When it comes to stinky carpet, should you clean it or replace it? Whether you just purchased a new home or witnessed your carpet go from new to not-so-new, how do you know if you should hire a professional carpet cleaner or replace the whole thing?

Here are some tips to help you decide:

Where’s the smell coming from?

First, figure out where the smell is coming from. Is it due to pet accidents, smoke, mildew, sweaty socks or something worse? If the smell is coming from the carpet padding, it may be hard to remove it. You can replace the padding and keep your current carpet (if it’s in good condition), but it might be more cost effective to replace the whole thing at once. If, instead, the smell hasn’t permeated the padding of the carpet, one professional cleaning should take care of the odor.

Is it stained?

No carpet is stain-proof, even though many contain some sort of anti-stain treatment. Professional carpet cleaners should be able to remove most common stains, but in some cases no amount of cleaning will help your stained carpet. Stains such as teas, bleaches, plant fertilizers, and drain cleaners all pose cleaning challenges. If your carpet has stains from vomit, urine, feces or mildew, it may actually pose a health hazard. Consult with your professional carpet cleaner for advice on your particular stains.

How’s the wear and tear?

Is your carpet matted and worn down? Matting often marks the first sign that carpet is on its way out. If your carpet is made of polyester or similar substance, no amount of professional cleaning will undo the matting. Polyester fibers are not resilient and won’t return to their original position. However, you may be able to remedy the situation if your carpet is made of nylon. Nylon can regain a like-new appearance after being professionally cleaned. Issues like ripples, color loss, or worn-down padding cannot be reversed with a professional cleaning.

How old is the carpet?

Today’s carpets are designed to last about ten years. If your existing carpet is more than 10 years old, it might be near the end of its useful life. Spending hundreds of dollars on a professional carpet cleaning won’t bring your carpet back to life.

What’s your budget?

Lastly, consider your budget. A professional carpet cleaner typically charges between $0.30 and $0.50 per square foot, while a new carpet can range from about $2.75 to $3.00 installed. Consider your goals and lifestyle. If you have a large family or indoor pets, you might want to wait as long as possible to replace it. Also, if you plan to sell your home in the near future, you might want to hold off on replacing it – unless the old carpet will prevent you from receiving an offer, in which case, definitely replace it.

When it comes to stinky carpets, evaluate your options to see which would offer you the most value. If your carpet is relatively new and stain-free, then a professional carpet cleaning could restore your carpet to a like-new condition. If your carpet is worn out, stained and faded, you might be better off opting for new.