What is hot water extraction carpet cleaning?
If you have ever taken an interest in professional carpet cleaning services, you have inevitably stumbled upon the offer for hot water extraction. This is a carpet cleaning method, which guarantees a 100% clean carpet or upholstery. If you are not sure what hot water extraction is, the following guide will educate you so that you can make the best choice for cleaning your carpets.
Basics of hot water extraction
Carpet cleaning with the hot water extraction method is a process of using a special machine that injects steam under pressure within the carpet's fibers and then follows up with a mix of hot water and specialized detergent. It's a more involved process than mere steam cleaning, as it adds the extra step of injecting hot water and cleaning solution into the carpet, instead of just steam under pressure.
This kind of service is one that Crystal Carpet Cleaners in London has perfected over the years. They have both the knowledge and tools to execute perfect cleaning sessions utilizing the power of hot water extraction.
Diving deeper into hot water extraction
The simple explanation of hot water extraction makes it sound too similar to steam cleaning. Because it does feature steam cleaning there is some overlap, but they are not the same thing. Steam cleaning is not a recent thing. It has been the preferred method for cleaning carpets, upholstery, curtains and clothes for many years. It's popular because it is effective at dislodging ingrained dirt and dissolving stains. Many people prefer steam cleaning due to its effectiveness not just in removing impurities but also because it sanitizes the areas and removes allergens.
Hot water extraction takes all of these aspects of steam cleaning and then builds upon them to provide an even better cleaning service. It involves all of the steps of steam cleaning and then adds up even more to provide a thorough cleaning that is hard to match otherwise.
You can think of hot water extraction as a tidal wave washing over the impurities within the fabric surface. Hot water mixed with strong cleaning detergents is injected under pressure within the fabric. This forces out even deeply ingrained dirt and solid particles, which a vacuum cleaner is powerless against. The water is then extracted from the carpet, along with all of the allergens and impurities that loosened during the previous step.
For all of the dirt ingrained deep within the fabric, the hot temperature and the power of the cleaning detergents work in combination to break down the particles and make them easier to remove.
The required equipment for this kind of cleaning is usually professional-level and one that you wouldn't normally have at home. That's why it is mostly provided by cleaning companies that offer a hot water extraction service you can book.
How different are steam cleaning and hot water extraction?
As mentioned above, hot water extraction is not the same as steam cleaning. Many people think of them in similar terms, because both cleaning methods feature hot steam emitted under high pressure.
Steam cleaning is all about steam dislodging dirt and other particles in the fabrics. It features no cleaning products and relies solely on water vapor to deal with the cleaning process. Hot water extraction takes the process one step further by injecting the fabric with a specially formulated cleaning solution along with hot water. As such, it not only breaks down the impurities but also deals with stains and deodorises the area. The liquid is then extracted with a powerful vacuum, lifting off the allergens and solid particles from deep within the carpet.
Common misconceptions about steam cleaning and hot water extraction
Apart from the fact people think both methods are the same, there are a few more misconceptions to dispel:
Hot water extraction is not eco-friendly
Many people are thrown off by the fact that hot water extraction utilizes various cleaning products instead of just hot steam. In reality, these cleaning products can be eco-friendly and that is what cleaning companies strive to offer. Nobody likes injecting harsh chemicals into their carpet or sofa, which is why more harmless alternatives are employed.
Steam cleaning is better for stains
Steam does have the potential to deal with stains, as it melts away their substance. But hot water extraction is also a great way to address stains. This is usually done with spot treatment of the stain before the actual cleaning process. That way even stubborn stains don't stand a chance.
Every carpet can be steam-cleaned
This is not true and you'd best be careful before you employ this kind of treatment to your carpet. Check the manufacturer's care instructions. Some carpets are made of delicate fibres, which do not tolerate steam and over-saturation with water. You should resort to dry carpet cleaning in these cases and avoid steaming.
Which carpet cleaning method is best?
Both cleaning methods have their strengths and weaknesses. The most important thing to remember is the care instructions for the kind of surface you want to clean for the best results. You can also consult with experts on what the best way to clean your carpet is.
At any rate, professional carpet cleaning is likely to yield better outcomes than any DIY method you can employ. Professionals have the tools and knowledge on how to utilize the best cleaning technology. That's a recipe for getting the best cleaning outcome in just a single visit from the experts.
Hot water extraction is a great way to refresh and clean your carpets, upholstered furniture and more. Consult with professionals on how to best take advantage of this kind of cleaning and reap all of its benefits.