You should be VERY careful if you decide to clean your own carpet. There are 100s of ways to do it wrong, but only one way to do it right. DIY carpet cleaning can remove surface dirt, but professional cleaning penetrates deep into carpet fibers, eliminating stains, bacteria, and allergens more effectively for a longer-lasting clean. When cleaning your carpet or rug on your own, make sure the chemicals and machine used are approved for your specific carpet or rug.