Getting your carpets professionally cleaned every now and then is a great way to keep your home looking its best.
But with so many different cleaning methods out there, how can you decide which is the best option for your carpets? We’re here to help!
In this article, we’ll be taking a look at two popular carpet cleaning methods: carbonated carpet cleaning and steam cleaning.
We’ll compare the pros and cons of each, so you can decide which method makes the most sense for your home.
Read on to learn more about carbonated carpet cleaning vs. steam cleaning!
Carbonated Carpet Cleaning: What Is It & Why Choose It?
Carbonated carpet cleaning, also known as “dry” carpet cleaning, is a popular choice for those looking to get their carpets professionally cleaned.
This cleaning method utilizes an extremely hot, low-moisture approach to clean your carpet with millions of small bubbles.
This is in contrast to traditional carpet cleaning methods, which include wet cleaning, pre-treatment, and post-treatment.
When the carbonation is released, these bubbles rupture the dirt from deep inside your carpet fibers, lifting it up with them.
After that, high-powered machinery is used to remove all of the grime and wetness from the carpet.
Carbonated carpet cleaning improves the overall effectiveness of the cleaning process.
When using carbonated cleaning, you’ll get a better clean in less time, with less moisture. It also helps prevent the growth of mold and mildew in your carpets.
Here are some of the main benefits of carbonated carpet cleaning:
1. Long-Term Results
One of the main advantages of carbonated cleaning is that, compared to other techniques, carbonated cleaning produces long-lasting cleaning results.
This is because the millions of tiny carbonated bubbles can penetrate deep into your carpets and break apart dirt and stains that other methods miss.
2. Thorough Cleaning
Since carbonated carpet cleaning can penetrate all layers of the carpet and remove stains from places that might not be regularly cleaned, it offers far more thorough results than other methods.
During the carbonated cleaning process, the high pressure from the carbonated bubbles can force dirt and grime out of your carpet fibers, resulting in a deep clean.
3. Hygienic
Carbonated carpet cleaning has the potential to play a significant part in removing dangerous germs and insects that may be present in the carpet, which will ultimately result in an improvement to the situation as a whole.
Therefore, this carpet cleaning is ideal for households with children and pets as it can help to keep the air in your home free from allergens, bacteria, and dust mites.
4. Cost-Effective
Carbonation is a relatively cost-effective way to have your carpets professionally cleaned.
Since no shampoo is used, the only costs you’ll incur are for labor and equipment rental.
On the other hand, traditional methods of carpet cleaning can be quite expensive, as they require a significant amount of time and products to carry out correctly.
As per Shiny Carpet Cleaning, the average cost of carbonated carpet cleaning ranges from $125-$600.
5. Compatible With Most Carpeting Materials
Carbonated carpet cleaning is highly compatible with most carpet materials, making it one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways to get your carpets professionally cleaned.
This is because of its low-moisture approach, which, compared to traditional methods, requires almost no additional pre-treatment or post-treatment.
Whether you have wool, nylon, polyester, or any other type of carpeting material, carbonated carpet cleaning can safely and effectively clean it without damaging the fibers.
Steam Cleaning: What Is It & Why Choose It?
Steam cleaning is another popular method for deep cleaning carpets and upholstery.
It utilizes hot water, which is pumped through the carpet at high pressure to loosen and remove dirt, stains, allergens, and debris from the fibers.
The hot water vaporizes bacteria as it passes through the carpet, leaving it hygienic and refreshed. Additionally, steam cleaning is an eco-friendly option, as no harsh chemicals are used in the process.
Some technicians may apply cleaning agents to the carpet and then use steam to activate them, resulting in a deeper clean.
The main advantages of steam cleaning are that it is highly effective at removing tough stains and dirt and doesn’t leave any residue behind.
Additionally, it can be used on carpets of different materials without damaging them.
Here’s a closer look at the benefits of steam cleaning:
1. Chemical-Free Option
Steam cleaning is a fairly chemical-free carpet cleaning method, making it more environmentally friendly.
Compared to other conventional cleaning methods, steam cleaning uses significantly fewer chemicals due to its reliance on hot water as its primary cleaning component.
In addition to being harmless for you and your loved ones, steam cleaning is also great for the environment.
By lowering the total amount of pollutants that end up being flushed down the toilet and reintroduced into rivers, lakes, and oceans, steam cleaning contributes to a healthier planet.
2. Good For Allergy Sufferers
Couches, beds, and even fabrics can typically be found to be infested with allergens such as pollen, mold, pet dander, and dust mites.
