In short
- Hot water extraction, usually called steam cleaning, gives the deepest clean.
- Low-moisture methods dry faster and suit regular upkeep of busy commercial carpet.
- Natural fibres such as sisal and jute usually shouldn't be wet-cleaned at all.
What steam cleaning actually is
Despite the name, carpet steam cleaning isn't really steam. It's hot water extraction: the carpet is vacuumed, stains and traffic lanes are pre-treated, then hot water is sprayed into the pile and extracted straight away with strong suction. The rinse carries loosened soil out of the carpet instead of pushing it around.
What ‘dry’ carpet cleaning means
Dry methods use little or no water. The common ones are encapsulation (a solution that dries into crystals, which are vacuumed away), bonnet cleaning (a rotating pad that lifts soil from the top of the pile) and dry compounds (an absorbent powder worked in and vacuumed out).
They're quick and the carpet can be walked on almost straight away, but they clean the upper part of the pile rather than rinsing the whole depth.
Side by side
| Hot water extraction | Low-moisture methods | |
|---|---|---|
| Depth of clean | Rinses the whole pile | Mainly the top of the pile |
| Drying time | A few hours | Very short |
| Best for | Homes, rentals, heavy soiling, periodic deep cleans | Regular upkeep of busy commercial carpet |
| Watch out for | Over-wetting if done badly | Residue build-up if used on its own for years |
What the Australian standard says
AS/NZS 3733:2018, the Australian and New Zealand standard for carpet cleaning maintenance, sets minimum requirements for cleaning programs for residential and commercial carpet. It recognises several cleaning systems, including wet and low-moisture methods, rather than one method for everything. The practical message: match the method to the carpet and how it's used.
Which should you choose?
- Home carpet cleaned once or twice a year: hot water extraction.
- End of lease: hot water extraction, so the carpet is properly rinsed before the final inspection.
- Offices and shops: low-moisture cleaning of walkways between visits, with a hot water extraction clean once or twice a year.
- Wool: either can work with wool-safe products and careful moisture control.
- Sisal, jute and other plant fibres: dry methods only. Water can shrink them and leave brown marks.
Check your warranty
Carpet manufacturers publish care guides, and some warranties specify how the carpet should be cleaned. If your carpet is new or still under warranty, check the guide before choosing a method.
