What Is the Best Carpet Cleaning Method?

Nothing feels quite as good underfoot as a clean rug or carpet. But sometimes your carpeting needs more than weekly vacuuming to keep that deep-down clean feeling. There are several carpet cleaning methods available, but they aren’t all created equal. We rounded up some of the best techniques for carpet cleaning and found out which is best for your unique floors—some that you can easily DIY and others that may be best left to a pro.

1. The Dry Cleaning Method

The drying cleaning method uses encapsulation to clean carpets—well, the top third of carpets, anyway. This method doesn’t fully “clean” your carpet, but the detergent often includes lightening agents and fragrance, giving the carpet a refreshed look and smell.

Who this method is best for: This one is best if you don’t want to wait long for your carpets to dry because it uses powder cleaners rather than liquid. It’s also best for carpets that just need freshening up.

How to: 

1. Pre-vacuum the carpet.

2. Sprinkle the carpet cleaning powder liberally.

3. Optional: Brush powder into the carpet if recommended in the manufacturer’s instructions. 

4. Vacuum the powder up very thoroughly.

2. The Foam Cleaning Method

This one is another encapsulation method just like the dry cleaning method, but here you’ll use foam instead of powder.

Both dry and foam cleaning methods will leave them looking a bit cleaner and smelling just fine, but they won’t tackle bad stains like a deep cleaner.

Who this method is best for: Both the dry cleaning and foam cleaning methods are popular because they don’t require drying time. Which you choose just falls to your preference, especially if your carpet just needs a quick refresh. Both methods cost between $80 and $400.

How to: 

1. Pre-vacuum your carpet to prepare it. 

2. Test the foam cleaner by spraying an out-of-the-way corner and letting it fully dry to make sure the foam won’t damage or bleach the carpet. 

3. Spray the foam on the stained carpet. 

4. Spray in one area, then spread the foam outwards using a mop until it covers the entire carpet.

5.  Work it into the carpet fibers with a clean rag.

6. Wait for the foam to dry. This may take a few hours. 

7. When it’s fully dry, vacuum the carpet again. 

3. The Bonnet Cleaning Method 

If you’ve worked late in a big office building, chances are you’ve seen the bonnet cleaning method at work. Most commonly used on industrial-grade carpet, the bonnet method of carpet cleaning relies on a rotary shampoo machine. 

First, a local carpet cleaning pro will cover the carpet in detergent. Then, they will push the rotary machine (which has a giant circular absorbent pad attached to its head) up and down the length of the carpet, buffing out the dirt and absorbing the cleaning agents.

Who this method is best for: Only use this method in commercial settings. While this is one powerful option, you don’t want to use a bonnet cleaner at home to clean your carpets, as it’s too powerful for your delicate floral rug. 

4. The Shampoo Method 

You’re probably familiar with the shampoo method and the machines that help deploy it. The machine contains two tanks; one tank is filled with a mixture of cleanser and water, and the other is empty. The machine applies the mixture to the carpet and then vacuums it back up and out of the carpet, depositing the dirty water to the empty tank.

Who this method is best for: If you’re having a last-minute get-together and you’re looking for a quick way to refresh your carpets rather than deep-cleaning them, this method is for you. The shampoo method costs between $80 and $400, with the carpet cleaning cost on the higher end if you use a professional. 

How to: 

1. Rent a carpet cleaner by the day. Purchase an eco-friendly or non-toxic carpet cleaning solution.

2. Pre-vacuum the carpet. 

3. Pre-treat any heavy stains. 

4. Fill the carpet cleaner with the formula and clean water according to its instructions.

5. Run the carpet cleaner, starting in the opposite corner of the exit. 

6. Conduct two passes, one to spray down the cleaner and one to suction everything away. Go much slower than you would with a vacuum cleaner. 

7. When finished, wait for the carpet to fully dry before stepping on it. This can take anywhere from 6 hours to a full day or more. 

8. Increase ventilation in the room and turn on fans to speed up the process. Keep kids and pets away until it’s completely dry. 

5. The Hot Water Extraction Method, a.k.a Steam Cleaning

This method is similar to shampooing with a carpet cleaner, but it replaces cleaners with heated water. A powerful machine covers your carpet in very hot water and cleaning agents. Then it extracts the hot water, any cleaners used, and all the dirt buried in your carpet.

Who this method is best for: This is the best method for just about every carpet owner. This is the most-effective method of cleaning a carpet, and it is safe for you to use on your carpeting at home, too. You can rent a steam cleaner yourself or hire a pro to steam clean your carpet, expect to spend an average of between $100 and $500. 

How to: 

1. Start by renting a steam carpet cleaner and purchasing carpet-cleaning formulas. 

2. Make sure your carpet can handle extremely hot water by testing a small, out-of-eyesight spot. 

3. Pre-vacuum the carpet.

4. Pre-treat any deep stains. 

5. Fill the steam cleaner with water and the recommended cleaner according to instructions. 

6. Start in the opposite corner from the exit, and run the steam cleaner back and forth over the carpet, once to apply the steam and solution, and once to remove it. 

7. Wait for the carpet to dry before using it. It should be dry within 6 to 12 hours. 

6. The Carbonation Method, a.k.a Chem-Dry

While it sounds like this method may just be giving a formal name to pouring seltzer on your carpet, that’s not the case. In fact, carbonation cleaning is a lot like hot water extraction with a couple of differences. You’ll use less water at a lower temperature, which injects tiny bubbles into your carpeting. This method will get your carpet just as clean as the hot water method but takes less drying time. This method is associated with the brand Chem-Dry and their patented process.

Who this method is best for: If you’ve got allergies or have small children who crawl on the floor, this method may be the right choice for you. It costs between $130 and $600 to have this method used in your home, making it pricier than other options. It’s best to find a local carpet cleaning company for this task.