Carpet cleaning or rip it out?

Question

I have new tenants moving in this weekend and came to see the unit from the last tenants... This is the sun room.  This is my only unit with carpet, can this be cleaned or do I need to rip it out?

Jassem A. · Answer

Get the carpets steam cleaned. Probably won't cost more than $100 and the carpet will probably look like new afterward.

That carpet looks no where near as bad as the last one I had steam cleaned and now they look like new.

Kyle J. · Answer

I have similar colored carpets in one of my rentals and was able to remove even darker staining (see attached pic).  Of course, it had to be shampooed 4 times.

Another option, if you don't want to replace the carpet, is to have it dyed a darker color.  It would be cheaper than replacing.

Mike Nelson · Answer

Brie-

I can see both sides of the argument, but I am surprised how well a good cleaning service can dramatically improve the appearance of a carpet at relatively low cost or labor.

Michael Noto · Answer

The issue with cleaning carpets is you are never going to know if they stains will come out until you have someone come shampoo/steam clean them.

If it is within your budget and time frame, install some vinyl plank.

Maggie Tasseron · Answer

I'm not fond of carpet either, but have found that tile floors constantly need to have the grout cleaned unless you go with a dark grout.  I haven't found it to be any easier even when the grout is sealed, in fact the sealer doesn't seem to make any difference. Some of the new composite wood products are really nice and getting less expensive all the time. I would be careful to choose something that is fairly indestructible; it certainly isn't as easy to replace boards as it is to replace one or two tiles.

Account Closed · Answer

I'm closing on a new rental property next week that has a mix of hardwoods and laminate- no carpet. I'm interested to see how it does.

I'm certain that either one is better than perpetually playing the carpet game, that's like being the team every school wants to play for homecoming - a perennial loser.

Account Closed · Answer

End the carpet battle. Rip it out and put in tile floors.

Brie Schmidt · Answer

Just as an update, we got the carpet cleaned and when I left it looked like it was in good shape.  But when it dried the stains showed.

Unfortunately I didn't know till the tenants already moved in so my brother in law and I went there and ripped out the carpet and put in the allure.  That was my first time doing that and I was surprised at how easy it all was.

David Chwaszczewski · Answer

@Brie Schmidt

Depends on the type of stain if it will come out or not.  If it is a surface stain like dirt it shouldn't be an issue coming out.  If its pet stain usually the issue is the padding underneath soaks up the wetness and after you clean it can show back up.  In cases of pet stains You should rip out the padding also if you are replacing carpet.  Otherwise the stain can show in the new carpet.

I would suggest allure flooring at lower or home depot.  Its easy to install and needs no underlayment.  Just a sharp utility knife and some patients. :-)

AJ S. · Answer

All comments here are great, just to add if it's high turn-over unit, I would consider tile/ceramics they come in many different styles, colors, if you have good handy man it will last forever and never needs replacement.

Carpet cleaning or rip it out?

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