Top 5 Carpet Cleaning Methods: Which One Is Right for Your Home?

Carpets add warmth and comfort to any home. To maintain consistent carpet performance, you must regularly clean them. There are different types of carpet cleaning methods available. But, you may need a particular one based on your carpet’s cleaning requirements.

You can choose from the top 5 carpet cleaning methods that you require.

1. Hot water extraction
2. Dry carpet cleaning
3. Bonnet cleaning
4. Encapsulation cleaning and
5. Carpet shampooing.

In this guide, we will discuss these top 5 carpet cleaning methods with their best-use scenario. You can decide on which cleaning method you need for your carpet.

Top 5 Carpet Cleaning Methods for Your Home Carpet

You may need a deep clean of your carpet. Or you may not need a deep clean every time. So, the cleaning method you require depends on the level of cleaning you need for your carpet.

Here, we have discussed the top 5 carpet cleaning methods for different carpet cleaning North Brisbane needs.

1. Hot Water Extraction (Steam Cleaning)

Hot water extraction is also known as steam cleaning. This method cleans the carpet fibre from deep using high-pressure hot water injected into the carpet fibre.

The Process

• You need to mix carpet cleaning detergent with hot water. Carpet cleaning detergent comprises alkaline salt, non-ionic surfactants, perfume, dye, and water. The concentration of the chemicals in the detergent is less than 10%.
• Then, penetrate the solution into the carpet fibre with a high-pressure hot water injection machine. This high-pressure penetration loosens dirt and debris.
• After that, pull the dirt water with a powerful extraction machine.

Advantages of This Method

This method offers a thorough, deep cleaning of your carpet. It cleans your carpet by removing tough stains and allergens like dust mites. This method is especially useful for allergy-friendly cleaning. After all, it ensures good indoor air quality.

Best Use Case of Hot Water Extraction Method

• Homes with pets, kids, elderly, and high-traffic where dirt builds up quickly.
• Homes require deep cleaning carpets with regular, easy carpet maintenance.

However, this method requires 4 to 8 hours to dry the carpet. But a truck-mounted steam cleaner can reduce the drying time significantly.

2. Dry Carpet Cleaning

Homes that need quick carpet cleaning can use the dry carpet cleaning method. For example, you may need to clean your carpet fast before a party or fast clean for gusts. In this case, dry cleaning is an excellent way of relief.

This method doesn’t require water.

The Cleaning Process

• You have to spray a cleaning compound or powder over the carpet. The most common compound used for dry cleaning is Perchloroethylene (PCE). The chemical is imported into Australia, and 80% of the volume is used in dry cleaning.

You also can use other compounds like vinyl chloride, chloroethane, 1,1-dichloroethene, etc.

• You need to use a machine equipped with rotating brushes to agitate the compound into the carpet. This rotation absorbs the dirt.
• After rotation, you need to vacuum the carpet.

Advantages of the Method

• Since no water is required, it offers quick drying.
• It is safe for delicate carpet fabrics like wool, jute, silk, sisal, etc.

Best Use Case of Dry Carpet Cleaning Method

• Homes with busy household works
• Carpets of delicate materials.

3. Bonnet Cleaning

Bonnet carpet cleaning is often used for regular maintenance in high-traffic commercial areas. However, this is also a suitable carpet cleaning option in high-traffic home areas requiring frequent maintenance.

The Process of Bonnet Cleaning

In bonnet cleaning, a rotary machine and a bonnet/pad are used to remove light dirt and stains.

• Vacuum the carpet surface before bonneting.
• Now, spray the regular carpet cleaning detergent solution on the carpet.
• Rotate the bonnet over the carpet surface.
• You should flip/wash/replace the bonnet after a phase of rotation.

Advantages of Bonnet Carpet Cleaning

It offers fast and effective light dirt and carpet stain removal. As a low-moisture cleaning, it helps carpets to dry quickly.

Best Use Case of Bonnet Cleaning

• High-traffic area with frequent maintenance.
• Where deeper cleaning isn’t immediately required.

4. Encapsulation Cleaning

Encapsulation carpet cleaning is a very low moisture (VLM) cleaning method. Crystalline polymer is used in this method. When applied, the polymer makes the stains and dirt crystal. This makes the dirt particles easy to remove by vacuuming.

Many people think encapsulation and bonnet cleaning are the same. But they are not. Rather, encapsulation cleaning cleans more than 50% of the soil from carpets. A bonnet is a light cleaning method, cleaning less than 5% of soil.

The Cleaning Process

• Spray carpet cleaning crystal polymer on the carpet.
• Let it be seated. The polymer solution will surround the dirt, soil, and debris and turn them into crystals.
• Now, simply vacuum the encapsulated dirt and soil and remove them from the carpet.

Advantages of Encapsulation Cleaning

• This is an eco-friendly carpet cleaning method.
• This cleaning leaves no sticky residue after encapsulating and crystallising the dirt and soil.

The Best Use Case of the Cleaning Method

• Homes looking for environmentally conscious cleaning solutions.
• If you are looking for regular carpet maintenance and a kind of deep cleaning without wetting the carpet.

5. Carpet Shampooing

Carpet shampooing is a deep carpet cleaning method. In this method, you need to apply foamy carpet detergent. The detergent generally has 10 to 30% ethylene glycol monobutyl ether. The solution is then scrubbed on the carpet with a rotating brush.

The Cleaning Process

• Apply the carpet shampoo on the carpet.
• Scrub the carpet with a rotating brush for carpet cleaning.
• After scrubbing, vacuum the carpet to remove the shampoo foam as well the dirt and heavy soil from the carpet.

Advantages and Best Use Case of the Method

• This method is excellent for cleaning older, heavily soiled carpets and removing stubborn stains.

However, it requires a long drying time. If not correctly done, the carpet may have residues. A professional cleaning service is recommended for carpet shampooing.

Final Thoughts

Cleaning your carpet is vital to keeping your home environment and air quality fresh. So, choosing the right cleaning method is essential for the proper cleaning solutions. If you are not confident enough to clean your home carpet yourself, you should hire a professional carpet cleaning service.

Eco Cleaning Brisbane offers professional carpet cleaning services in Brisbane with over 20 years of experience. Their skilled team ensures your carpets remain clean, fresh, and well-maintained, promoting a healthier living space.