Shampooing Carpet

Most people have carpet in their houses.  Most carpets get dirty.  What do you do to get it clean?  And how do you be frugal about it?  In the past, I have got a company in and paid $80 - $100 to have a room cleaned.  The last time I did that, the guy came 45 min. early, and I was not ready.  He proceeded anyhow and was done and out of my house before the set time.  I was not impressed.  So I decided it was not worth it for several reasons.
1. Cost
2. My time, not theirs
3. Better job

I have been using a shampooer that was purchased at a yard sale for $5.  It has worked fine up until now.  So I will be watching sales to find a good one.  My younger sister bought one for around $250 and said it was well worth it.  Just a few cleanings and she got her money back.

The other thing is my time, not theirs.  I can scrub my carpet before bedtime and not have to worry about people walking on it and it is dry til morning.  I have got up early and cleaned carpets too.  This will not work for bedrooms.  I am an impulsive person so if I decide today I'm cleaning carpets, I clean carpets.  I do not have to wait on someone to come do it for me.

I can also do a better job.  I can pre-spray without an extra $15-$20 charge.  I can work at a bad spot until it comes out.  Cleaning companies may do it or they may not, depends on the person that does it.  So the quality of the job is according to who does it.  If it's yourself, you can do a good job.  If it's a cleaning company, it's a hit or miss.

So that is why I choose to clean my own carpets. Maybe others have not had the same experience.  I would love to hear about it!