Carpet Shampooing Vs Carpet Hot Water Extraction

Carpet cleaning is probably one of the most time consuming aspect of home or office space maintenance. The two most common ways of doing so is to shampoo the carpet or to use a hot water extraction cleaning system to remove dust, dirt and grime so that the carpet will look as good as new. A clean carpet keeps the home clean and smelling fresh. Regular cleaning also prolongs the life of the carpet which is something you as a homeowner wants especially if your carpet is expensive. Here are some points to consider if you are choosing between the two. 

Shampooing uses a circular scrubbing motion that effectively removes thick layers of grime and dirt. The brushing motion loosens carpet fibers, dirt and grime, making it easier to lather. It is usually more suitable for smaller carpets and area rugs and requires a relatively longer drying time than hot water extraction, although both use water. This could be a bit of a problem in cold weather. Steam cleaning does not agitate carpet fibers as much as shampooing does, and drying times are much shorter, making steam cleaning a more suitable alternative if you are cleaning the carpet in rainy or cold weather. Another problem with shampooing is that it can thin both synthetic and natural carpet fibers in the long run especially if you shampoo your carpets too often. 

How water extraction is best suited for natural fibers. Carpets made with natural fibers are cleaned best with hot water to prevent shrinkage and is effective for treating stains. Shampooing may damage natural fibers and may not be as effective in removing pet stains and urine as hot water extraction is. 

You can clean your carpets yourself with a carpet shampooing machine since there are portable machines that are available for home use. There are equipment rental companies that rent out carpet cleaning machines to homeowners who want to do the job on their own. Hot water extraction, on the other hand, is a complicated process that requires professional expertise so you need to pay another person to do the job for you. Most carpet hot water extractors are truck mounted machines that are not often for rent, so even if you know how to operate complex machinery, you still need to hire a professional cleaning company to have your carpets cleaned this way.

Shampooing may leave residues on the carpet fiber since rinsing will always leave behind shampoo residue, no matter how small. When residue accumulates on the fibers, they attract dirt more easily. Hot water extraction does not leave any residue in the carpet fiber since most hot water extraction machines use a simple mixture of water and heat to loosen dirt and grime and suction. There are instances when cleaning solutions are used with hot water extraction but the residue left behind is small due to the efficient suction system present in hot water extraction machines. 

Hot water carpet cleaning wands are more flexible than carpet shampooers, making them more suitable for wall-to-wall carpeting and places that are difficult to reach with a carpet shampooer. 

Shampooing does not remove germs and bacteria that are present in dirty carpets. Due to the use of hot water, carpet hot water extraction has a better chance of removing germs, parasites, and other organisms from your carpet, giving your carpet a deeper, more thorough clean. Hot water extraction is also better at removing dirt that has long remained in the carpet. The hot water can dissolve and loosen dirt without thinning carpet fibers. 

If you are a homeowner, both methods are suitable especially if you factor in your needs, the kind of carpet you have, and your budget for carpet maintenance. The bottom line is that both methods are effective, but hot water extraction comes out as superior because it offers a more efficient cleaning ability, does not damage carpet fibers are much as carpet shampooing, and is suitable for both synthetic and natural fibers so you can really extend the life of your carpet. Our technicians use high powered, industrial hot water extraction machines so you can rely on quality carpet cleaning services that will leave your carpets and area rugs looking as good as the day you bought them.