Steam cleaning is one of the most effective ways of getting dirt and grime out from between the tiny fibers of your home’s carpet. Scotchgarding your fabric goes a long way in preventing these particles from settling in in the first place, but steam cleaning will make sure your carpet stays fresh and the colors enhanced.
Steam cleaning is also known as “high pressure hot water extraction”, or simply “hot water extraction”. This name makes sense as the hot water or steam is one of the best methods to separate allergens, bacteria, and dirt from the carpet threads. For tougher stains, heat is almost always recommended to really lift the gunk.
Steam cleaning is the method that is simply water heated to 200 degrees or more. Deodorizing for a fresh, clean feeling can also be added to this process. Any contaminants or health hazards that have set up shop in your carpet will surely be killed with steam cleaning.
There are many benefits to cleaning your carpets with steam. Steam cleaning leaves chemicals that are harmful to you, your children, and your pets at the door. Foam, shampoo, and absorbent methods of carpet cleaning use powerful chemicals and leave residue behind. Check with your carpet cleaning professional to be sure that any pre-treatment and cleaning agents used in your steam cleaning session are all-natural. Hot water extraction is also useful in softening the carpet for a much more comfortable surface in your home.
Some types of carpet are not conducive to steam cleaning, however. Berber carpeting, for example, reacts poorly to being saturated with water. Older carpets and loose rugs should not be steam cleaned as it could lead to shrinkage, uprooting of the adhesive strips, or tearing of the fabric itself. Synthetic and wool carpets can be steam cleaned, though their pre-treatments vary.
If you are considering steam cleaning your carpets, be sure to plan for a day’s worth of drying time — anywhere from 12 hours to 24 hours. There is no substitute for professional knowledge and experience when it comes to things like extraction and air flow. If these processes are botched, your carpets will not come out as clean as you expected or mold may start to grow, serving only to compound your headaches.
For tough stains — especially those that are set in — professionals certified by the IICRC (like those at Precision Carpet Care) have the best equipment and training to steam your carpets clean without ruining the fabric.
