What Is Hot Water Extraction Carpet Cleaning?
The hot water extraction method is primarily used for carpet cleaning, although it’s becoming a regular occurrence in upholstery cleaning, too. Its popularity is growing for several reasons. Not only does the hot water extraction method deeply clean and sanitise your carpets and upholstery but they’re also left smelling and looking like new.
In addition to all this, bacteria are killed off and your home environment ends up being a whole lot healthier. With this in mind, you may be wondering what the hot water extraction method for carpet cleaning actually entails and how it differs from steam cleaning. In this article, we take a closer look at both cleaning processes and help you choose the best one for your home’s carpets.
What exactly is the process of hot water extraction carpet cleaning?
Right off the bat, we’d like to mention that although they may look similar, the process of hot water extraction carpet cleaning differs from steam cleaning. Steam cleaning is all about the release of hot steam to loosen up stains on carpets.
However, while the hot water extraction method does emit some steam during the process, it is not the steam that does the actual cleaning but rather the hot water, detergents and the specialised equipment put together.
In a nutshell, the hot water extraction method looks something like this:
– Water and detergent are mixed in the machine’s water compartment. Detergents are generally eco- as well as child-friendly.– The newly created water and detergent solution is then injected directly onto the carpet. This can include either specific spot treatment or be applied to the entire carpet or rug.
– When injected into the carpet fibres, the solution begins to work its magic and starts to dislodge the dirt particles from the carpet. This makes them much easier to clean.
– It’s also possible to apply a chemical solution to degrease deeper and more stubborn stains. This will, however, depend on your carpet type and the fabric it is made of.
– The final step is to again use the machine on your carpet but this time, instead of injecting a water and detergent solution, they would extract the majority of the water and dirt from your carpet using high-powered suction tools. In fact, up to 95% of the water is sucked up, leaving your carpets smelling and looking fresh and new.
The perks of the hot water extraction method
The hot water extraction method is suitable for practically any carpet and rug, and it’s especially great to use if you are suffering from asthma or allergies. The reason for this is that it primarily uses water, which is not an allergen. It’s also great if you have pets and/or children because the detergents used are eco-friendly and great for the environment.
Of course, there are other benefits as well. One of the most obvious ones is that your carpet or rug will be stain-free and it’s going to leave your entire home smelling great and refreshed. There’s also no chemical residue left behind following a treatment and this means fewer chances of allergies or harm being caused.
Is hot water extraction the same as steam cleaning?
A frequently asked question is whether the hot water extraction method is the same as steam cleaning. In short, the answer is “no”. Let’s explore what the difference is between hot water extraction vs steam cleaning.
For starters, the steam cleaning method also uses hot temperatures and water. But the equipment or machine that’s used to perform the cleaning enables the cleaner to emit steam which is then applied on a stain. This makes the steam cleaning method quite effective for removing stubborn stains. While the hot water extraction method also emits steam, this is not the primary method of getting rid of stains.
Secondly, steam cleaning is not able to remove odours which are deeply lodged inside your carpets or rugs. It also doesn’t combine water with chemicals or detergents. As such, your carpets may have their stains removed, but odours are likely to remain (as are bacteria, which remain lodged deep inside the carpet fibres).
What is the best professional carpet cleaning method?
In our experience, professional hot water extraction carpet cleaning is the best choice for getting rid of stains on your carpets and ensuring a fresh and clean smelling home environment. When your carpets are clean, everything else in your home looks clean as well.
You may opt to try do-it-yourself (DIY) cleaning by renting or buying your own hot water extraction machine. But there are certain things you need to be aware of. Firstly, the chances of you as opposed to a professional cleaner being able to apply sufficient pressure to the carpet is quite slim. This can leave your carpets with stains and even worse, lots of absorbed water.
In turn, this can cause your carpets to start smelling bad, as well as encourage the formation of mould. You’re also more unlikely to be able to dislodge bacteria effectively by attempting to do this on your own. In addition to all this, rented hot water extraction machines generally have a much weaker drying power than our professional cleaning equipment.
We recommend: hiring a professional carpet cleaning specialist instead of renting a hot water extraction machine
Using the services of a trusted professional carpet cleaning company in Harrow, London and the surrounding areas instead of renting a hot water extraction machine and cleaning by yourself is highly recommended. You’re much more likely to enjoy better results with our hot water extraction cleaning as opposed to doing it yourself. Ready to get in touch with us to help us freshen up your home professionally? We’re just a call or a click away and ready to help!