The Pros and Cons of Carpet Cleaning Methods: Steam vs. Dry
By Pro Bond Cleaning|April 29, 2022
If you are in need of carpet cleaning, you might be wondering whether to steam or dry it. You might be feeling overwhelmed because you always want to make sure you are choosing a carpet cleaning method and company that can get out all the bad smells and stains on your carpet. Together with our friends from Best 1 Cleaning Brisbane we will break down the pros and cons of each method so you can make an informed decision. Let's get started!
What Method is Best to Clean Your Carpet?
There are two main ways to have your carpet cleaned- steam and dry. Steam cleaning can be used on almost any carpet. It’s often done with a portable machine or a truck-mounted machine with the truck option being the most powerful. This method is better if you need to do a really deep clean of your carpet.
It’s best if you have large stains or stains that have been on the carpet. It can also help to get the smell of pets out of the carpet if you feel like your home smells like your furry friend.
Dry Cleaning your carpet is considered more of a surface clean. It’s best for the rooms in your house where people are regularly eating or walking. Dry cleaning is recommended if you just need maintenance clean and not steam clean. The drying time is also faster if you are trying to get a quick clean in before a party or event.
Dry Cleaning + Pros and Cons
Dry cleaning comes with its own pros and cons.
Pros:
Cons:
Steam Cleaning + Pros and Cons
Steam cleaning also has its own pros and cons that you should know about before choosing to go with this method.
Pros:
DIY carpet cleaning: hire or buy?
If you need carpet cleaning, you might be wondering if you can do it yourself to save money. Many local supermarkets and retail stores sell or rent steam cleaning machines that you can use on your own for a fraction of the cost.
If you have young children and need to clean the carpet often, having a small machine at home can be useful to quickly clean up messes. There are some risks to cleaning your own carpet though.
The water will not get as hot as professional machines so your carpet will not be cleaned as efficiently. It will not be able to pull as much dirt out of the carpet. It will also not be able to pull as much water out of the carpet so you will have to wait longer for it to be completely dry.
Some people that use DIY solutions also find that deep stains do not come out or they return after the carpet dries.
If you go with a DIY solution though, you will be able to save money, control your own cleaning schedule, and only clean the areas that you want to be cleaned. [Text Wrapping Break]
Are the Chemicals Used in Carpet Cleaning Safe?
Anytime people are using chemicals in your home, you want to make sure they are safe for your family and your pets. Always ask the cleaning company what chemicals they use so you can research them and make a decision. You might also be able to find an environmentally friendly company that uses organic ingredients although they might charge higher prices.
Here are some dangerous ingredients to look out for and not to use:
Questions to ask a carpet cleaning company?
Always ask the carpet cleaning company the following:
Conclusion
Carpet cleaning is great for your home when done correctly because it can make your home feel new. Both steam and dry cleaning carpet methods have their own pros and cons, it all depends on the price you want to pay and how you want your carpets cleaned.
What Method is Best to Clean Your Carpet?
There are two main ways to have your carpet cleaned- steam and dry. Steam cleaning can be used on almost any carpet. It’s often done with a portable machine or a truck-mounted machine with the truck option being the most powerful. This method is better if you need to do a really deep clean of your carpet.
It’s best if you have large stains or stains that have been on the carpet. It can also help to get the smell of pets out of the carpet if you feel like your home smells like your furry friend.
Dry Cleaning your carpet is considered more of a surface clean. It’s best for the rooms in your house where people are regularly eating or walking. Dry cleaning is recommended if you just need maintenance clean and not steam clean. The drying time is also faster if you are trying to get a quick clean in before a party or event.
Dry Cleaning + Pros and Cons
Dry cleaning comes with its own pros and cons.
Pros:
- Quick-drying
- Often cheaper
- Takes less time
- Efficiently cleans heavily trafficked areas of your home
- Can often be done DIY
- Only takes 20 minutes before you can walk around your house again
Cons:
- Only a surface clean
- Powder can be left on the carpet if not vacuumed properly
- Powder build-up can lead to dust and allergens
- Does not clean as deep as steam cleaning
Steam Cleaning + Pros and Cons
Steam cleaning also has its own pros and cons that you should know about before choosing to go with this method.
Pros:
- Very deep clean
- Can get the soil out from deep into the carpet
- Most commonly used deep cleaning method
- Allows for better upkeep of the carpet for years to come
- The cleaning solvent is slow reacting
- Grooming tools allow cleaners to get the solvent completely out of the carpet
- Takes a long time to dry
- Quicker drying technicians and materials might cost you more money
- Much more expensive option for cleaning
- The most efficient cleaning needs bigger and more expensive equipment
DIY carpet cleaning: hire or buy?
If you need carpet cleaning, you might be wondering if you can do it yourself to save money. Many local supermarkets and retail stores sell or rent steam cleaning machines that you can use on your own for a fraction of the cost.
If you have young children and need to clean the carpet often, having a small machine at home can be useful to quickly clean up messes. There are some risks to cleaning your own carpet though.
The water will not get as hot as professional machines so your carpet will not be cleaned as efficiently. It will not be able to pull as much dirt out of the carpet. It will also not be able to pull as much water out of the carpet so you will have to wait longer for it to be completely dry.
Some people that use DIY solutions also find that deep stains do not come out or they return after the carpet dries.
If you go with a DIY solution though, you will be able to save money, control your own cleaning schedule, and only clean the areas that you want to be cleaned. [Text Wrapping Break]
Are the Chemicals Used in Carpet Cleaning Safe?
Anytime people are using chemicals in your home, you want to make sure they are safe for your family and your pets. Always ask the cleaning company what chemicals they use so you can research them and make a decision. You might also be able to find an environmentally friendly company that uses organic ingredients although they might charge higher prices.
Here are some dangerous ingredients to look out for and not to use:
- Sodium Carbonate/Sodium Hydroxide
- Quaternary Ammonium Chloride
- Isobutane/propane
- Hydrofluoric acid
- Butane
- Glycol ethers
Questions to ask a carpet cleaning company?
Always ask the carpet cleaning company the following:
- What methods of carpet cleaning are you most experienced with?
- Do you clean commercial carpets or domestic carpets?
- Do you offer written statements of your work?
- What chemicals do you use?
- How is the price determined?
- Are your company and services insured?
- Do you have any referrals or reviews?
Conclusion
Carpet cleaning is great for your home when done correctly because it can make your home feel new. Both steam and dry cleaning carpet methods have their own pros and cons, it all depends on the price you want to pay and how you want your carpets cleaned.
