Carpet adds that luxurious feel to your home in addition to the cosy warmth of your living space. You can sometimes see how fine the moulds and mildews look on your carpet, indicating the need for extensive cleansing. Revitalise your carpet gently through carpet shampoo cleaning and steam cleaning. Both of these processes are different from each other.
What is carpet shampoo cleaning?
Carpets are scrubbed through special soap on carpet shampoo cleaning- loosening dirt and stains for subsequent rinsing or vacuuming away. It is one of the oldest techniques available for deep cleaning.
How Does It Work?
1. Spreading the Foam
- A special shampoo covers the carpet.
- The sponge or foam serves to disintegrate all dirt, grease, and stains sticking inside the carpet.
2. Scrubbing the Carpet
- A brush or machine rubs the foam deep into the carpet, lifting grime and debris to the surface.
- It cleans the carpet of all the dirt and grime.
3. Removing the Foam
- After cleaning, rinse or vacuum the carpet to pull up dirt along with the foam.
- The carpet is finally clean and has a good fragrance.
Advantages of Carpet Shampoo Cleaning
- Easily Found Products: Carpet shampoos are inexpensive and easy to buy.
- Great for Tough Stains: This method handles strong stains and dirty areas well.
- Simple for Spot Cleaning: It’s handy for cleaning small spills or dirty patches.
Downsides of Carpet Shampoo Cleaning
- Sticky Leftovers: If not rinsed well, shampoo can leave behind a sticky coating that attracts more dirt.
- Takes Time to Dry: Wet carpets may take hours or days to dry completely, which might cause problems like mould.
- Buildup : Shampoo molecules can build up and make the carpet look dingy.
What Is Carpet Steam Cleaning?
Carpet steam cleaning, or hot water extraction, cleans carpets using high-temperature steam and water. Instead of soap, this method depends on heat and water pressure to clean.
How Does It Work?
- Preparing the Carpet
- Before steaming, a cleaning spray softens the dirt.
- The carpet is cleaned before the process of steam cleaning starts.
- Steam and Water Cleaning
- A carpet steam cleaner sprays hot water onto the carpet, loosening dirt while pulling it out simultaneously.
- The steam kills bacteria and cleans deeply.
- Drying Quickly
- The machine removes most of the water, so carpets dry faster.
- It can take 5 to 12 hours for the carpet to dry.
Advantages of Carpet Steam Cleaning
- Gentle on Nature: Steam cleaning uses little or no chemicals, relying mostly on water and heat.
- Cleans Deeply: This method deepens into fibres to remove allergens, germs, and stains.
- Quick Drying: The process pulls out a lot of water, so carpets dry faster than shampooing.
Downsides of Carpet Steam Cleaning
- High Cost for Machines: Good-quality steam cleaners can cost more to buy or rent.
- Not for Delicate Carpets: Heat can harm delicate carpets or those made from natural fibres.
- Mould and mildew: After the steam cleaning, the remaining water can cause mould and mildew growth, which can be a health risk.
Key Differences Between Carpet Shampoo Cleaning and Steam Cleaning
1. How They Clean
- Shampoo cleaning depends on soapy foam to loosen dirt.
- Steam cleaning uses heat and water pressure to lift grime.
2. Level of Cleaning
- Shampooing removes surface dirt and stains well.
- Steam cleaning dives deeper for a thorough clean.
3. Leftovers
- Shampooing may leave a residue if not rinsed properly.
- Steam cleaning leaves no residue because it extracts dirt and water together.
4. Drying Time
- Shampooed carpets take longer to dry.
- Steam-cleaned carpets dry faster due to better water removal.
5. Eco-Friendliness
- Shampooing uses more chemicals, which might not be good for the environment.
- Steam cleaning is cleaner and greener because it mostly uses water.
When Should You Choose Carpet Shampoo Cleaning?
Choose shampoo cleaning when:
- Your carpet has heavy stains or very dirty spots.
- You want an affordable and quick solution.
- The dirt is mostly on the surface and doesn’t go deep into the fibres.
When Should You Choose Steam Cleaning?
Pick a carpet steam cleaner for:
- Regular cleaning to keep carpets fresh and healthy.
- Homes with pets, children, or people with allergies.
- Carpets that need a deep clean and sanitization.
Cost Comparison
Carpet Shampoo Cleaning
- Shampoos: Easy to find and cheaper than steam cleaning.
- Machines: Affordable to rent or buy.
Carpet Steam Cleaning
- Machines: Higher cost to rent or purchase but worth it for deeper cleaning.
- Savings: Using fewer chemicals can save money over time.
DIY vs. Professional Cleaning
Both methods work for do-it-yourself (DIY) cleaning or professional services.
DIY Cleaning
- In the process of shampoo cleaning simple and affordable basic tools are used.
- In the process of steam cleaning it needs renting or buying a good-quality machine.
Professional Services
- Experts use better tools for deeper and more thorough cleaning.
- Steam cleaning services may cost more, but they deliver a higher level of cleanliness.
Quick Tips for Choosing the Right Method
Look at Your Carpet’s Dirt Level
- For light dirt or surface spots, shampoo cleaning works.
- For deep stains or germs, steam cleaning is better.
Check How Much Time You Have
- Steam cleaning dries faster, making it more time-friendly.
- Shampoo cleaning takes time.
Think About Allergies
- Steam cleaning removes allergens, making it ideal for sensitive homes.
- Shampoo cleaning doesn’t remove allergies making it sensitive for homes.
Think About Costs
- Shampooing is cheaper and it doesn’t last for longer and requires shampooing again.
- steam cleaning lasts longer and cleans better.
Conclusion
Both have their own strengths. Shampooing does well in getting rid of tough stains and dirt fast, but steam cleaners dive deep into the carpets to sanitise. Just knowing what your carpet needs and what your intention is will get you the perfect method to clean those inviting and fresh carpets.