The Difference Between Steam Cleaning And Dry Cleaning

Carpet and upholstery cleaning play a crucial role in keeping our homes clean and healthy. However, there has always been a debate on which cleaning method is better for carpets and upholstery – steam cleaning or dry cleaning. The answer depends on your particular situation – the type of dirt you want to remove, the fibers in your carpets or upholstery, and whether you want to use harsh chemicals for carpet cleaning or not.

Understanding the difference between these methods is essential for selecting the most suitable one for your carpets and furniture. As an upholstery and carpet cleaning company, PristineGreen Upholstery and Carpet Cleaning successfully use both methods to ensure a clean environment in our clients’ homes. Let’s find out more about each cleaning method and when you should use each.

Confusing Names

Let's first be clear. Steam cleaning in the context of carpet cleaning does not mean cleaning with heated water vapor, as is traditionally understood in general household cleaning. “Steam cleaning” in the context of carpet cleaning means hot water extraction. Hot water extraction uses a machine called an “extractor” which shoots hot water into a fabric at high pressure then removes the water from the fabric using a wet-vacuum. Carpet cleaners have these machines. In the carpet cleaning industry hot-water extraction is synonymous with the term “steam cleaning," so don't get confused!

What Is Steam Cleaning for Carpet Cleaners?

Steam cleaning is hot water extraction to effectively remove stains, bacteria, and odors from carpets and upholstery. The process involves a machine known as an “extractor” which sprays water and soap onto the surface of the rug and then extracts it using a wet vacuum. This method proves effective against a broad spectrum of issues, encompassing both carpet and furniture steam cleaning. It efficiently addresses dirt accumulation from general wear and tear, as well as tackling challenges such as grease, paint, oil, food, and pet stains when coupled with a stain-removal process.

When To Use Steam Cleaning

Steam cleaning, also known as hot-water extraction, is used to clean fabric that can get wet. Steam cleaning is a wet process, meaning it uses water to lift the dirt (with the addition of water-based soaps and stain removers). Therefore, it can only be used on fabrics that can get wet. Fabrics that are not tolerant to being wetted cannot be steam cleaned. One of the most common fibers that cannot be steam cleaned is viscose, an increasingly common fabric in both couches and rugs.

In the context of cleaning specifically carpets or rugs, steam cleaning only cleans the fibers of rugs, not the backing. Therefore, if you are looking for a very deep clean that addresses both the fibers and the backing of the rug, you need a takeaway service where the rug is picked up, cleaned in a facility where the rug is soaked in a special cleaning pool. It is then cleaned and delivered back to your home. Steam cleaning, or hot water extraction, is mostly done in your home.

Lastly, steam cleaning can be preferred by those who are interested in green cleaning. The steam cleaning process can be used with non-toxic products which is beneficial for individuals with children, pets, or those who are health conscious and environmentally friendly.  It is also suitable for individuals prone to allergies or asthma. The products we use at PristineGreen are all EPA-certified as part of their "Safer Choice"," program and are as effective as conventional chemicals.

What Is Dry Cleaning?

There are two common methods of drying cleaning in the carpet and upholstery cleaning industry. One instance of dry cleaning refers to a process that uses solvents for cleaning instead of water-based products. Solvents are petroleum-based and do not consist of water. For example, when you take your clothes to the dry cleaner, they are cleaned with solvents. Solvents do not damage very delicate fibers. This situation is similar to carpet and upholstery cleaning, with a twist. Dry cleaning in our profession can be used for upholstery, like couch cleaning, but also for carpets and rugs. 

However, the use of solvents only truly applies to spot-cleaning treatments.  This means you cannot use solvents to clean an entire piece of furniture or a carpet. The reason is that solvents evaporate very quickly into the atmosphere.  If we were to apply them to a textile, they would evaporate quickly before we could use them effectively. For spot-cleaning purposes, they are mixed into a gel, allowing us to use them for a specific period.  Additionally, they have a strong odor and are considered toxic.

