What Are the Disadvantages of Steam Carpet Cleaning

What is Steam Carpet Cleaning?

Steam carpet cleaning sometimes called hot water extraction is one of the most commonly used techniques for cleaning carpets. It makes use of hot water under pressure and a spraying action on the carpet fibers to agitate dirt stains and bacteria. The steam, which may be applied with a cleaning solution, is then quickly vacuumed with a strong vacuum and your carpets are revitalized and cleaner.

People who want to give their carpets a clean look can try steam cleaning, sometimes called hot water extraction as one of the most effective ways. This typically assures that services include thorough cleaning, thorough disinfection, and even stain washing. However, as much as steam carpet cleaning is effective, there are some drawbacks associated with this method of carpet cleaning, which you should be aware of before making an appointment.

Is Hot Water Extraction the Same as Steam Cleaning?

Even though hot water extraction and steam cleaning sound very similar, the two processes are not identical.

Hot Water Extraction involves the use of hot water with some detergents which are then injected right into the carpet texture and then vacuumed. The general term used for this cleaning process is steam cleaning, but the fact of the matter is that it is not really steam that is being used here but hot water.

Steam Cleaning on the other side uses water that is heated to a high level to produce steam then used to clean the carpet.

Both are good, but hot water extraction is the most popular because it is less damaging to carpets and leaves less moisture behind. If you are worried about drying time and potential damage, you might choose hot water extraction as opposed to steam cleaning.

Disadvantages of Steam Carpet Cleaning & How to Overcome it?

Steam carpet cleaning seems to be the easiest option but there are several things that you should be careful about before you adopt this method. Now, to make it effective let’s look into some of the disadvantages.

Long Drying Time

Generally, steam cleaning entails a high use of water, and this is usually followed by some hours of wetting of the carpets depending on the type ranging from 6 hours up to 24 hours. This takes a long time and maybe problematic bearing in mind some areas such as ongoing construction, and washrooms among other areas get a lot of traffic and hence will still remain wet for quite some time.

How to Overcome It:

Improve Ventilation: As you do this, make sure that your house is well-ventilated. To promote fast drying allow fresh air inside by opening windows, using a fan, or switching on the air conditioning. This shall expose the structures to air, and minimize the formation of humidity.
Use a Dehumidifier: In the case when you reside in a rather humid climate, the use of a dehumidifier accelerates the process since it helps to eliminate humidity in a room.
Professional Help: Go for Carpet Cleaning Services that will use powerful types of equipment meant to extract water from the carpets. DIY machines may take a longer time to dry carpets than professionals can.

Risk of Over-Wetting

Overwetting is caused by using excessive water, or not effectively removing water from the material. Water in carpets can ruin the carpet backing promote mold growth or stretch its fibers too tight.

How to Overcome It:

Hire a Professional: This is the reason one should consider hiring a professional carpet cleaner since they understand that over-wetting the carpet can be very dangerous. Experts know how to use the right quantity of water and they work with powerful types of equipment that guarantee extraction without over-wetting the fabric.
Don’t Overdo It: When working with a homemade steam cleaner, do not drip too much water on the surface you’re cleaning, and check often the remaining moisture level. Try using rapid short jets of steam while working on carpets with high piles or those with delicate fabric fibers.
Use High-Quality Equipment: In case you decide on the use of rented equipment ensure that the steam cleaner is commercially rated with a good suction power for removing excess moisture.

Damage to Delicate Carpets

Wool or silk fibers perhaps; are contained in the delicate fabrics of carpet which may shrink, discolor, or get damaged due to the heat and moisture of the cleaning tools used in steam cleaning.

How to Overcome It:

Check Manufacturer’s Recommendations: To ensure the safety of your carpet type, read the manufacturer’s guide to determine whether or not you can steam clean your carpet. Very costly or delicate floor coverings may need to be cleaned in another method that is not wet cleaning or use of water such as dry cleaning or low moisture cleaning.
Use Specialized Methods: It is a safer way to clean delicate carpets or, in case you are not sure about the state of the carpet, use a low moisture cleaning system or look for a company that will clean delicate rugs and carpets.
Test an Area First: For this reason, when using the steam cleaning method, it is always advisable to first test the carpet on a hidden area of the carpet so that if the heat and moisture negatively affect the carpet, then it will not be very noticeable.

