Which Carpet Cleaning Method is Best?

Your Cleaning Options Explained

Choosing the right carpet cleaning method for your home is important to keep your carpets looking their best and lasting for years. There are a few main options to consider – hot water extraction, dry, and DIY cleaning. Understand the pros and cons of each to determine what’s best for your needs and carpet type.

Hot Water Extraction Method

It is also known as steam or wet cleaning. This is a deep cleaning method that injects a pressurised hot water and solution into the carpet to loosen and lift filth, marks, oils and debris to the surface. A powerful wet vacuum immediately extracts the solution, pulling up the dissolved impurities and leaving carpets clean.

This method is ideal for most carpeting when done properly. It’s extremely effective at removing ground-in dirt, stubborn stains, allergens and odors trapped deep down that regular vacuuming alone often can’t reach. It is usually required every 12-18 months to keep carpets in top shape. Routine maintenance in busy areas may be needed more frequently.

Pros

• Extremely effective thorough cleaning for maximum soil removal
• Lifts away oils and residue leaves behind
• Sanitises carpets removing bacteria and dust mites
• Suitable for most carpet materials when done properly
• Extracts liquid completely so carpets dry faster
• Refreshes carpet appearance improving life span

Cons

• Longer dry times if poor gear is used (8-12+ hours)
• Potential for over-wetting without proper training
• Can cause carpet color loss without correct pH balanced solutions
• Requires professional equipment for best results

Wet carpet cleaning when performed correctly by a qualified professional using truck mounted units, is widely regarded as the most thorough and effective method.

Dry Carpet Cleaning

It encompasses a few methods that use minimal-to-no wetness to tidy carpets. Small amounts of liquid solvents, detergents are worked into carpets and allowed to dry completely before hoovering up soil residue. This allows for fast dry times.

Common dry cleaning techniques include:

Bonnet Cleaning: Uses cotton bonnet pads or microfiber towels soaked in compound, rotated over carpet. Detergent helps remove some dirt; friction of spinning breaks down and absorbs grime that is then removed via suctioning once dry.

Encapsulation Cleaning: Crystallising (encapsulant) solutions are brushed or sprayed into carpet pile then left to dry. The sticky solvent crystallise, trapping and absorbing grime so it can be vacuumed away after fully drying.

Dry Foam: Foaming shampoo is whipped with air then massaged gently into carpet without scrubbing. The foam dries then is vacuumed out along with attached filth and oils.

Dry Compound: A moist, non-sticky absorbent heavy duty cleaning agent is spread over the carpet using rotating brush. The absorbent compound qualities allow it to effectively remove some oily soils when vacuumed up after drying.

What Are These Methods Best For?

These methods are ideal for routine, light maintenance in between heated water extractions, especially in high footfall zones prone to re-soiling. They safely provide cleaning without getting carpets overly wet. It won’t remove heavy soiling as effectively as steam cleaning however.

This is also suitable for water-sensitive carpets or times when fast dry times are preferred. Just know results won’t be as deep.

Pros

• Fast drying times
• Less risk of carpet shrinkage & color loss
• No wet carpet waiting times & odor
• Low moisture methods suitable for some carpets
• Frequent cleaning of foot traffic areas becomes easier

Cons

• Doesn’t fully sanitise carpets
• Primarily surface cleaning only
• May need repeat tidying for heavily soiled areas
• Rotating bonnets can cause carpet fuzzing over time
• Won’t effectively remove heavy stains trapped beneath carpet surface

Overall these methods provide a less invasive option for lightly sanitising carpets in between intensive cleanings. This helps carpets stay fresher longer. However for more infrequent, cleanings to revitalise flooring, water extraction is typically needed.

DIY Carpet Cleaning

With all the powerful equipment available for rent and cleaning products specially designed for home use, DIY may seem like an appealing way to save money. Smaller areas can sometimes be managed effectively with minimal experience. However there are definite downsides to consider before tackling entire rooms or whole homes yourself.

Light cleaning small footpaths or recent blotches can potentially be handled at home without issue using portable cleaners and spot removal sprays. But be aware of harm, and prepare for the project to take considerably longer vs hiring an experienced professional.