The other instance of dry cleaning refers to using a dry compound that is brushed into the textile, absorbing some amount of dirt and oils. It’s not a particularly effective solution, but it can be used in situations where other methods cannot, for a variety of reasons. The dry compound can capture embedded dirt and debris and even pick up some oils. The upside is that it is environmentally friendly and odorless.  However, it is difficult to use on furniture and is mostly applied to carpets.

When To Use Dry Cleaning

There are several reasons why one would opt for dry cleaning. The first point is that the fabric cannot tolerate water, and a dry cleaning method must be used. The customer doesn't have much of a choice here –  it’s either dry cleaning or no cleaning!

The second point is that professional dry cleaning can be employed in certain, primarily commercial, locations where a wet carpet may pose a hazard. Moreover, for business reasons, they may be unable to shut down a section of the office for cleaning.  In such instances, dry cleaning, using a  dry compound, is a viable option. It proves to be somewhat effective and can yield satisfactory results when all factors are taken into consideration.

Can you bring a rug to a Dry Cleaner?

For those individuals who desire a deep clean for their carpets that cannot tolerate water, such as a viscose carpet, what should they do? Can you take a carpet to a dry cleaner? Well, the answer to that is…no. Dry cleaners use a solvent washing machine to clean clothing. It’s similar to the washing machines you see in a laundromat but specifically designed to be used only with petroleum-based solvents. They won't be able to fit your carpet in there!

The only option with a viscose rug is to hire a specialized rug cleaner who knows how to wet clean this rug but prevent it from drying improperly, which causes permanent damage. It is a very delicate process and most cannot do it. Fortunately, we at PristineGreen have this capability.  Fill out a contact form to get in touch about your cleaning needs.

One might expect oriental rug owners to encounter this problem frequently.  However, this issue actually arises from modern rugs which use highly processed fibers. Oriental rugs are often crafted from wool, which can easily be wet cleaned.  It is only modern rugs, made from cellulose-based fibers such as viscose, bamboo silk, rayon, and others, that cannot be cleaned easily. It is advisable to steer clear of these fabrics,  considering they are also expensive. 

What Cleaning Technique Is Better?

Each cleaning technique has its advantages and disadvantages – and you should carefully weigh the pros and cons before choosing one. It really comes down to what you need to have done. If the fabric can tolerate water, most homeowners and commercial managers choose steam cleaning.  For those individuals who prefer a green option, green and certified products can be used in the steam cleaning process. In this way, professional steam cleaning is the best option for these types of fabrics.

For delicate fibers that cannot get wet, dry cleaning is your only choice. Whether to send the rug to a facility or only have a carpet cleaner spot clean it is your choice. Solvent cleaning can become smelly, so keep that in mind when ordering this service. Make sure the space is well-ventilated so that any off-gassing from the chemicals can easily leave your home or office space unless you choose to use a dry compound, but the results are not great.

Tips to Get the Most of Your Carpet Clean

Whether you choose to dry cleaning or steam clean your carpet, you can get great results by following a few easy carpet care tips. Specifically, you should:

• Regularly vacuum your carpet to keep dirt and other debris from accumulating.
• To reduce the risk of discoloration, spot clean spills at the time they occur, and stop oily substances from collecting dirt.
• Use floor mats or take your shoes off indoors to reduce the amount of dirt entering your home.

When combined with professional carpet cleaning every year, these easy-to-follow steps will keep your carpet looking and smelling great, regardless of where you stand on the dry cleaning vs. steam cleaning.

All things considered, steam cleaning is far superior to solvent cleaning in both cost and its ability to lift dirt. If your fabric can tolerate water, steam cleaning is always the best choice. Whether you are seeking couch steam cleaning or carpet steam cleaning, wet cleaning methods are the most effective at removing embedded dirt and oils.

Call us today for professional cleaning services!