No matter how clean you keep your home and how often you vacuum your carpets and rugs to remove dirt, sometimes you need to take it a step further and do a deep carpet cleaning.

The Carpet and Rug Institute recommends deep cleaning your carpet every 12 to 18 months. They also point out that your carpet warranty may have specific requirements related to cleaning, so be sure to read that thoroughly.

Once it’s time to clean your carpet, you have the decision to make – do it yourself or hire a professional?

If you decide to clean your carpet yourself, there are deep cleaners or steam cleaners you can buy to do the job. Since many people don’t want to spend the money to buy a cleaner or don’t have space for one, there are also options for carpet cleaner rentals.

You can rent a carpet cleaner to do it yourself at some big box stores or hardware stores and also from specialty cleaning stores.

When renting a cleaning machine, make sure you:

• Rent it at a time you can use it. Otherwise, you may pay extra for keeping it longer than expected.
• Are comfortable operating the machine. Ask questions when you pick it up, and ask for a demonstration if necessary.
• Know what accessories and cleaning products you need. Additional charges will likely be considered for accessories and carpet cleaning solutions. (While you are cleaning your carpet, you may also want to go ahead and clean your upholstered furniture, too! If so, you’ll want to ensure you get the appropriate accessories or additional equipment.)
• Have a vehicle large enough to pick up the equipment. You can also ask if the location where you are renting the cleaner has a delivery and pickup service.

If you hire a professional to do the job, many services are available to clean your carpet.

The Carpet and Rug Institute suggests considering these things when hiring a carpet cleaning professional:

• Company age and reputation. Ask how long the company has been in business and check its online reviews.
• The cleaning process. Ask if they vacuum before deep cleaning – this step can make a big difference in the results you get from the cleaning.
• Pricing. How does their pricing work? Make sure pricing is based on the square footage of the cleaned area, not on the number of rooms. When you ask about pricing, have information on how big the area is so your estimate is accurate.
• Certifications. Ask what certifications and training the company’s technicians have. The relevant organization for carpet cleaners is the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC).
• Preparation for the cleaning. Will the technician move your furniture, or must you do it yourself? If they do it, is there an additional charge?

Lastly, ensure you know how long to wait after the cleaning before walking on the carpet or moving your furniture back into the room.

If you are looking into cleaning your carpet because of flooding, BBB has information that can help. If you also need water damage restoration services, check the list here. BBB also has information on caring for all parts of your home in Your Home HQ.