ArcaMax

When good-quality carpeting is properly maintained, it should last 10 to 15 years, according to the Carpet and Rug Institute. That makes carpeting a good long-term investment you will enjoy for many years. However, it can become an eyesore when stains develop and aren’t treated. You can clean and refresh the carpet fibers with good cleaning either by hiring a professional or doing it yourself using a rented carpet-cleaning machine.

A carpet cleaning service will charge $285, including labor and material, to clean approximately 500 square feet of carpeting. Before the service arrives, you’re usually responsible for removing small furniture and other items; they remove the large pieces. Using a wand and hose, the technician applies a cleaning agent into the carpet pile and water with an extractor to recover the used solution and soil. This is done from a truck-mounted unit outside the home or by a portable system brought into the home.

You can rent a rug-cleaning machine for $45.00 a day, plus $30 more for the cleaning solution, and probably $50 more for additional supplies to do the job yourself, pocketing 52% savings. The machine is easy to use and requires a grounded three-prong, 120-volt outlet to operate. If the machine you use is in good working order and you operate it correctly, you’re likely to get good results. If not, you may not be satisfied. To expedite the drying time, use several fans along with a dehumidifier or air conditioner to pull moisture out of the air. Depending on the humidity level, carpeting can take several hours to dry, so don’t return furniture to the room on the same day it is cleaned.

We’ve had good results both hiring a pro and doing it ourselves. However, if the carpeting has pet odors or stains, especially in high traffic areas, it’s best to hire a professional service.

Pro Cost: $258 — DIY Cost: $125 — Pro time: 2.9
DIY Time: 4.5 — DIY Savings: $133 — Percent Saved: 52%

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To find more DIY project costs and to post comments and questions, visit www.diyornot.com and m.diyornot.com on smartphones.

©2025 Gene and Katie Hamilton. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.