First let’s take a look at what steam carpet cleaning is all about.
Steam carpet cleaning involves extremely hot water being sprayed and then immediately extracted or sucked up by a pump. The carpet shampoo solution is pressurized and therefore will penetrate through the thickest types of carpet. The heat and pressure of the water, as well as the special formula in carpet shampoos loosens grime that may have been ground deep into the carpet fibers.
The best results will be achieved if a high powered extraction vacuum system is used to remove the water that has been infused into the carpet. In fact it is imperative that the water be removed to ensure a healthy carpet after shampooing.
Professional Carpet Cleaning or Home Carpet Shampoo
The process of steam carpet cleaning with a carpet shampooer can be done by a team of professionals who use commercial grade carpet shampoo cleaners and carpet shampoo machines that are industrial strength.
Carpet shampooing can also be done by a home owner if he/she has a portable carpet shampoo machine like the Kirby carpet shampoo machine or the Hoover or Electrolux carpet shampoo equipment that is readily available. Carpet shampooing can also be done DIY by getting a carpet shampoo rental from a supermarket or other rental location.
Since there are so many choices, from portable steam carpet cleaners to powerful truck-mounted units, it may difficult to decide how best to spend your money. Since one steam carpet shampoo cleaning may cost over $100 and buying some of the portable machines may be only $200, it really comes down to how often you need to have a carpet shampooing treatment. Because the same basic result will be achieved whether you buy a portable carpet shampoo machine or hire a professional to do it for you.
The basic principal is based on hot water, carpet shampoo and some form of extraction method. (There is also dry foam carpet shampoo but that is another article.)
What you want is to remove stains and generally make your carpet come back to life. You also want to care for your carpet so it lasts longer and carpet shampoo cleaners help to achieve this.
Problems with Steam Cleaning Carpet Shampoo methods
The major problem that arises with steam cleaning your carpets with carpet shampooers are that often the carpets are left too wet and may a long time to dry and thus cause potential problems with mildew or mold. If the suction, or extraction of the water, is done with proper equipment, this side effect can be minimized greatly.
What kinds of Steam Cleaning is Best
When looking for the best carpet steam cleaners for your home you must consider that there are two main forms of steam cleaning currently in use. The first sprays hot liquid into the carpet, then with agitation brings up grime and dirt, and finally is extracted with more hot water. This is an effective carpet shampooing option as long as the carpet is properly rinsed; otherwise there may be residue in the carpet that makes it more prone to re-soiling afterward.
The other carpet shampoo method is to use an emulsifying pre-spray which is applied to the entire carpet, the fibers are moved and brushed, and then the fluid is extracted with a wand while a special solvent rinses the residue from the fibers. Because of the final step with the use of a rinsing agent, this form of steam cleaning, or carpet shampooing, is the most effective of the “wet” methods.
