Anyone with carpeting in their home knows that it definitely needs to be cleaned at least a couple of times a year, depending on the traffic that is on the carpet and whether pets are in the home. What’s the difference between wet and dry cleaning carpet, and which one is better?
Advantages of dry cleaning carpet.
Dry cleaning carpet has many advantages over wet carpet cleaning systems. The dry method uses organic carpet cleaning that is sprinkled onto the carpet and is brushed through the fibers with a machine or brush. It is almost dry, but it does have a little bit of moisture that dries within minutes. The sponge-like cleaning material is then vacuumed up to finish the cleaning process. The dry cleaner does not use harsh chemicals like wet cleaning does, so it is believed by many to be a healthier option for keeping carpets clean. Another important advantage is that the dry cleaner does not leave any soapy residue on the fibers because soap is not used.
Advocates of dry cleaning carpet say that the soapy residue left by wet methods actually attracts more dirt to the fibers, and this is why carpet gets dirty so quickly after being cleaned this way.
Additional advantages to the dry method.
The dry method of carpet cleaning does not remove the stain resistant finish on the carpet like wet methods do. Carpet is not meant to have the extreme temperatures of steam cleaning that can reach up to 200 degrees. Hot water and steam are needed to clean with the wet method, but they also ruin the pile of the carpet and cause it to become flat and old looking very quickly. When water and steam are not used, there is no possibility of the carpet padding getting wet, and this eliminates the possibility of mold growing underneath the carpet. With all of the advantages of dry cleaning, this method is by far the better of the two ways to clean.