When considering professional carpet cleaning methods, it can be difficult to decide which one is the best for your home.
On the one hand, dry carpet cleaning promises virtually no drying time. On the other hand, wet carpet cleaning offers deep and intensive cleaning.
To help you make an informed decision about which method is best for your needs, this article will compare dry and wet carpet cleaning in terms of time, cost, results, and more.
Dry Carpet Cleaning: What Is It & Why Choose It?
As the name suggests, dry carpet cleaning does not require any water. It relies on a special powder that has been designed to attract dirt and dust particles from deep within the carpet.
During the cleaning process, your carpet is treated with a cleaning powder sprinkled directly onto the surface.
The powder is then agitated with a special machine to help loosen dirt and debris embedded in your carpet’s fibers.
Once the powder has had time to work, it is then vacuumed up with a powerful vacuum cleaner.
The main benefit of dry carpet cleaning is that it requires very little drying time. In most cases, carpets may be dry in as little as an hour.
This makes it perfect for busy households and those who don’t want to wait for several hours for a carpet to dry.
Some of the benefits of dry carpet cleaning include:
1. Quick Drying Period
The quick drying period of dry carpet cleaning is one of its key advantages, which is important for 24-hour businesses and facilities.
Traditional carpet cleaning can take up to 24 hours to thoroughly dry, requiring the fencing off or complete closure of certain areas of your business or home while the carpet dries.
In contrast, dry carpet cleaning dries in an hour or less, so you can get back to business quickly.
Dry carpet cleaning is preferred by businesses that work around the clock or need a short turnaround because carpets can be cleaned and used immediately.
2. No Water Marks Or Residue
Traditional carpet cleaning methods rely on a lot of water and cleaning solutions, which can leave carpets with unsightly marks and residue.
Dry carpet cleaning eliminates this problem because there is no need for water or detergent, so you don’t have to worry about any unpleasant stains or residues left behind.
Unsightly marks and residue can be a problem for carpets in high-traffic areas, so dry carpet cleaning is ideal for those locations.
3. Expansion And Shrinkage
When there are abrupt and significant changes in a carpet’s temperature and the amount of moisture it contains, certain types of carpets run the danger of experiencing shrinkage or expansion.
Since dry carpet cleaning adds minimal additional moisture to a carpet and is always performed at room temperature, there is no risk of shrinkage or expansion.
4. Extends Carpet Life
The more you care for your carpets, the longer they can last. Dry carpet cleaning is gentle on carpets and will not damage them as some traditional methods might, so you can expect a longer carpet life if you opt for this method of cleaning.
Where carpets in high foot traffic areas have a lifespan of 3-5 years, regularly dry cleaning carpets in these areas can help them last up to 10 years or more.
5. Health Benefits
One of the main reasons for hiring a professional is the health benefits of a thoroughly cleaned carpet.
There are several hard-to-reach places where dirt, dust, and grime can hide within the fibers of a carpet, which is why dry carpet cleaning is so important.
Dry carpet cleaning helps to remove allergens and other pollutants from carpets that are not reached by traditional methods.
It also helps to create a healthier environment in homes and businesses where people spend a lot of time indoors, reducing the amount of airborne pollutants that can cause respiratory problems and other health issues.
Dry Carpet Cleaning Demonstration
Wet Carpet Cleaning: What Is It & Why Choose It?
So Wet carpet cleaning, also known as steam cleaning or hot water extraction, is another popular method of carpet cleaning.
Wet carpet cleaning involves using hot water and a specialized detergent to thoroughly clean carpets.
The carpet is first shampooed using a pre-conditioning shampoo so that the detergent can work its way deep into the carpet’s fibers.
Then, hot water is sprayed onto the carpet, and a wet vacuum is used to remove the dirt and debris.
This carpet cleaning method also comes with some benefits:
1. Increases Lifespan
Your carpet is one of your home’s most valuable assets, and it sees heavy foot traffic all year round. Regular wet carpet cleaning can help increase its lifespan by removing dirt and grime that break down the furniture fibers over time.
