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Which
Carpet
Cleaning
Method
Should You
Choose: Steam
or Dry?
Clean carpets are very important for a healthy and proper-looking home, which is why
you need to choose an appropriate cleaning method. That being said, between steam
cleaning and dry cleaning, which one should you choose for your home?
Are there any notable differences between the two?
What are the advantages and drawbacks? Well, you are about to find out.
What Method Is Best for Cleaning Your
Carpet?
The right carpet cleaning method for you will depend on the results that you want to
obtain, as well as the status of your carpet. If your carpet is particularly dirty and you
want to give it a deep clean, then steam cleaning may be more effective.
However, if you want a clean carpet fast and the surface is not too dirty, then dry cleaning
can help refresh it.
Pros and Cons of Dry Cleaning
Dry cleaning uses little to no water, and it mostly cleans stains from the surface. For the
most part, dry cleaning uses a solvent applied to the carpet, as well as a special powder to
remove the stains.
Special machines and brushes are used to work the cleaning mixture into the fibres of the
carpet. It is left for about 10 minutes to absorb the dirt, after which it is vacuumed.
Pros
• It cleans the carpet quickly, taking 10-20 minutes at most
• Very little drying time, if even necessary
• Does not require technical cleaning or special machinery
• No risk of expansion or shrinkage caused by water
• Fairly inexpensive as compared to other carpet cleaning techniques
Cons
• The powder may remain on the carpet after the vacuuming process
• It does not clean the bottom of the carpet, only the surface
• The remaining powder may lead to build-up if the method is used frequently
Pros and Cons of Steam Cleaning
Steam cleaning uses a technique called HWE (Hot Water Extraction). Steam cleaning
makes use of hot water under pressure and then pumping it into your carpet.
This provides deep cleaning to your carpet, getting out dirt, debris, and stains. Afterward,
the carpet will be groomed and given enough time to dry.
Pros
• Effective at removing stains
• Hot temperatures of the steam can also kill bacteria and viruses
• Provides deep cleaning that also cleans the bottom of the carpet
• Uses mostly hot water to clean the carpet, so it doesn’t damage the carpet fibre
Cons
• Since special machines are needed, it’s difficult to do as a DIY
• The drying time is slightly longer compared to dry cleaning
• Quite expensive as compared to other carpet cleaning techniques
DIY Carpet Cleaning: Should You Hire or Buy?
Sometimes, due to the absence of resources or time, you may decide to do your carpet
cleaning yourself. Still, is it a better option to hire a carpet cleaner? Perhaps buying or
renting the tools may be more convenient for you.
The problem with DIY carpet cleaning is that you may not know how to use some of the
machines.
Dry cleaning may be easier to do, but steam cleaning may be very complicated. Not only
may the cleaning be done incorrectly, causing missed spots, but it can also be tiring, and
you risk getting injured.
On the plus side, you get complete control over the process, and it is less expensive than
hiring a professional. Dry cleaning is very affordable, as you only need to buy the cleaning
solution and powder, using your vacuum to clear it.
In the end, the choice is up to you. DIY carpet cleaning is more affordable as compared to
hiring a cleaning company, but it’s also more tiring and can lead to less satisfying results.
Are the Chemicals Used in Carpet Cleaning Safe?
When you are looking to have your carpets cleaned professionally, you should ask the
company about the chemicals they intend to use. Some chemicals may be quite toxic if
you or a family member comes into contact with them. These chemicals include:
• Sodium Bisulfate
• Butane
• Sodium Hydroxide and Sodium Carbonate
• Tributyl Tin and Perchloroethylene
• Propane or Isobutane
• Glycol Ethers
• Quaternary Ammonium Chloride
• Hydrofluoric Acid
• Nitrilotriacetate Acid
If your carpet cleaner uses any of these chemicals, you might want to ask if they have some
eco-friendly alternatives. More and more companies are using green-certified products,
as a response to the green trend.
Questions to Ask a Carpet Cleaning Company
When hiring a carpet cleaning company like Wow Carpet Cleaning Brisbane, there are
certain questions you may want to ask them. Depending on their answers, you can
determine for yourself whether you want to use their services or not.
• What cleaning solutions does your company use? Are any of them harmful to
humans and pets?
• Do you have a license for your practice? Are you insured, in case something
happens to the carpets?
• Can I get some referrals for your work? Where can I read some reviews?
• What carpet cleaning methods do you use? Do you provide steam cleaning and dry
cleaning alike?
• How do you calculate the prices for your services?
The more questions you ask, the better. This will help you learn more about the company
that you are using.
Conclusion
Carpets are some of the first things that people notice upon entering your home. This is
why you need to make sure they stay clean, and that you use the right method to keep
them neat and fresh.
This doc is published by
• Wow Carpet Cleaning Brisbane
• https://www.wowcarpetcleaningbrisbane.com.au/
• Phone number: 07 3184 4008
• Address: 4/333 Ann Street, Brisbane, QLD, 4000