Having said all that, carpets are one of the most important and expensive furnishings in your home, yet one of the most neglected area in your home. Forking a small fortune to have a nice carpet installed in your home and failing to take proper care is at least irresponsible. It's a substantial financial investment in your home value and your comfort. Why risk losing money when you can simply invest in a professional carpet cleaning service once a year?
Before you take the final decision to call a local carpet cleaner, it's a good idea to learn more about your carpet fibres and which carpet cleaning method is the most suitable. You can easily find detailed information on the Internet or consult a cleaning contractor. Most provide free estimates that will provide you with an exact price for your cleaning requirements. However, be cautious for less than reputable cleaners that use bait-and-switch tactics.
The three most popular methods today are:
- Hot Water Extraction - Also known as steam carpet cleaning is the favourite method to professional carpet cleaners these days. It's simple, yet the most effective today. It uses the power of hot water under pressure and eco-friendly cleaning solutions to extract dirt and eliminate bacteria. Once treated your carpets will be allergen and pollutant free for a long time to come.
- Dry Cleaning - It's the second most used carpet cleaning method today. Unlike steam cleaning, dry carpet cleaning uses little to no water to clean. In this method the carpet technician sprinkles chemical compound onto the carpet surface where it binds with soil and dirt. Then the whole lot is extracted via vacuuming.
- Shampooing - It used to be the preferred choice among professional cleaners but lost ground to more advanced, effective and less harmful techniques. Here the shampoo is scrubbed into the carpet pile where it dissolves dirt and grime alike. Then using wet vacuum cleaner, fluid and dirt alike is extracted.