Requires Professional Equipment for Best Results

DIY machines may not possess enough juice to ensure added cleansing as a professional machine does, they may leave behind soiling particles or remnants of moisture in the carpets.

How to Overcome It:

Hire a Professional Service: As much as possible it is advisable to hire professional carpet cleaners to keep your carpet in tip-top shape. They can hire large-scale industrial quality carpet cleaning machines with higher cleaning capacity and expelling far greater quantities of moisture in the process, making the carpet dry faster.
Use the Right Tools: However, if you still want to do everything on your own, ensure that you acquire or hire a commercial-quality steam cleaner. They are more powerful and can do the work with ease than the standard rental machines available for use.
Proper Training: If you are using a do-it-yourself cleaning machine, ensure you are well conversant with various operations of the cleaner. Additional learning on how various settings can be changed, control of water flow, and the proper utilization of the extraction will give improved results.

How Often Should Carpets Be Cleaned?

Now that you know the possible downsides of steam cleaning, how often should your carpets really be cleaned? Generally, carpets should be cleaned at least once a year, but if you have kids, pets, or high foot traffic, more frequent cleaning may be necessary.

For homes in Ellerslie, GA, where pollen and dust can be prevalent, or for homes with furry pets in Columbus, GA, a seasonal cleaning schedule is ideal. Regular cleaning not only removes dirt and stains but also helps maintain a healthy indoor environment by eliminating allergens and bacteria that can accumulate in carpet fibers.

Is It Better to Shampoo or Steam Clean Carpets?

When choosing between shampooing and steam cleaning both of them offer some benefits but also have some drawbacks.

Shampooing means applying a liquid cleaning agent and using it by rubbing the fibers of the textile, followed by rinsing the cleaning product from the textile. Ideal for areas that have highly stained carpets but may leave behind some dirt which then attracts even more dirt and the process of drying takes longer.
Steam Cleaning and the amount of chemicals utilized make the former more environmentally friendly. It can work between fibers and clean them even from dirt and bacteria. However, it can result in over-wetting and therefore longer periods of drying time.

Which one is best? However, shampooing may be the only way if you come across very tough stains. When it comes to general cleaning and sterilization, hot water extraction or steam cleaning is more effective and longer lasting.

Professional Carpet Cleaning Services Near Me: Is It Worth It?

By looking at the advantages of using steam cleaning in your carpets, it can be seen that professional cleaning services can greatly impact. It is however important to note that there are professional carpet cleaners nearby and you don’t have to undertake these processes yourself. Whether you’re in Columbus, GA, Ellerslie, GA, or Phenix City, AL, getting your carpets professionally cleaned ensures:

Broad and intensive cleaning that the DIY machines cannot perform
Non-toxic, effective means of cleaning
High durability and ability to protect carpets for a long time

If you would like professional carpet cleaning then feel free to get a hold of Econo Carpet Cleaning LLC to avail a trusted service provider. If you typed in carpet and rug cleaners near me – welcome to Econo Carpet Cleaning LLC, where we’ll take care of your carpets so that you can take care of your health!

Conclusion:

Yes, steam carpet cleaning could be effective, but like many methods, it is not without its downside. Going to a professional store is something else again, there are issues ranging from long drying times to the possibility of over-wetting when using this equipment. Always consider the advantages and disadvantages of steam cleaning if you want to settle for cleaning your carpets.

To get the best results near you and to avoid what is associated with a DIY, seek the services of Econo Carpet Cleaning LLC. Regardless of whether you choose steaming, hot water extraction, or any other service, our trained staff will make sure that your carpets get the attention they need. For your Econo Carpet Cleaning needs do not hesitate to contact us today and set your appointment for cleaner and fresher carpets with ease!