When your home’s carpets need a good cleaning, know which cleaning system to select
Dry carpet cleaning uses a mix of chemicals and water to remove dirt, while steam cleaning uses hot water and steam to lift dirt and stains from deeper in the fibers.
Dry carpet cleaning takes much less time to dry, but the chemicals can damage some rug materials.
Steam cleaning is more expensive, but the service often provides a deeper clean.
Consult a local carpet cleaning professional to determine which carpet-cleaning method is the best option for your home.
From birthday parties and practicing yoga to training your new puppy what not to do inside, your carpet sees a lot of activity. Both steam cleaning and dry cleaning work well to get dirt, pet urine, and stains out of your carpet. But which is best for your home? In this guide, we’ll discuss how these carpet cleaning methods compare, and help you decide which is the right option for your carpets.
When choosing whether to dry or steam clean your carpeting, consider several factors, from chemicals to price.
| Quality | Dry Carpet Cleaning | Steam Cleaning |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning agent | Chemicals | Water |
| Drying time | None | Up to 24 hours |
| Labor | Less intensive | Labor intensive |
| Cost | Less expensive | More expensive |
Steam cleaning uses hot water extraction to get soils and spills out of your carpet and prolong its life.
Steam cleaning works well on most types of carpets, including wool. A machine injects hot water into the carpet with high pressure. The machine then extracts the water using suction, taking with it all of the dirt and grime. For heavy soiling, your carpet might need pretreatment before cleaning.
During steam cleaning, you or a professional will:
Vacuum the carpet
Apply a chemical spray (optional)
Inject water via high pressure into the carpet
Use a special vacuum to remove all the water and soil
"Many companies will offer various options of cleaning chemicals: environmentally safe, non-abrasive, abrasive,” says Asya Biddle, Angi Expert Review Board member and manager of The Dust Busters janitorial company in Williamsport, PA. “The choice will be dependent on the frequency that the carpet is maintained, where it’s located like in a heavily trafficked area, and if it’s consistently becoming stained and in contact with debris."
| Pros of Steam Cleaning | Cons of Steam Cleaning |
|---|---|
| Deep cleans | Can take 24 hours to dry |
| Kills bacteria | Expensive |
| Leaves minimal residue | Time-consuming |
| No harsh chemicals | Not suitable for some rugs |
Best for: Homes with children and/or pets, given the lack of chemicals used
Removes deep-down stains, dirt, and grime
Removes dust mites, allergens, mold, pet scents, and more
Kills bacteria
Doesn’t leave residue
Often works better than other methods
Doesn’t use harsh chemicals
Leaves carpet much wetter than some other methods
Can take up to 24 hours to dry
You’ll likely have to keep furniture off the carpet until it dries
The cost to clean the carpet yourself runs higher than dry cleaners
Some people opt for steam carpet cleaning because it’s the best carpet cleaning method for anyone concerned about dry cleaning chemicals affecting their health and the environment. However, many cleaning solutions are available for people with allergies that are non-toxic or hypo-allergenic and free of dyes and perfumes. You can always speak with a carpet cleaner near you for more information, and to address your concerns.
Dry carpet cleaning uses powder chemicals to clean your carpet. All methods of dry cleaning use a small amount of water, but much less than steam cleaning. The dry cleaning method uses an absorbent compound sprinkled over the carpet or applied with a machine.
The compound contains an absorbent carrier, detergent, solvent, and a small amount of water to break up stains and remove them. In some cases, you may decide to apply a stain protector to minimize the chance of future stains.
During dry cleaning, you or a professional will:
Vacuum the carpet
Pretreat stains (optional)
Apply a chemical dry powder, detergent, and solvent
Vacuum the carpet to remove the chemicals and all of the water
| Pros of Dry Carpet Cleaning | Cons of Dry Carpet Cleaning |
|---|---|
| Less expensive | Uses chemicals |
| Rapid drying times | Not suitable for some materials |
| Less time-consuming | Can break down carpet over time |
| Great for spot cleaning | Not as deep of a clean |
Best for: Rush cleaning jobs that need to be dry quickly; spot cleaning
Short drying time
Best for cleaning high traffic areas
Can be used to spot treat stubborn areas
Uses chemicals and perfumes
Can build up residues that break down the fibers of your carpet
May not provide a deep clean
Because dry cleaning uses chemicals, people with allergies or sensitivities may have concerns about possible reactions to the solvents and perfumes. While the chemicals used are safe in most cases, many homeowners with children and/or pets avoid dry carpet cleaning to be extra safe.
