How often should you clean your carpet? Carpet manufacturers typically recommend deep cleaning carpets every 12 to 18 months, says Mock. "Hot water extraction is the most common method used. You can hire a professional, or you can purchase or rent a cleaner from your local home improvement store to DIY."

Cleaning Method The cost is affected by how long it takes to clean the carpet, the cleaning solutions needed, and what type of equipment is required. The most common cleaning methods are shampooing, dry cleaning, hot water extraction, encapsulation, bonnet, and carbonated cleaning.

If you're looking for professional results on all your carpets, then hiring a company may be worth it. But if your carpets are only occasionally used, or if they aren't in a high-traffic area, then cleaning them yourself could prove to be more cost effective.