Should I rent a cleaner or hire a professional for carpet cleaning?

We fit and repair carpet rather than clean it, so this is a fair question to ask before calling us. A rented hot-water extractor handles routine upkeep between deeper cleans, but it pushes less water out of the pile than a professional truck-mount unit, and carpet left too damp for too long can affect the backing and the underpad beneath it. For a carpet that is showing its age rather than just dusty, a professional clean is the safer choice; either way, blot spills immediately rather than rubbing them, which spreads the stain into the pile.