How are carpets cleaned professionally?

Author: Constance Gottlieb  |  Last update: Wednesday, December 24, 2025

Hot Water Extraction Injects a cleaning solution deep into your carpet's fibers. Agitates the solution using brushes to loosen dirt and release stains and odors. Rinses the carpet using hot water sprayed from a high-pressure hose attached to a truck outside your home.

How do professionals clean carpet?

The five most common professional carpet cleaning techniques are:
  1. Hot Water Extraction (“Steam Cleaning”)
  2. Absorbent Compound (“Dry Cleaning”)
  3. Bonnet Cleaning.
  4. Carpet Shampooing.
  5. Encapsulation.

What is considered professional carpet cleaning?

Professional carpet cleaners use hot water extraction to thoroughly clean carpets. Not only does professional carpet cleaning remove packed in dirt, debris, and allergens, but it also takes care of hard-to-remove stains.

Is it worth having your carpets professionally cleaned?

Regular carpet cleaning can extend the life of your carpet as well as get rid of tough stains. Most carpet manufacturers recommend having carpet professionally cleaned every 12-18 months, depending on how much foot traffic your home gets.

Is it better to steam clean or wash carpet?

Your carpeting will no doubt be cleaner regardless of the method, but with steam cleaning, you're killing bacteria and germs along with stains. You can't clean stains that are too deep, but you can prevent further dirt from rising to the surface.

Entrepreneurship 101: How to Start a Carpet Cleaning Business

What are the disadvantages of steam cleaning carpets?

8 Reasons Why Steam Cleaning Is Bad For Your Carpet
  • Not Chemical-Free. ...
  • Leaves Your Carpet Soaking Wet. ...
  • Prolonged Drying Times. ...
  • Draws in More Dust and Dirt. ...
  • Creates a Breeding Ground for Mold and Mildew. ...
  • Causes Unnecessary Wear. ...
  • Produces Wastewater. ...
  • Requires Heavy Equipment.

Which carpet cleaning method is best?

There are several methods used for cleaning carpets, with the most popular being hot water extraction cleaning. This is the method we usually recommend here at Cleaner Cleaner, as it gives you (well, your carpets) that real deep clean, getting rid of not just dirt but allergens, dust mites and more.

Do carpets get dirtier after cleaning?

After the cleaning crew leaves, the gunk remaining in your carpeting acts like a magnet for a whole new layer of grime. Thankfully, there are ways to slow this process. Let's look at the starting point. After just one year, even new carpeting can hold as much as one pound of dust, dirt and mold per square inch.

Does professional carpet cleaning remove urine smell?

Hiring a professional carpet cleaning team to remove the smell of dog urine from carpet is the best way to tackle the problem. Professional carpet cleaners will have a range of specialized tools, as well as extensive expertise, to produce the best results.

What should you not clean carpet with?

Abrasive cleaners can damage the carpet fibers and leave a bare spot where the stain used to be. The same goes for heavy-duty scrubbing brushes. If you must scrub your carpet, use a mild cleaner and a soft bristle brush to prevent damage.

How often should carpet be cleaned?

Carpet manufacturers typically recommend a weekly surface clean and a deep clean at least once every 12 to 18 months. Hubert Miles, Certified Master Inspector and owner of Patriot Home Inspections in South Carolina, shares why.

How do you tell if a carpet has been professionally cleaned?

We will get straight to the point and tell you that the only way to know that your carpet is clean is to check its fibers and smell it. The fibers should feel soft and smell fresh. A clean carpet will also not have any signs of stains, mud, or contaminants.

Can you walk on carpet after professional cleaning?

It is recommended that you try to stay off the freshly cleaned carpets until they are dry – about 6 hours. If you MUST walk over your damp carpet before it is dry use EXTREME caution. Where you transition from carpet to another hard surface, like tile or hardwood, can be very slippery.

Do you have to move furniture for carpet cleaning?

Should You Move Your Furniture for Carpet Cleaning? In general, moving furniture is beneficial for a more comprehensive carpet cleaning. However, it's not always necessary, especially for large, heavy items or in areas with minimal traffic.

How long does professional carpet cleaning take?

How Long Does Carpet Cleaning Take? Although there is no definite answer, we estimate that professional carpet cleaning takes around 30 minutes for a room. Just keep in mind that it may take longer than this if your floors are stained or there is furniture you would like to be moved.

How often should carpet be replaced?

The average lifespan of carpeting, depending on its quality, amount of traffic, pets, and number of children, among other factors, is about 5 to 15 years. Wear, increased allergy symptoms, dormant stains, discoloration, and odors are signs that you need to replace your carpet.

Why does my carpet still smell like pee after cleaning?

Dried urine crystallises, which then sticks to carpet and is very difficult to remove. These crystals smell when they're wet, so humid days and steam cleaning can make the smell return.

Does professional carpet cleaning get rid of smells?

If you've tried all of the carpet cleaning products and still had no luck, it might be time to call in the professionals. Ultimately, if you've got a really stubborn smell that won't lift, a professional cleaning company is much more likely to have success as they have access to a wider range of tools and products.

What kills the smell of urine in carpet?

Then, you'll need to wash the spot thoroughly and use baking soda or a mixture of white vinegar and water to neutralise the urine smell. You can use an enzyme cleaner, hydrogen peroxide, or a pet odour neutralizer for tougher stains.

Is it safe to sleep in a room after carpet cleaning?

In conclusion, sleeping in a room after carpet cleaning can be safe if certain precautions are taken. The type of cleaning method, adequate drying time, and proper ventilation are key factors that determine the safety of the indoor environment and an effective method.

What are the disadvantages of carpet cleaning?

Homeowners should be cautious about the cleaning products used by carpet cleaning companies, opting for environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic options when possible.
  • Mold and Mildew Growth. ...
  • Wear and Tear on Carpet Fibers. ...
  • Disruption and Downtime. ...
  • Cost Considerations.

Why is my carpet yellow after cleaning?

If not properly rinsed out, alkaline cleaning products cause carpets to turn yellow. Thoroughly rinsing the carpet using an acid rinse removes the chemical residue and stabilizes and neutralizes the carpet dye. Hence, it restores the original color of your carpet.

Is it better to shampoo or steam clean carpets?

Although we offer both approaches, in our opinion, steam cleaning tends to be the better option in most situations. Here's why: It can usually remove ingrained dirt more effectively – particularly stubborn stains that have embedded themselves deep into the fibres.

What is the most hygienic carpet?

Polypropylene Carpet

Polypropylene carpets are extremely popular in commercial settings and are extremely versatile in their use. They resist wear extremely well in high traffic areas, don't hold onto moisture, thus preventing mold and mildew and are extremely easy to clean and keep them looking their best.

Is professional carpet cleaning better than DIY?

What are the main advantages of professional carpet cleaning over DIY methods? Professional carpet cleaning offers superior results with powerful equipment and specialized solutions, removing deep-seated dirt and allergens more effectively than DIY methods.

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