Home Vacuum Zone is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com
When decorating your home’s interiors, you always count on your carpets. Carpets can add warmth and color to your house. However, carpets do have the caveat of capturing dust and dirt very well. That’s why they require regular cleaning.
You can remove spills and dust and improve the durability and beauty of the carpet while making your house look cleaner. Regular cleaning of the carpet will preserve the carpet’s warranty.
So what is the best type of professional carpet cleaning? The answer depends on which type of carpet you are interested in cleaning. Dry cleaning is better if you are looking for a quicker clean on a carpet that sees high traffic.
Opt for wet cleaning if you want to go for a deeper clean in old carpets. DIY methods are the most economical option and allow for maximum customization.
Now, let us look at the different types of professional carpet cleaning in detail.
Different Types of Professional Carpet Cleaning
There are different ways to clean your carpet, and each type will have its pros and cons. Let us look in detail at each type along with its pros and cons so it will be easier for you to choose the best way to clean your carpet the next time.
There are two main ways to clean your carpet: dry carpet cleaning and wet carpet cleaning. Dry carpet cleaning uses very low moisture or no moisture at all. In contrast, wet carpet cleaning, also known as hot water extraction (or carpet steam cleaning), uses water to clean the carpet.
Dry Carpet Cleaning
Dry carpet cleaning relies on the combination of dry compounds and applications that require quick drying time. Usually, with this method, any fiber dries to its natural state in less than two hours.
Dry cleaning is mainly used to clean high-traffic areas that need fast drying. Under the dry cleaning method, most professionals use these three processes to clean the carpet.
#1 – Dry Foam
Using this process, a cleaning solution is evenly sprayed over the carpet and then whipped into foam. It can be brushed or scrubbed using a machine. All the dirt gets stuck to the foam, and the foam is then vacuumed, carrying all the dirt. As a result, the carpet gets dried quickly in no time.
#2 – Dry Powder
Following this process, dry powder mixed with a cleaning solution is spread all over the carpet. You need to scrub the mixture using a brush and wait for it to absorb all the dirt. The dry material is then vacuumed, and the carpet gets dried quickly.
#3 – Bonnet Cleaning
This method involves cleaning the carpet using a motorized machine with a spinning pad mixed with a cleaning solution to absorb all the dirt.
Pros
- The dry cleaning method is a straightforward way of cleaning the carpet and does not require any technical training.
- With this method, the carpet dries quickly. Usually, the whole process takes just 20 minutes before you can use the carpet again.
- This method is relatively more affordable than other ways of cleaning the carpet.
Cons
- The dry cleaning method cleans the top surface of the carpet and is not ideal for interim cleaning.
- If the carpet is badly stained, then this method may not be able to clean the carpet thoroughly.
Wet Cleaning
This method uses hot water extraction and is sometimes called steam cleaning. Using this method, the carpet is first pre-conditioned with a shampoo or a chemical cleaner to lift dirt stuck in the carpet.
Hot water and detergent are then injected into the carpet and vacuumed out. This method is best to use for deep cleaning carpets and it does not leave any odor or residue on your carpet, making it look and smell clean and fresh.
Pros
- The steam used in wet cleaning methods works great to kill all the harmful bacteria and fungi from the carpet.
- This method works great to remove the carpet’s deep embedded dirt and dust.
- This is one of the best ways to clean the carpet, and most carpet manufacturers recommend this cleaning method.
Cons
- Your carpet can take around 12 to 24 hours to dry completely.
- It is relatively expensive relative to other methods of carpet cleaning.
DIY Carpet Cleaning
Nowadays there are carpet cleaning machines available for rent. You will mostly find these in most hardware stores.
When using a DIY machine, you will find that the water may not get as hot as a professional cleaning machine. And also, the machine will not have as much power as that of a professional machine. So it will not remove as much dust from the carpet. Make sure to buy one of the best home carpet cleaners you can afford.
Pros
- Using a DIY cleaning method can save a lot of money.
- You don’t have to schedule an appointment with a professional and clean the carpet on your own time. You can customize your cleaning and choose your own cleaning agents.
Cons
- Using the DIY method may take a lot of time to dry.
- This method will not deep clean the dirt and dust like a professional cleaning machine, as it will not have the same power and suction capability.
What to Look For When Hiring a Professional Carpet Cleaner
When hiring a professional carpet cleaner, look for quality cleaning equipment, experience, and understanding of the types and requirements of carpets:
- Look for a certified professional carpet cleaner from the organization.
- Ensure to show all the stains and spills on the carpet to the professional that is to be cleaned so the professional can target those areas and also quote a price for you.
- It is also essential to look at the carpet manufacturer’s suggestions when treating any form of stain. As some stain treatments can cancel the carpet warranties.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the type of cleaning method for your carpet depends on your situation. The wet cleaning method is the best option if you want to remove the deeply embedded dirt from the carpet. The dry cleaning method will be a better option if you want to remove the top layer of dust from the carpet. Whichever method you choose to clean your carpet, make sure it works best on your carpet.