dry foam
With this method, a shampoo is applied directly to your carpet. Once the shampoo is dry, the cleaning provider will vacuum up the shampoo. There is no rinsing involved with this method.
advantages
- economic method
- low humidity
- dries fast
cons
- Minimal dirt is removed
- Leaves an invisible residue that attracts dirt.
- Can get dirty again quickly
- surface cleaning only
- Could cause embedded stains to resurface
dry, absorb dust
The dry compound method is accomplished by spreading a moist, absorbent powder over the carpet. The powder is then allowed to dry. Once drying is complete, the provider vacuums the areas of the carpet.
advantages
- economic method
- low humidity
- dries fast
cons
- A minimum of dirt is removed from the carpet.
- Leave dry sponge particles inside the mat.
- Surface cleaning only, no deep cleaning
- Could cause embedded stains to resurface
Absorbent pad (bonnet cleaning)
A large cotton bonnet in the shape of a circle is placed on a special tool that causes the bonnet to rotate. The rotating action causes the bonnet to absorb dirt from the surface fibers of the carpet.
advantages
- economic method
- low humidity method
cons
- Minimal dirt is removed
- Could cause deeply embedded spots to come back
- The hood should be changed frequently to avoid spreading dirt around the carpet.
Hot water extraction (steam cleaning)
This is the most popular carpet cleaning method on the market today. With this method of carpet cleaning, a mixture of hot water and carpet cleaning solution is applied to the carpet under high pressure and then extracted from the carpet.
advantages
- Maximum dirt removal (deep cleaning)
- Recommended by leading carpet manufacturers
- Most Common Cleaning Method
cons
- Excessively wetting the carpet could cause serious carpet repair problems.
- Longer drying period compared to other methods (typically a few hours)
- Costs more than any other cleaning method
The best way to ensure you achieve your carpet cleaning goal is to simply ask the provider what carpet cleaning methods they offer. Make sure the carpet cleaning method you select achieves your goal.