The best method for cleaning your carpet will depend on:
- What your carpet is made of – the fibres
- Whether your carpet has been treated for stain resistance
- Where the carpet is
- The amount of traffic on the carpet
- The importance of drying time
- Whether anyone in the home has allergies
All methods have advantages. Professional cleaners should be able to advise you on the best method for your home or business.
Here are the most commonly used methods:
Hot Water Extraction or "Steam" Cleaning
A hot water cleaning solution is sprayed on the carpet using a high-pressure jet spray. A wet vacuum, which may be portable or truck-mounted is used to suck up the solution, water and dirt. Steam cleaning is the most common method used by professionals. The best steam cleaning methods involve a number of stages, including a thorough pre-vacuum to remove the dry soils from the carpet before they are wet and turn to mud, treating spots and stains, pre-spraying with a cleaning solution, agitation of the cleaning solution into the carpet pile, hot water extraction (this should include the rinsing of the carpet with neutralising agent) and deoderising.
Shampooing
A cleaning solution is shampooed onto the carpet using a circular brush. The rotary action of the brush creates a foam that traps the soil. This is then removed as the foam is vacuumed away.
Bonnet Cleaning
This method of cleaning (generically referred to as “dry” cleaning in Australia) uses chemicals and heat in the cleaning process to break down the “oily” build up in the carpet fibre (this is what causes the dirt that cannot be removed with vacuuming to stick to the carpet fibre). Absorbent pads rotate at high speed under a rotary machine (floor polisher type machine called a bonnet machine), picking up the soils & oils in the carpet. This segment of the carpet cleaning industry is dominated by franchise companies that capitalise on the performance of the cleaning chemicals of that particular franchise organisation. A good bonnet or dry clean will include a thorough pre-clean vacuum, spot and stain treatment, treatment of carpet with the appropriate solvent based cleaning solution and the dry cleaning process. A carpet dry cleaning service should also include the application of a neutralising or conditioning rinse as well as sanitising and deoderisin
Foam Cleaning
The detergent used in this method is a foam. The machine generates the foam and uses brushes to agitate the foam on the carpet. An extraction vacuum is used to pick up the foam and the trapped soil.
Absorbent compound (encapsulation) Cleaning
An absorbent cleaning agent (powder) is sprinkled on the carpet and worked into the pile by a machine. After a half an hour it is vacuumed off, removing the soil suspended by the compound.
Cleaning method |
Best for |
Advantages |
Disadvantages |
Steam/hot water extraction |
Residential and commercial
Best in summer months |
It is a good deep restorative clean. Carpets stay cleaner longer |
Floors are wet for 1- 6 hours depening on the exiupment being used, the technican and the weather. |
Shampooing |
Areas regularly cleaned that need to look and smell good, such as commercial and retail areas. |
Uses brighteners and deoderisers so looks and smells good initially |
Surface clean only, not deep clean |
Bonnet cleaning |
Residential and Commercial. Ideal in winter months |
Involves less water than hot water extraction cleaning leaving carpets drier.
Effective at restoring appearance of carpet. |
Is not a deep restorative clean |
Foam cleaning |
Hallways, large traffic areas |
Good for maintenance |
Must vacuum 1-2 hours later.
Foam residue can stay on carpet and attract dirt. |
Encapsulation cleaning |
Commercial areas with high traffic where appearance is important. |
Don’t have to wait for carpets to dry
|
Will not clean heavily soiled areas. Requires vacuuming after the application of the powder |
DIY rental |
Homes |
Do it when it suits you.
Can be cheaper (marginally) |
Leaves carpet wet too long If not done properly can cause damage |
