When it comes to cleaning your carpet, there are two major options available: steam and dry cleaning.  Each involves its own distinctive process.  How effective they are and the various perks and flaws they carry also differ.

Steam Cleaning

Steam cleaning is cleaning by means of water extraction.  Any carpet stains found are first treated with pre-cleaning agents and then sprayed to reduce surface tension into the carpet.  For the treatment proper, water is injected into the carpet.  How deep it goes depends on whether or not it has been effectively treated with the compounds and spray; the better prepped and sprayed it is, the deeper it goes.  The water is later extracted, carrying with it dirt, soil and any other impurities that bind themselves to it.

How effective it is largely depends on how good the carpet cleaner’s pre-cleaning agents are.  Also, it’s a slow process that only works well if the cleaner is willing to take the proper time necessary to extract all of the dirt-filled water from the carpet after it has been injected.

Unfortunately, the major downside to steam cleaning is how long it takes for the carpet to completely dry, which can range anywhere from four to 24 hours.  Furthermore, without effective pre-cleaning solvents, steam cleaning doesn’t work well against oily stains; if they’re not removed entirely, their marks will soon return after the remnants attract new bits of soil and other impurities.

Dry Cleaning

Large parts of this process actually aren’t dry at all; they just don’t involve completely saturating the carpet.  During this process, carpets are first pre-vacuumed in order to remove any dry soil therein.  Then, the carpet is covered in dry cleaning solution: a combination of solvents mixed with water that breaks down the oily residue that binds dirt to carpet fibers, making the dirt much easier to remove.

From there, absorbent cotton pads are immersed in water with conditioning rinse and placed under a rotary machine, which spins the pads into the carpet, releasing all the dirt.  The pads are continually replaced during this step, as they fill up with dirt quickly.

The big advantage to dry cleaning is that it doesn’t take long for the carpet to fully recover from the operation, being completely dry immediately afterwards and becoming totally dry within two hours.  Much like with steam cleaning, though, the effectiveness of dry cleaning depends a lot on the quality of the pre-cleaning agents being used.

Which One is Best For You?

Dry cleaning is a generally more effective method of making your carpet cleaner, faster.  However, environment must be considered as well, as the compounds necessary for effective dry cleaning are strong; your carpet will be back to normal faster but you may be equally inconvenienced by the strong fumes that take awhile to get rid of after the cleaning.

Let Us Find What’s Best For You

Either way, High Quality Carpet happily provides both types of services. Give us a call at (732) 356-6800 and our experienced staff will be able to tell you which method suits your carpet the best.