Important Facts about Dry Carpet Cleaning

Sometimes people wonder if, when, where to use dry carpet cleaning. They are apprehensive about the effectiveness and safety of dry cleaning. This article will discuss on issues relating to effectiveness, proper usage and safety of dry carpet cleaning. I hope it will help you make up your mind about dry cleaning.

Dry carpet cleaning Method

By its name, this stands for a method of cleaning that doesn’t require water. The main ingredient consists of a dry carpet cleaning compound containing moisture, absorbent, detergent and solvent. The cleaning powder is sprinkled on the carpet, and then the moisture dissolves the soil which then mixes with the solvent and detergent. The mixture is attracted and absorbed by the absorbent which is then vacuumed.

There are other cleaning methods sometimes referred to as dry cleaning. But in strict sense they can’t really be called dry cleaning since water is used. Dry carpet cleaning can be used on all carpet fiber depending on the chemical content of the absorbent cleaner (find out from a local carpet cleaning professional which will be okay for your carpet). It is mostly recommended for silk, wool and color-bleeding carpets.

Do It Yourself

The carpet should be vacuumed first. The cleaning mixture is poured on the carpet. Then worked into the carpet with a brush or vibrating machine (which you can rent). It is left to stay for sometime depending on how dirty the carpet is. The moisturized cleaner mixes with the dirt and soil and then vacuumed with a vacuum cleaner.

In case of stains, you should use stain treatment first. Be sure to verify that the cleaning mixture will be right for your carpet before using it. You can test it on a scrap carpet or a small area of the carpet that won’t be noticed.

Should I Use This Method On My Carpet?

The main case against dry carpet cleaning is on its inability to do a satisfactory cleaning. No matter how much you vacuum the carpet, there is always residual reminants in the carpet. This process can be likened to pouring cleaning powder on your hair then using hair brush or towel to rub it into the hair then vacuum off. How really clean is your hair?

There is also the problem of re-soiling due to soap and detergent residue. It can really be cumbersome getting loads of cleaning powder for a whole carpet cleaning.

I don’t know about you, but I am uncomfortable with the possibility of children and pets getting to this residue no matter how safe the manufacturers claim the compound is.

I still think there are places and situations dry carpet cleaning method can be used. As I said earlier, it can be recommended for silk and wool carpets where constant use of steam cleaning can damage and over stretch the carpet.Then use other cleaning options when it is real dirty.

It is also recommended for carpets that run color. Dry carpet cleaning can serve as a "quick fix" for highly trafficked areas of the carpet before any major cleaning can be done.