STEAM CLEANING and CHEM-DRY METHODS
There are a few different methods of carpet cleaning. The two most widely used methods are steam cleaning and the Chem-Dry method. Steam cleaning uses a cleaning solution/detergent and sprays it into the carpet. Gallons of hot water will be used. The hot water will then be extracted. If the equipment is modern and high powered, it should leave any water behind. If the equipment is not modern and high powered, there is a good chance that all the water will not be extracted. This situation can actually leave carpets in worse condition than they were originally. It could lead to mold. Regardless of the equipment used, carpets cleaned using steam cleaning, will leave the carpets damp for a day or two. During this time, as the carpets dry, the dirty water at the base of the carpet that wasn't fully extracted will wick back up to the top of the carpet, leaving the carpet looking dirty as it settles into the fibers.
Chem-Dry is different than steam cleaning primarily because much less water is needed. Chem-Dry carpet cleaners use a fraction of the amount that steam cleaners use. They use a carbonating principle that is similar to how club soda is used to remove stains. It is an effervescent hot carbonated cleaning process. Their patented cleaning solutions do a good job, and with less water. Carpets are often dry in about 2 hours. You won't have a problem with dirty water wicking back up the carpet fibers.
Do the research and ask questions. If you call to ask for estimates, make sure you also ask which type of method they use. Lowest prices are not usually the best value.
