Dry Carpet Cleaning Vs. Steam Carpet Cleaning

Every time you call a carpet cleaning company, requesting their services, one question usually pops up; “dry carpet cleaning or steam carpet cleaning?” You could get stuck if you don’t know which one to go for, and for what reasons. This article explains everything to you.

What’s the difference?

If you’ve had your carpets cleaned by a professional, you are probably wondering what’s the difference between the two. No one gives detailed information, and there is a good reason for this; some dry cleaning methods are not even dry, and steam carpet cleaning does not use steam!

To know the difference between the two, we make a comparison of their purposes.

Steam carpet cleaning methods are a ‘restorative’ way of cleaning a carpet. The fibers of the rug are cleaned from top to bottom.

Dry cleaning methods are used for ‘maintenance’ purposes. Dry carpet cleaning methods clean only up to the top third of your carpet.

This is the standard difference between the two methods. The IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) and Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) tested both approaches and concluded that steam carpet cleaning cleans 100% of the carpet.

Dry carpet cleaning vs. steam carpet cleaning: Which one is better?

Now that steam carpet cleaning is the only method that cleans the carpet 100%, does it mean it’s the best method to use?

There is no better method. What is more important is using the appropriate method depending on how you want to clean your carpet.

Depending on the condition of your carpet, any of these methods could be more appropriate.

However, since it’s difficult to estimate “how dirty” your carpet is, most homes go for the steam cleaning method, especially the pet owners.

Business premises prefer dry cleaning methods for cleaning carpets in their offices.

Dry carpet cleaning vs. steam carpet cleaning explained.

If you are still unsure of which method to go for, here is a guide to choosing the most appropriate one.

Dry carpet cleaning

There are different dry carpet cleaning methods you can go for. Some dry cleaning methods are more aggressive than others.

● Dry compound: Simple and least aggressive method of all. Powder is spread on carpet and vacuumed after a few minutes. Since it’s fast, this method is used in high traffic areas that need to be cleaned quickly.

● Encapsulation and Dry foam absorption: The difference between the two is the product being applied. The product is put in a scrubber and pushed in the carpet, trapping dirt and soil.

● Bonnet cleaning: Works like other methods but with cotton placed at the bottom of the scrubber. The product breaks soils and dust, which then get trapped in the cotton.

● Shampoo: Rarely used today. It blends the bonnet and encapsulation methods.

Steam Carpet Cleaning

This method involves the use of hot water (not steam) for carpet cleaning.

Hot water, usually between 150-200 degrees Fahrenheit, is sprayed on the carpet or rug at very high pressure.

The high pressure loosens dust particles, which are later sucked by a vacuum cleaner.

This method is also called deep cleaning, and it’s known for removing 97% of the dust from carpets and rugs.

Get Carpet Cleaning Services

Today Regal Carpet Cleaning Service is one of the best carpet cleaning companies in the whole East Bay area.

Call us on (510) 250-0736 to get our expert services today.