Simply put, No. As with most other things in life, it pays to hire an experienced professional who is equipped with the proper tools to get the job done right. Don’t just take our word for it though. In July 1997, Consumer Reports published an article entitled “How to Really Clean a Carpet”. Speaking specifically about the rental machines the article stated, “Our tests show…that the machines don’t perform very well.” If clean carpets are your goal, you’ll receive more value for your money if you hire a professional. It is also important to remember that most carpet manufacturers require periodic professional carpet cleaning in order to maintain the warranty.