Pros

• More affordable upfront cost for gear rentals or purchase
• Convenience of cleaning on your own schedule
• Satisfaction of tackling project yourself

Cons

• Producing professional level results is extremely difficult
• Long hours of labor intensive work
• Possible carpet damage or reappearing discolourations without the right chemicals, tools, training
• Inadequate soil and stain removal
• Potential to void manufactuer warranties
• No guarantee of 100% satisfaction

While you may only spend $50-150 to rent equipment or buy materials to DIY clean your carpets, consider that you still invest money without any guarantee of professional quality results in most cases.

And whether buying your own basic cleaner unit or renting apparatus, adequate removal of years of accumulated grime or complete dry times are hard for non professionals to achieve.

What are the Threats of DIY Carpet Cleaning?

Without proper chemicals balanced to the right temperatures and pressures for different carpet materials, DIY dangers include:

• Permanent stains wicking back up later
• Over-wetting leading to mold and mildew growth
• Damage to carpets including shrinkage, glue separation or coloring bleeding/loss

Technique is also key – incorrect scrubbing or against-the-grain movements can fuzz carpets permanently. Rented machines often weigh far more than professionals too, meaning greater exertion is required to maneuver them leading to potential repetitive muscle strain.

For best results, protection of your investment and to avoid damage, expert carpet cleaning is typically worth the cost.

What are the Best Method Of Cleaning?

Now you know the main cleaning options. Here’s an overview of recommended methods and how often:

• Regular Cleaning: Vacuum often. Also get professional services once a year. This maintains lightly or moderately dirty carpets.
• Extensive Cleaning: Every 12-18 months, get hot liquid removal. This professional cleaning revives color and feel by cleansing down to the carpet base. It removes allergens and odors.
• Between Deep Cleans: Use carpet dry cleaning methods like bonnet every 3-6 months in high traffic areas. This keeps carpets fresh longer.
• Spot Cleaning: Blot up spills right away, then use a spot cleaner. This prevents soiled areas from setting. Carpet steam cleaning also removes set-in stains.

Always allow proper dry times. With the right methods, frequencies and pros, carpets can stay beautiful for many years

How to Extend the Life of Your Carpet

Carpets enhance home decor, provide warmth and softness while minimising noise. To maximise their life span and quality, here are handy tips:

• Vacuum regularly using correct height and settings for your specific type of carpet
• Deal with spills immediately by blot lifting then spot cleaner spray
• Place mats by exterior doors to trap outside mess
• Avoid scrubbing with too much pressure during cleans
• Use furniture cups and occasionally move heavy pieces
• Rotate area rugs seasonally to evenly distribute fading
• Hire certified technicians as needed

Combining preventative care with deep professional cleans every 12-18 months keeps carpets their healthiest and looking pristine longer.

Are Cleaning Chemicals Safe?

Trustworthy pros actively test and only use cleaning blends that are proven safe when properly used.

We actively use products made specifically for carpets that have very low chemical fumes unlikely to bother people. We actively vacuum up any leftover residue after ensuring it dries into harmless mineral powder.

With steam carpet cleaning, we rinse with clean water after the cleaning mixture lift the soil from your carpet fibers. This removes almost everything, leaving virtually no residuals on the carpeting.

Our powerful truck-mounted equipment also carefully controls water pressure and suction for safe, effective cleaning. We follow the product instructions for the best mixes too. And our trained, experienced technicians focus on eco-friendly cleans.

So you can feel confident that reputable carpet cleaners will use non-toxic, pH-balanced cleaning solutions that clean thoroughly and then rinse away completely. There should be no strong smells or harsh chemical residues left behind—just fresh, sanitised carpets. Our top priorities are outstanding results and safety.

Conclusion – Which is the Best Carpet Cleaning Method for You?

To keep carpets looking great despite heavy use, you need a good routine plan. You should actively vacuum regularly to remove surface dirt before you grind it in deep.

Also, quickly blotting up spills when they happen keeps them from becoming permanent blemishes.

And most importantly, having professionals do a deep-cleaning extract with hot water every year or two cleans all the way down into the carpet padding. This makes the carpet look like new again.

Between those yearly pro cleanings, you can also occasionally use simple methods like bonnet in high-traffic room. This keeps the carpets fresher longer before needing a full re-clean. Other low-moisture methods can be helpful too, depending on your needs.

So to choose the best plan, look at your most-used areas, number of people, and how dirty the carpets currently are. Budget plays a role as well. Just remember that regularly using the hoover, blotting spots quickly, and getting periodic thorough cleans by a pro will keep your carpets in the best shape for the longest.