Pete and Rob cover everything having to do with your home
 Home Matters
Home Matters on KIRO Radio
Tune in to KIRO Radio on Sunday at 8am for Home Matters.
Vacuum
Even the White House red carpet needs a little sprucing up now and again. But why not call in the professionals? (AP Photo)

Carpet cleaning 101 before the holidays

BY Stephanie Klein  on November 15, 2012 @ 12:35 pm (Updated: 1:31 pm - 11/15/12 )

It's that time of year when you have to clean up for the relatives and that might mean carpet cleaning.

The question is whether to do it yourself or hire the professionals.

Ben Surdi, owner of Pure Cleaning Carpet Cleaning, tells Pete and Rob of KIRO Radio's Home Matters Show, that the DIY methods are acceptable if you're looking to save some money. But there are drawbacks.

"The carpets stay wet for an extended period of time and usually the spots wind up coming back because you're not able to flesh them out."

In fact, Rob says many carpet installers say DIY'ers over-wet their carpets.

"A lot of people put way too much water and you wind up over-wetting the backing of the carpet, which is made of latex," says Surdi.

And when you over-wet the latex, it looses it up and bacteria can grow.

Surdi points out that the DIY machine you rent or buy is about $300 and the professionals are using a machine in the range of $120,000.

Speaking of high-end machines, Surdi tells the guys they recently tested out home vacuum cleaners. He says Dyson disappointed on all levels in their testing.

The winner?

"It's made by Riccar or Simplicity, made in America and costs about $200. It only weighs about eight pounds."

This week's Home Matters is sponsored by Pure Cleaning Carpet Cleaning.

Stephanie Klein, MyNorthwest.com Editor
Stephanie joined the MyNorthwest.com team in February 2008. She has built the site into a two-time National Edward R. Murrow Award winner (Best Radio Website 2010, 2012).
More from Home Matters

MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (1)


  • Add A Comment

  • carpetcleaningseattle wrote...
    Carpet Cleaning Seattle
    November 19, 2012 10:10 am
    Thanks for having us on the show! We're readily available to answer any questions that the listeners may have and also many questions can be answered at our website which is http://www.purecleancarpetcleaning.com.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }