When choosing between steam cleaning and shampooing your carpet, you really can't go wrong with both, but steam cleaning would be the better option. It removes more unseen pests and dirt, and can handle heavy-duty cleaning without making you wait long for drying.
Steam cleaning is a really effective and efficient way to lift build up from the carpet fibers, including mold and pet scents. It also is effective at improving the appearance of carpets that have been neglected over time.
A carpet shampooer uses a combination of detergent and water to clean carpets. A rotating brush loosens dirt in the carpet fibres while its powerful suction lifts dirt, stains and grime. On the other hand, a steam cleaner simply uses the power of hot water. It works by injecting hot, vaporised water into your carpets.
Hot Water Extraction
Otherwise known as steam cleaning, this is easily the most common professional carpet cleaning technique. Steam cleaning uses hot water at high pressure to penetrate into carpet fibers, breaking down the dirt and bacteria stored deep within. The hot water is then extracted via vacuum.
Because steam cleaning uses high temperatures, it actually destroys bacteria, viruses, and allergens, which makes it a much more effective cleaning method than others that provide only superficial aesthetic benefits.
There are a few disadvantages to using steam cleaners. One is that they can be expensive. Another downside is that they require a lot of water, which means you will need to empty and refill the tank often. Finally, steam cleaners can take longer to clean than other methods.
The best method of cleaning carpets is usually steam cleaning, which removes over 90% of dirt and bacteria from carpeting. Dry cleaning carpeting is also effective for ensuring carpets are ready for foot traffic as quickly as possible.
Clean With a Steam Cleaner
Removing the soil that weighs down fibers will make the carpet look fluffier. You can also hire professionals to deep clean the carpet yearly.
Your carpet will be only slightly damp to the touch after your cleaning. Most carpets typically need 6-10 hours to dry completely. However, it could take up to 24 hours to dry depending on the time of year your carpets are cleaned, and the air circulation, humidity and temperature in your home.
You should clean your carpet at least every 12 months to remove dirt, grime, and allergens. However, this schedule can vary depending on several factors in your household. If you have children or pets, you might shampoo your carpets more regularly.
Even if you vacuum regularly, dirt, grime, and stains can sink into carpet fibers deeper than a regular vacuum can reach. Thus, it's a good idea to shampoo your carpet once or twice a year, especially if you have pets in the home.
Most carpet manufacturers recommend that you get your carpet steam cleaned professionally, every 12-24 months to maintain appearance, however there is more to consider than just the appearance of your carpet. Carpet acts like a filter and helps trap air borne contaminants, which is great for your air quality.
Carpet steam cleaning is the process of pressurising hot water to penetrate deep into the carpet fibres to help soften and loosen embedded dirt, dust, skin cells, stains, and most importantly kill germs, bacteria, and viruses.
Most carpet manufacturers recommend having a professional steam clean the carpets every 12-18 months to maintain the warranty. That's the absolute minimum, according to the people who make carpet!
It keeps your carpets looking good for a longer period
The method is softer on the carpet than most other cleaners, so it will not cause the yellowing or fading that is common with strong chemicals. Not only does steam cleaning make your carpets appear better, but it also keeps them looking good for much longer.
Carpet should certainly be vacuumed prior to a professional carpet cleaning. A pre-vacuum removes dry soil, surface dust, and dander so you get a deeper cleaning.
One of the main reasons why carpets smell after a deep clean is the underlay. Basically, this part of the carpet padding is not exposed to direct light or air, so it takes a lot more time to dry properly. And you know what excess moisture leads to? Precisely – mould and mildew smell after carpet cleaning.
A steam cleaner used at the wrong temperature or over an area for too long can cause damage to almost any carpet, however commercial carpets as you would expect are more durable and this type of damage is less likely.
The drying time for steam cleaning is much less than for carpet shampooing. Great for getting rid of pests such as fleas and cockroaches and their eggs in the carpet as the temperature of the steam is much higher than what you can get in a carpet shampooer.
You can remove virtually any type of high traffic stain from your carpet by using a combination of water, vinegar, and baking soda. This method is less harmful than most commercial carpet cleaning processes and is much more affordable.
What can't I steam clean? Steam can warp unsealed floors, melt plastic, and cause laminate floors to swell. Don't steam clean these surfaces. Other surfaces on the do-not-clean list: cold windows, unglazed tile, those covered in water-based paint, and delicate surfaces.