I'm not willing to shell out the cash needed to replace the aging, stained carpet in the condo that I'm going to be selling within the next three years. But, the carpet is in the living and dining area, and I've got a toddler who has a tendency to spill his juice. And, a husband who has a tendency to spill his red wine.
It drives me crazy when the carpet is shabby. When it's dirty and matted, I just want to give up. The whole rest of my living room/dining room gets cluttered and messy, because I don't feel like it's worth it when the carpet is nasty.
After a few years of phoning the local Stanley Steemer, then a few tries renting a steamer from the grocery store, the costs added up. My friends extolled the virtues of their home-level carpet steamers, but I pooh-poohed. Who really needs another appliance?
They talked me into borrowing theirs for a trial run, and I was hooked. All the dirty water running out of that tank made me feel like I was a newly-reformed housekeeper. Still, the units they own ran around $200 and I wasn't sure it was worth the expense.
Finally, the dirty carpets won out. I had been putting away $20 or so a month towards my carpet-cleaning fund, since the winter's salt and spring's mud started up. I was up to $85 in that envelope when I saw the Bissell light steamer for sale at my local big-box general store, for $90. I dug out my change jar, made up the remaining $5, and bought one this morning.
$95 (with tax) spent this morning, and I've already attacked my biggest pet peeve, the high-traffic area in my living room.
When the carpet cleaners come, it's $110 a pop. When I rent at the grocery store, it's $35 a pop. Three uses, and I'll break even.
The lesson here for me is this: when something drives me crazy and can be solved for a reasonable amount of money, it's not extravagant to spend that money. Frugality is not about misery.
When to Rent vs. Own - a Carpet Steamer!
April 27th, 2006 at 05:31 pm
April 27th, 2006 at 05:40 pm 1146159639
April 27th, 2006 at 06:07 pm 1146161243
May 17th, 2007 at 04:25 am 1179375914
May 11th, 2008 at 05:52 pm 1210528328
I Live in Arlington MA in a 2 BR apartment. I need to steam clean the carpet before I move out (it's in the lease)I was wondering how to rent a steamer or who rents out steamers and I am not having much luck google-ing. Can U make a recommendation?
-Fahmida
December 12th, 2009 at 01:04 am 1260579896
January 7th, 2010 at 04:17 pm 1262881055