subject: Steam Cleaning Vs. Dry Cleaning [print this page] We all know that our carpets get dirty over time and need regular maintenance, but there are many different ways to go about carpet cleaning. The most popular techniques are dry cleaning and steam cleaning, two very different carpet cleaning methods.
The main reason for seeking professional carpet cleaning services rather than hiring or buying the equipment yourself is because experts know how to treat the carpet properly and have far superior machinery, offering much better results.
Steam cleaning, also known as hot water extraction, initially uses a pre-spray to loosen any debris in the carpets, then water or cleaning solution is pumped into the carpet, and extracted at very high pressures. The extraction removes all the fluid from the carpets, along with any pollutants such as dirt, oils, and allergens, from between the fibres.
Dry cleaning is very different; this method beats a powder in the carpet which is then left for a certain period of time and vacuumed up. The powder is technically not completely removed from the carpets as the only way to remove the powder completely is to beat the reverse of the carpet backing.
Steam cleaning is the only method to be recommended by carpet manufacturers and industry bodies because it is much more effective and less likely to cause re-soiling. One of the major advantages to steam cleaning is that the carpets are thoroughly rinsed, leaving behind no residue. In comparison, dry cleaning leaves behind traces of the powder, over time leading to white stains on the carpet.
Dry cleaning does have its own advantages of course, as it is dry or very low moisture (VLM) it is often much faster than steam cleaning. However, the technology in steam cleaning has developed a lot in recent years, so that it can offer much more rapid drying times.
It is of course your own decision as to which method of carpet cleaning you opt for, but if you plan to keep your carpets for many years, steam cleaning might be a better choice. Dry cleaning can cause the carpet fibres to become fuzzy, breaking down the carpet and leading to premature replacement.
There are other methods of carpet cleaning out there on the market, such as bonnet cleaning, but dry cleaning and steam cleaning are the most popular. Bonnet cleaning uses similar technology to dry cleaning, but the powder or solution is attached to a pad before brushing the carpets. This method is not generally preferred because it can cause much quicker breakdown of the carpet fibres.
