The best method for cleaning your carpet depends on a number of factors. What the carpet’s made of – wool, wool-blend, nylon – if it’s already been treated with stain resistant chemicals, where it is placed, the traffic it endures, how long it will take to dry and whether anyone in the family has allergies to certain chemicals.

Hot water extraction, or steam cleaning

In this method of carpet or rug cleaning, a water-based cleaning solution is sprayed on the carpet using a high-pressure jet spray. A vacuum cleaner that operates ‘wet’, and can be portable or mounted in a van, draws up the solution and the dirt with it. Steam cleaning is the most common method used by carpet cleaning and upholstery cleaning professionals. The best steam cleaning methods involve a number of stages, including a thorough pre-vacuum to remove the dry soils from the carpet before they are wet and turn to mud, treating spots and stains, pre-spraying with a cleaning solution and working the cleaning solution into the pile.

Dry cleaning your carpet

This method of cleaning uses chemicals and heat in the cleaning process to break down greasy build up in the carpet fibre. Usually this oily substrata is what prevents your regular vacuum from removing all the dirt. Absorbent pads rotate at high speed under a rotary machine picking up dirt and oils. This segment of the carpet cleaning industry is dominated by franchise companies that capitalise on the performance of the cleaning chemicals of that particular franchise organisation. A dry clean will include a thorough pre-clean vacuum, spot and stain treatment, treatment of carpet with the appropriate solvent based cleaning solution and the dry cleaning process.

Foam cleaning and powder cleaning

The detergent used in this method is a foam. The machine generates the foam and uses brushes to agitate the foam on the carpet. A vacuum cleaner is used to pick up the foam and the trapped soil. Another method, absorbent compound cleaning, is where an absorbent cleaning agent (a powder) is sprinkled on the carpet and worked into the pile by a machine. After half an hour it is vacuumed off, removing the soil suspended by the powder. These methods may be less effective than steam or dry cleaning because there is less emphasis on heat being used to draw out the dirt and oils from the carpet pile.

How to extend the life of a carpet

• Vacuum your carpet regularly
• Use door mats: they are a lot cheaper and easier to replace than carpets
• When stained, consult the manufacturers guide for the right cleaning method for your carpet
• Ask family and guests to remove their shoes at the door – especially the kids!

Choosing a good carpet cleaner

• Make sure your cleaner is a member of a professional group or has Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration certification.
• Low price can mean that a cleaner does not have up to date equipment – always compare pricing and equipment options.
• Invite the contractor to your home and ask for a specific, written quotation so you will know exactly what they plan to do.
• Ask if they offer a money-back guarantee, and make sure the carpet cleaner includes a guarantee on the written quote.

The choice of a proper carpet cleaning system is extremely important. Some cheaper systems leave residual material which encourages rapid re-soiling and defeats the purpose of cleaning in the first place. Some methods actually damage the carpet fibres and shorten the life of the carpet, especially harsh cleansers that should not be used with wool. Check with your carpet manufacturer for recommendations and consult a professional carpet cleaner.