor Results

DIY carpet cleaning regimens produce mediocre results at best and downright poor results at worst. Even the most expensive store-bought cleaners and machines don’t have the same power as professional equipment. In other words, you won’t get the same results as you would with a professional carpet cleaning service. So, if you’re trying to get rid of many years’ worth of stains and wear and tear, you’ll likely be disappointed.

7. Carpets May Get Dirty Faster

After toiling over a steam cleaner and completing your DIY carpet cleaning, you might assume that you’ll get to enjoy the results of your labor for many months to come. As it turns out, a DIY carpet cleaning can make your carpets get dirty faster.

It sounds counterintuitive, but the residue left behind by store-bought carpet cleaning products turns your carpet into a veritable magnet for dirt and stains. Plus, if you attempt to remedy the problem by cleaning your carpets again, you could add even more residue to the mix.

8. Mold and Mildew Growth

Waiting around for your carpets to dry isn’t the only annoying result of DIY carpet cleaners. Damp carpet also creates an inviting environment for mold and mildew. These fungi love moisture and grow rapidly in wet conditions, resulting in unpleasant odors.

Getting smells out of your carpet is challenging in any situation, but musty mildew smells are especially stubborn. Since mold and mildew can have hazardous effects on your health, the safest option is to hire a professional to handle them.

We’re Here To Get Your Carpets Looking New Again

While using a DIY carpet cleaner may seem tempting, it’s not worth risking permanent damage to your carpets. Instead of taking the risk, you can turn to a professional for help. After a thorough cleaning with professional equipment, your carpets will look better than ever.

The experienced technicians at Steam Smart Pro have helped countless customers in Oro Valley with their carpet cleaning needs, and we’d love to help you. Our commercial-grade cleaning equipment can eliminate years of accumulated dirt, stains, and debris and make your carpets look good as new. Take the first steps to clean carpets and  contact us today!

Author Bio:

Eric Bullard

The owner of Steam Smart Pro in Tucson, AZ, brings over 20 years of invaluable experience in the field of carpet, tile, and air duct cleaning. With a strong dedication to quality and a deep understanding of effective cleaning techniques, Eric consistently delivers outstanding results to his satisfied residential and commercial clients.