By penetrating deep into the carpets, wet carpet cleaning can also remove allergens that may be trapped in your home’s carpets.
2. Makes It Look New
Nobody likes to look at a dirty and stained carpet. With wet carpet cleaning, you can bring back the original color of your carpets and make them look like new again.
The hot water will loosen any dirt, grime, pet hair, or dander stuck in your carpets’ fibers and made them look brand new.
3. Sanitizes the Carpet
Wet carpet cleaning not only cleans your carpets but also sanitizes them. This is because hot water can penetrate deep into the fibers of your carpets and kill any bacteria or germs that may be lurking there.
This can help keep your carpets hygienic and free from dust mites and allergens that can cause respiratory problems.
4. Eco-Friendly
Wet carpet cleaning is also a great eco-friendly option. Since no harsh or toxic chemicals are used, it can help reduce your carbon footprint and protect the environment from pollution.
Plus, the solutions that are used in this method can be biodegradable and non-toxic, so you don’t have to worry about them harming your family or the environment.
Compared to dry carpet cleaning, which relies on cleaning powder, wet carpet cleaning uses only water and detergent to clean carpets, which makes it a more eco-friendly option.
5. Removes Tough Stains
Wet carpet cleaning is also great for removing tough stains from carpets.
This is because it uses hot water, which is able to break down the stains more effectively than traditional carpet cleaning methods.
When combined with a special stain-removing solution, wet carpet cleaning can be an effective way to remove even the toughest of stains from carpets.
Wet Carpet Cleaning Demonstration
Dry Carpet Cleaning vs Wet Carpet Cleaning: What Is The Difference?
If you’re trying to decide between dry carpet cleaning and wet carpet cleaning, there are several aspects to consider. Here are some of the main differences between the two:
1. Drying Time
The drying time is arguably the most important difference between dry and wet carpet cleaning.
With wet carpet cleaning, it takes anywhere from a few hours to a whole day for the carpets to dry completely.
On the other hand, dry carpet cleaning requires virtually no drying time at all – you can vacuum and walk on your carpets right away! This solves the problems associated with walking on a wet carpet after cleaning.
This is important for people who don’t have the luxury of waiting for a carpet to dry or need their carpets cleaned in places where using water is not an option.
2. Cleaning Process
The process for dry carpet cleaning differs from that of wet carpet cleaning.
With wet carpet cleaning, the carpets are vacuumed first, then shampoo and hot water is applied to the carpet fibers. Afterward, the moisture is extracted using special machines.
Dry carpet cleaning, on the other hand, usually involves a dry powder that is sprinkled onto the carpets and agitated with a brush or machine. This breaks down dirt particles which can then be vacuumed up.
3. Effectiveness
In terms of effectiveness, wet carpet cleaning takes the cake. The hot water helps to break up dirt and grime, while the moisture helps to penetrate deep into the carpet fibers for a thorough cleaning.
That being said, dry carpet cleaning can still be effective in some cases, depending on the type of soil that needs to be removed.
If you have light soiling or just need your carpets freshened up, dry carpet cleaning can be a great option.
4. Cost
Finally, there’s the matter of cost. Wet carpet cleaning can be quite expensive due to the cost of water and labor required for the process.
Conversely, dry carpet cleaning is much more affordable since it requires minimal supplies and little to no labor.
According to Shiny Carpet Cleaning, the cost for dry carpet cleaning ranges from $75-$350, while wet carpet cleaning can range from $100-$500.
Bottom Line
Ultimately, the choice between dry and wet carpet cleaning will depend on your individual needs and situation. It’s always best to do some research to decide which method is right for you and your carpets.
If you need a thorough cleaning with quick drying time, dry carpet cleaning is the way to go. However, if you have tougher soiling or need more intensive cleaning, wet carpet cleaning is the better option.
References:
What Are Average Carpet Cleaning Prices: 2022 Cost Guide
How Does Dry Carpet Cleaning Work?
Which is Better – Wet or Dry Carpet 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!