Why Hot Water Extraction beats Carpet Dry Cleaning

Much debate has occurred over the effectiveness of hot water extraction / carpet steam cleaning versus highly advertised, misleading carpet dry cleaning methods.

Never heard of the hot water extraction method of carpet cleaning? That’s not surprising. Companies such as Stanley Steemer have propagated the more popular term of “steam cleaning” to describe this method instead. To be honest, it doesn’t matter what you call it. What you need to know as a customer is that hot water extraction is by far the best carpet cleaning method on the market.

FACT. Leading carpet manufacturers around the world recommend you use a professional hot water extraction / steam cleaning carpet cleaning company to clean your carpets. If carpet dry cleaning was indeed the better option, those manufacturers would say so. They do not benefit from telling you otherwise.

With our 10+ years experience, we understand that carpet cleaning is best done using hot water extraction, also known as steam cleaning carpets. And yes, your carpet will be wet afterwards because it just received a deep, thorough cleaning – which is very different from what you would have received from a carpet dry cleaning company.

We begin by using only the most advanced hot water extraction / steam cleaning system in the industry.

Pressurized, heated water containing a cleaning or rinsing solution is then injected into the fibers of your carpet while being simultaneously extracted with a powerful vacuum.

This method will flush, clean, rinse and extract dirt, allergens, bacteria, viruses, germs etc., leaving your carpet as deep-down clean and hygienic as possible.

Home dry cleaning companies want you to believe that if you have your carpet hot water extracted/steam cleaned, it can shrink, mold or mildew, split at the seams, or otherwise be ruined. This is only true if you choose an inexperienced, ill-equipped, unreputable carpet cleaning company – and there are plenty of those around.

To avoid the aforementioned, be careful to choose a carpet & rug cleaning company whose services are supported by their experience and unwavering reputation in the area.

1. They spray your carpet with a chemical solution and then buff over it with a rotary machine and bonnet, telling you the dirt will transfer to their bonnet – WRONG. Not only is this totally inefficient, but it will also leave quite a bit of residue in your carpet.
2. They sprinkle a damp, powdery substance all over your carpet and then grind the powder into the carpet, hoping your dirt will somehow magically attach itself to their powder. Then, they use a vacuum to supposedly get all of the dirt/powder out – WRONG AGAIN! Not only will this not get the dirt out of your carpets, but you will be left with two abrasives at the base of your carpet. another reason why leading carpet manufacturers recommend hot water extraction / carpet steam cleaning over dry cleaning.

Chemical dry cleaning companies are popping up everywhere. Why? Because it’s an easy business to get into. It takes little financial investment, little training, and no expertise. We have been called in to re-clean carpets that have been exposed to dry cleaning chemicals. However, it’s not just the inefficiencies of the dry cleaning method that make it the worst of two options.

According to a WebMD article, the solvent used by 85% of U.S. dry cleaners known as PERC (perchloroethylene or tetrachloroethylene) has been declared a “likely human carcinogen” by the National Academy of Sciences. The Academy came to this conclusion based on the findings of its expert panel which was charged with reviewing the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) risk analysis of the solvent.

Based on their review, the panel agreed that:

• PERC is a “likely human carcinogen.” This means that while there’s no definitive proof that the chemical causes cancer in humans, there’s strong evidence it does – and there’s proof that the chemical causes various cancers in animals.
• PERC’s most dangerous non-cancer effect is nerve and brain damage. Safe exposure levels for drinking water and air quality should be set well above levels that can cause such damage.
• The EPA’s system for evaluating chemical risk is basically sound, although procedures for evaluating the strength of relevant studies need to be strengthened.

In addition to being utilized by dry cleaning companies, PERC is used as a metal degreaser and in the production of many other chemicals. It is found in the air, in drinking water, and in soil. It can be detected in most people’s blood, as well as in breast milk.

For more information about the harmful effects of PERC or to read more about the National Academy of Sciences’ findings, click here.

If you have any doubts, just look to the carpet industry itself for clues as to which method is the best for your carpets and upholstery. There is a reason that almost every major carpet manufacturer recommends (and more increasingly requires for warranty reasons) that you use hot water extraction to maintain the cleanliness of your home carpeting. And there is also a reason that almost every major carpet cleaning company, from Stanley Steemer on down the line, chooses hot water extraction as their method of choice.

We have been diligently doing carpet cleaning, carpet shampooing, carpet washing and carpet steaming for many clients for more than 15 YEARS in Singapore.

Email us now at sales@a-cubemicrosystems.com and SMS us at 9386 1459 !