Steam Cleaning and Hot Water Extraction

Steam cleaning is the primary method that carpet cleaning companies use to clean carpets. It is important to note that there is a very real difference between “hot water extraction” and an actual steam cleaning. The actual process of steam cleaning can cause damage to some types of carpet fibers (such as wool). The heat that must be using during a traditional steam cleaning is typically much higher than the heat that would be used during a hot water extraction.

Hot water extraction, on the other hand, is what cleaning companies are usually talking about when they refer to “steam” cleaning. This is primarily because of the common public misconception that all hot water extraction is steam cleaning. Hot water extraction cleaning uses heated water in combination with diluted detergent solutions in order to help clean the carpet. The dilution is meant to help avoid residues will not remain on the carpet fibers after cleaning.

When done properly, steam cleaning and hot water extraction is the best option for residential carpets. Given the fact that dirt can work its way deep into the carpet fibers and the padding underneath, a powerful vacuum combined with solvents (including water, the universal solvent) is the best way (often the only way) to get the carpet clean. Residential carpet, in particular, is best cleaned using hot water extraction techniques. The carpet usually has a higher pile to begin with and has more padding than would be found in commercial carpet. These factors make residential carpet much easier (and better) to clean with hot water extraction than with dry cleaning methods.

Obviously there are some disadvantages to the hot water extraction method (and these problems are present during steam cleaning methods as well). One of the primary issues with hot water extraction is that, no matter how powerful a vacuum is used, the water is never completely removed. If proper technique is used by the technicians doing the cleaning, then the risk of problems associated with that leftover water is minimal. With that being said, there is always a risk that too much water will remain in the carpet due to either a leak in the equipment or a lack of vacuum. Excess water in the carpeting itself and in the padding underneath can lead to bacterial growth or mold.

An issue that can arise with hot water extraction is chemical residue on the carpet. Normally, a chemical combination that is applied with the hot water to clean the carpet (or as part of a pre-spray) will be removed along with the hot water during the cleaning process. If the chemicals are mixed improperly or the vacuum is not powerful enough, chemicals can be left on the carpet fibers. Just like the issues with excess water (which can lead to higher than normal humidity or mold growth), excess detergent on the carpet fibers can lead to volatile chemicals being released into the air. In addition, detergent residues remaining on carpet fibers after cleaning can attract dirt from the surrounding environment and can cause the carpet to become dirty more quickly than it would otherwise.

Dry Carpet Cleaning Methods

Dry cleaning methods typically do not use vacuum power or hot water during their cleaning. The water that is used should be dry within an hour or two of the cleaning the risk associated with that water is minimal. Dry carpet cleaning relies on specialized machines which work to clean the carpet using chemicals and very low moisture.

There are three recognized methods of dry carpet cleaning:

• Dry compound – Dry compound cleaning uses an absorbent and biodegradable cleaning compound which is spread over the carpet and then brushed. This is done on small areas with the use of a hand brush and is used on larger areas of carpet (particularly on commercial carpet) using a rotary machine with brush heads. Hand cleaning usually cleans the top third of the carpet while machine cleaning can get the entire carpet.
• Encapsulation – Using specialized polymers in a cleaning solution, encapsulation methods work to literally encapsulate (crystallize) the soil in the carpet into the dry residues upon contact. This is one of the newest (and best) methods of dry cleaning available. Once the dirt has been encapsulated, it can be removed by vacuuming with a normal household vacuum. This method also keeps carpets cleaner for longer periods of time than most other methods.
• Bonnet – Bonnet methods rely on club soda (or another alkaline solution) mixed with cleaning chemicals and sprayed onto the carpet prior to cleaning. A bonnet is then used with a vibrating rotary machine or another type of oscillating machine. The soil in the carpet is then absorbed by the bonnet (or other type of absorbent pad).

There are disadvantages to dry carpet cleaning as well. On carpets with a high pile or a lot of padding (like most residential carpet), a complete carpet cleaning with dry cleaning methods is usually not recommended. It does not clean deep enough and it not meant to work on carpets that sit high or have a lot of padding.

Dry cleaning is also not the best option for removing stains such as urine or drink spills. In these cases it is far better to remove the dirt and the spilled (and maybe dry) liquids with steam cleaning. Dry cleaning is best utilized on areas that have become dirty as a result of normal carpet wear and high foot traffic.

Should I Choose Steam Cleaning or Dry Cleaning?

The answer to this question is going to depend on what kind of carpet you have and what kind of problems you have.

Here is a brief rundown of the situations in which to use either cleaning solution:

• Steam Carpet Cleaning
  • Residential carpet
  • Carpet with high pile
  • Carpet with a thick layer of padding underneath
  • Extremely dirty carpet
  • Carpet with lots of stains (urine, spills, etc.)
• Dry Carpet Cleaning
  • Commercial carpet
  • Carpet with low pile
  • Carpet without much padding underneath
  • Carpet with lots of soil from high foot traffic
  • Carpet without a lot of stains

Steam cleaning is the better option for residential carpet (in most cases) and dry cleaning methods are better for commercial carpet (in most cases). It makes sense to call a qualified professional to take a look at your carpet and give you their recommendations. Research online can only take you so far in cases like this and it is relatively easy to get yourself turned around. The question of steam carpet cleaning vs. dry carpet cleaning can be confusing at first, but when you understand the advantages and disadvantages of each you will be better able to make buying decisions when the time comes to get your carpet serviced.