These allergens spread through the air, causing various respiratory problems and allergies.
If you want to get rid of allergens like the waste of dust mites and pollen, steam carpet cleaning is the safest option for you.
Regularly steam cleaning your carpets eliminates these allergens and helps keep your home free of allergens.
3. Effective Against Dust Mites and Bugs
The typical cleaning procedures of dusting and vacuuming tend to leave some dust mites behind. This is because dust mites can survive deep within bedding, cushions, carpet, and other fabrics.
Steam cleaning is a more effective method of eliminating these dust mites since it reaches areas that regular vacuuming can’t.
The hot steam penetrates deep into carpets and fabrics and is able to kill almost all dust mites, bacteria, germs, bugs, and eggs on contact.
This is beneficial for those who suffer from asthma or allergies because steam cleaning is more effective at eliminating allergens than regular vacuum cleaners can.
4. Extends Carpet Life
Steam cleaning is one of the most effective ways for homeowners to extend the life of their carpets.
The hot water penetrates deep into carpets and fabrics, eliminating dust mites and dirt that can damage them over time.
Steam carpet cleaning also helps reduce wear and tear on carpets by removing trapped particles from the fibers.
By prolonging the life of your carpets, you save yourself money in the long run, as replacing them can be quite costly. Steam cleaning also helps keep your carpets looking new for longer.
5. Safer for Your Home
When it comes to carpet cleaning, people usually opt for products that contain harsh chemicals. However, besides being bad for the environment, these chemicals can also harm your family’s health.
They can cause respiratory problems and skin irritation when they come into contact with your skin or are inhaled.
Steam cleaning ensures that no harsh chemicals come into contact with your family, making it a safer method of cleaning carpets.
Carbonated Carpet Cleaning vs Steam Cleaning: What Is The Difference?
Now that you know more about carbonated and steam cleaning, it’s time to examine the differences between them.
1. Drying Time
When it comes to drying time, carbonated carpet cleaning has the upper hand.
This is because carbonated cleaning doesn’t use much water, which means that the carpets have less moisture in them.
This helps reduce the drying time significantly, so your carpets will be dry and ready to use quickly.
On the other hand, steam cleaning uses hot water as part of its cleaning process. This means that there’s more moisture left in your carpets after cleaning, and you need to wait a bit longer for them to dry.
Where carbonation takes 1-2 hours to dry, steam cleaning can take anywhere from 8-24 hours. That’s a huge difference that you should consider when deciding which cleaning method to use.
2. Cleaning Solutions
For carbonated carpet cleaning, all you need is the carbonated cleaner and some water.
This cleaner doesn’t contain harsh chemicals, so it’s safe for your home and the environment. The only downside is that it may not be able to eliminate extremely stubborn stains or dirt.
On the other hand, steam cleaning usually requires special detergents and solutions that contain chemicals in order to get rid of dirt and stubborn stains.
While this makes it more effective for cleaning, it also means that there are potentially hazardous chemicals being used in your home.
3. Cost
Probably the main consideration for most homeowners is the cost of cleaning their carpets. After all, no one wants to overspend on a cleaning job.
Fortunately, both carbonation and steam cleaning are fairly affordable options. Carbonation costs around $125-$600, whereas steam cleaning usually costs around $100-$500.
The cost of each job depends on factors such as the size of the area that needs to be cleaned, the type of carpet, and the amount of dirt or stain.
Wrapping Up
Deciding which cleaning method is best for your carpets really depends on what kind of results you’re looking for.
Carbonated carpet cleaning is a quick and easy way to clean your carpets without using harsh chemicals, whereas steam cleaning is more effective at removing deeply embedded dirt and stains.
Ultimately, it all comes down to personal preference. Regardless of which method you choose, both carbonated carpet cleaning and steam cleaning will help keep your carpets looking fresh and clean.
References:
What Are Average Carpet Cleaning Prices: 2022 Cost Guide
Our Carbonated Cleaning Process | Chem-Dry of Long Beach
How long does it take for carpet to dry after steam cleaning?
Daleyza knows a lot about carpets! She has worked with carpets for over 7 years and can help with things like putting them in, keeping them clean, and replacing them. She really likes carpets and spends most of her time learning about new ways to work with them. When she’s not learning about carpets, she enjoys reading books. She’s really good at helping people choose the right carpet for their homes and making sure they’re happy with it. If you want to know more about carpets, Daleyza is the person to talk to!