Looking for carpet steam cleaning or hot water extraction service in Singapore? Steam Cleaning vs Hot Water Extraction: Which one is better for your carpet? When modern homeowners hear the words “steam cleaning,” they are likely thinking of a practice that isn’t commonly used anymore. Hot water extraction is the name of the game for carpet cleaning.
Many might not know the difference between these two things, but we certainly do! Read on to learn everything you need to know about these two cleaning methods and why one is preferred. Read on Steam Cleaning vs Hot Water Extraction: Which Is Better for Carpets?
What Is the Difference Between Steam Cleaning and Hot Water Extraction?
Steam cleaning and hot water extraction are two similar methods used to clean carpets. Not only are they similar, but they are often misconstrued for each other. However, they differ in a few crucial ways. While both methods use hot water to clean carpets, one method uses water that’s much hotter than the other one. The more burning process between the two would be steam cleaning, but more desirable doesn’t necessarily mean better. Most cleaners nowadays prefer hot water extraction to steam cleaning for various reasons.
Singapore Carpet Cleaning Pte Ltd is the leading carpet cleaning company in Singapore, providing top-quality carpet cleaning services for over a decade. We also specialize in commercial cleaning services, office carpet cleaning, and eco steam cleaning using safe and biodegradable non-toxic solutions.
What to Know About Steam Cleaning
Steam cleaning is simple to understand based on its name alone. Steam cleaning uses steam to clean carpets. Of course, this means that the water being used gets incredibly hot. There are a few reasons why steam cleaning is commonly considered too hot for carpets. For one thing, the intense heat it takes to generate the steam can warp the fibers of your carpet.
Given that people traditionally use cleaning to extend the lifespan of their carpets, this seems counterintuitive. Secondly, this intense heat can also make matters worse when it comes to bacteria. Besides extending a carpet’s lifespan, cleaning is also beneficial for disinfection. Steam cleaning can ironically increase bacteria growth within the fibers of your carpet, making the whole operation pointless.

The Hot Water Extraction Difference
Don’t be mistaken: the water used for hot water extraction is plenty hot. You can tell that just by looking at the method’s name! You may even notice some steam coming out of the equipment, but far less than when steam cleaning. Hot water extraction heats the water, but not to the point where most of it boils. Instead, it simply heats the water enough to clean your carpet effectively. With steam cleaning, it’s not the heat that tends but the moisture itself. Hot water extraction cleans just as well as smoke does, and then some! Hot water extraction gets stains with no problems, whereas steam cleaning often bakes them into the carpet. On that note, hot water extraction rinses the fibers of your carpet. Meanwhile, steam cleaning methods get them soaking wet and steaming hot, then call it a day.
Which Carpet Cleaning Method Is Preferred?
Modern cleaners are increasingly opting for hot water extraction over steam cleaning for all the aforementioned reasons. Hot water extraction is the best method for getting carpets back into tip-top shape. If you’re looking to clean your carpet without causing damage to its materials, this is the way. If you want to remove grime and bacteria from your carpet without worsening it, always choose hot water extraction. Hot water extraction will make your carpet look and feel brand new.
Here’s a comparison table between carpet steaming and carpet hot water extraction
| Comparison Factors | Carpet Steaming | Carpet Hot Water Extraction | 
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning Process | Uses steam to clean carpets. Does not typically involve cleaning agents. | Involves injecting hot water and a cleaning agent into the carpet, then extracting the water and dirt. | 
| Deep Cleaning | May not clean as deeply or remove as many types of stains because it does not use a cleaning agent. | Can provide deeper cleaning and remove a wider range of stains due to the combination of hot water, cleaning agent, and extraction. | 
| Drying Time | Usually faster drying time because it uses less water. | Typically has a longer drying time due to the large amount of water used, although modern equipment can minimize this. | 
| Effect on Carpet Fibers | Can be gentler on carpet fibers as it doesn’t use detergents. | May be slightly harsher on carpets due to the use of cleaning agents, but also can provide a more thorough clean. Properly executed, it should not damage your carpet. | 
| Best For | Regular maintenance cleaning and for more delicate or antique rugs that cannot withstand harsh treatments. | Heavy-duty or restorative cleaning when there are heavy soiling and deeply embedded stains. | 
Why You Should Let the Professionals Handle It
Regardless of whether you’ve chosen to clean with steam cleaning or hot water extraction, a lot of equipment is involved. Not only that, but there’s a lot of water involved. This water can seep into the wrong areas of your house if you’re not careful. Homeowners often oversaturate their carpets when cleaning for the first time. This can lead to mildew growth in the place, which can be a bigger problem than unclean carpets. If mildew growth doesn’t occur, then structural damage might.
Avoid Structural Damage, Mildew, and Detergent Film

Besides the water and equipment, carpet cleaning can require a professional touch due to the detergent. Hot water extraction typically involves using a detergent to help break down dirt and grime in the carpet. This detergent needs to be used carefully and sparingly. Otherwise, it may leave a nasty residue. Conversely, carpet cleaning doesn’t do much good if you don’t use it enough.
For this reason, the perfect touch is needed when cleaning your carpet. There are multiple reasons why detergent residue can be a bad thing. The most notable one is that detergent residue ironically acts as a magnet for dirt and grime! Besides that, who wants to walk barefoot on a carpet soaked with detergent film?
| Reasons to Choose Us? | Singapore Carpet Cleaning Pte Ltd | 
|---|---|
| Experience | With over 13 years of carpet & upholstery cleaning industry experience, we bring expertise in both carpet steaming and hot water extraction methods. | 
| Professional Staff | We are known for our responsive and helpful customer service. They can guide you in choosing the best cleaning method for your carpets and answer any queries or concerns you may have. | 
| Customized Services | We offer personalized services tailored to the specific needs and requirements of your carpet and premises. | 
| Quality Equipment | The company uses state-of-the-art equipment to ensure effective and safe carpet cleaning. | 
| Excellent Customer Service | We offer a satisfaction guarantee to ensure our customers are completely satisfied with the cleaning results. | 
| Satisfaction Guarantee | We offer a satisfaction guarantee to ensure our customers are completely satisfied with the cleaning results. | 
Contact Us Today to Experience Hot Water Extraction for Yourself!
If you want to experience the power of hot water extraction, contact us today! We’re anxious to get as many homeowners as possible turned on to the magic of hot water extraction. It may be time if you’ve noticed that your carpets aren’t looking their best. Clean carpets can also do wonders for the atmosphere of your home. Regardless of your reasons, we can help you get your carpets cleaner than ever!
Are you looking for reliable carpet cleaning services or any upholstery cleaning services in Singapore? Contact us today!