Dry carpet cleaning and steam cleaning are both great ways to get stubborn soil and stains out of your carpet, but they’re often not totally interchangeable. You’ll need to choose the one that’s best suited to your carpet material and personal preference.
Let’s take a look at how these cleaning methods compare.
Both dry carpet cleaning and steam cleaning usually do a good job of removing soil, debris, and even stains from your carpets. However, since steam cleaning uses high heat and water, it usually provides better stain-removing results, especially for stains that are set in. As such, steam cleaning typically leaves a cleaner-looking carpet.
Steam cleaning might leave you with a cleaner carpet, but the work is also a bit more labor-intensive, making it a more expensive service. Your professional will usually make a few passes over your carpets to get the best results possible. Even if you do the work yourself, you’ll usually pay more to rent or buy a steam cleaner than you would buying the dry carpet cleaning chemicals.
When it comes to how long the clean look of your carpets will last, the methods are tied. However, if you’re concerned about the durability of your carpet over time and through multiple cleans, steam cleaning is probably the way to go. You can’t steam clean every carpet material, but those you can will stand up well to repeated cleanings.
On the other hand, dry carpet cleaning chemicals can slowly damage your carpet, so while it’s fine every so often, continuous dry carpet cleaning will reduce the lifespan of your carpet.
Both dry carpet cleaning and steam cleaning are relatively straightforward, but most homeowners will find the process of dry carpet cleaning a little more approachable because of the equipment involved. For steam cleaning, you need to rent or buy a steam cleaner, which can get expensive. For dry cleaning, you can use your own vacuum, so all you’ll need is a scrub brush and the dry cleaning chemicals.
Some dry carpet cleaning chemicals are safe to use and don’t have too much of a negative impact on the environment, but since steam cleaning uses only water, it’s always going to be the more eco-friendly option.
Based on the responses of 67,100 Angi customers, steam cleaning is the most popular carpet cleaning method, chosen by 46.5% of homeowners. Its deep-cleaning power, high heat, and ability to remove dirt, stains, and allergens make it a reliable choice for maintaining carpets. In contrast, dry cleaning is less preferred because it relies on chemicals and perfumes, can leave residue that may damage carpet fibers over time, and may not provide the same thorough, deep clean as steam cleaning.
The average cost for professional carpet cleaning is $180, but the price can range anywhere from $120 to $240, depending on your location and several other factors. The cost could climb even higher if you have a large surface area to clean or particularly stubborn stains. Specialty services, such as deep cleaning for pet stains or delicate materials, may also impact the final price.
As with many other do-it-yourself projects, DIY cleaning can be cost-effective and appropriate for light maintenance or small areas. But when it comes to materials and supplies, consumer machines and cleaners are less powerful than their professional-grade equivalents.
Hiring a professional guarantees thorough cleaning, especially for large spaces, tough stains, or high-traffic areas. While it may cost more, pros have the equipment and the know-how to make carpets look new while extending their life span. That alone makes hiring a professional carpet cleaning service a wise long-term investment in your home.
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Shannon and another plumber, John arrived 10 minutes after the agreed time but went to work promptly. they used foot covers to protect our floors and carpeting. They were able to remove the stoppers and drains in a double vanity as well as stop the leak in a drain pipe under one of the...
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Found Kathy on the list along with 3 others, placed calls and she was the first I spoke with. I explained what I needed to have done, what the size of rooms were, carpet type, etc. She explained the process, time frame and cost. Enjoyed speaking with her and waited to receive paperwork...
Estimator arrived on time and was professional. He gave me two estimates one for R-22 and one for R-44. I talked with them a second time and we arrived at the in between level of R38 for an in between price. Workers arrived on time and placed carpet covering over the hose areas. They...
Muth & Company RoofingThey gave us excellent service at the store. Sherry is very knowledgeable about flooring. We purchased the carpeting in Dec. 2009 and scheduled the installation for January. The installers showed up exactly as planned. They were polite and efficient. The result was beautiful.
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