Carpets are a wonderful way to add style to any room in your home. They are available in various sizes and thickness as well as a variety of textures, grades, shapes, styles, patterns and colors. Modern carpets are designed to hide dirt and resist stains and when they are properly maintained they improve the comfort and beauty of your home. Carpet cleaning should be a priority for all home owners.

Carpet cleaning agents are manufactured to release dirt from the carpet and remove it from the carpet surface. All carpet cleaning methods are not equal but since every method has its own pros and cons there is no definition of the best carpet cleaning method. The most common carpet cleaning methods which carpet cleaners use are steam cleaning, dry cleaning or dry foam carpet cleaning. Let us explore three different carpet cleaning methods, which one you might find most suitable to your needs and offer you the best outcome in a cost-benefit analysis.

Hot Water Extraction

In this method the technician applies extremely hot water combined with a carpet cleaning solution, the hot water will rinse and remove the dirty water solution from the carpet. This method quite often disinfects and cleans the dirt and contaminants from the carpets during the carpet cleaning process. There are portable machines as well as truck mounted units used with this method. Some carpet manufacturers frequently recommend this method of carpet cleaning however there are some drawbacks to it.

The main effects of wet carpet cleaning methods are the loosening of top dirt to give a temporary clean look. This liquid gets into the carpet backing which is known to carry risks of mildewing, rotting, seam splitting, delamination, shrinkage, wood rot, and other problems. Another disadvantage of wet carpet cleaning is a phenomenon known as "wicking". Because of the large quantities of cleaning solutions used some stains disappear only to reappear once the carpet is fully dry.

Dry Powder Method

In this method the technician will sprinkle absorbent granules containing dry cleaning solvent over a section of carpet and work it into the pile either mechanically or with a hand brush. The granules dissolve and absorb any oils or greasy soil in the carpet. Once the carpet is thoroughly dry and the dirt is extracted from the carpet by the granules, the technician removes the granules by vacuuming. Some advantages to this method are that it is quick drying, effective for spot cleaning and good for delicate or non colorfast carpets. Some disadvantages are that it can be a problem removing all of the granules and you don't always get great results on heavily soiled carpets.

Dry Foam Method

This method of carpet cleaning is one of the oldest methods of carpet cleaning and many carpet cleaning companies use it. Dry Foam carpet cleaning systems apply a low moisture foam carpet cleaning solution just ahead of a cylindrical brush. The dry foam encapsulates the dirt from the rug fibers and the cylindrical brush combs and lifts the pile all the way to the base of the carpet. This dirt is immediately extracted with a powerful built-in vacuum. The carpet is left with the pile opened, it restores the original luster and colours to the carpet and most carpets dry very quickly.

In recent years, an increased awareness has developed within the carpet industry of both the severe disadvantages of wet carpet-cleaning methods and the important advantages of a dry extraction carpet-cleaning method. No matter what type of cleaning method is chosen, the best carpet cleaning method depends on the expertise and experience of the cleaner. When you hire professional cleaners, it is their expertise and dedication that leave your carpet dirt free, no matter what carpet cleaning methods they use.

The main benefit is that the beauty of your home is maintained and because of this you will improve the life of the carpets in your home which will help to maintain its value.