Chem-Dry vs. Steam Cleaning
Carpets serve as natural air filters in your home, trapping dust, non-living allergens*, and more from the air and keeping them from your lungs. Over time, though, those particles can accumulate, and eventually, they can be released back into your home in greater concentrations. Many homeowners may not be aware of the issue and suffer the negative health effects without realizing there are simple solutions available.
Some homeowners hire a professional carpet steam cleaner, while others try to tackle it themselves with a rented or purchased machine — often struggling with the bulky equipment before eventually calling in a pro. While DIY steam cleaning is possible, it comes with the same challenges as hiring a professional, plus the added hassle of handling a heavy, unwieldy machine. Fortunately, there’s a smarter, more efficient professional solution available.
Not all carpet cleaning services are equal
When searching for a quality carpet cleaner, keep in mind that not all carpet cleaning services are created equal. There are several key factors that separate a high quality carpet cleaning process that delivers a healthier cleaning for your carpets and home from one that drenches your carpets with gallons of water and harsh cleaners. These factors explain why our unique Hot Carbonating Extraction system at Chem-Dry offers a deeper, faster drying, healthier carpet cleaning experience than typical steam cleaning services.
When you steam clean carpet, you saturate it with an excessive amount of water filled with soaps and detergents. This results in carpets that remain wet for 1-2 days, which can create a breeding ground for mold and mildew.
At Chem-Dry of the Golden Strip our process is different. Instead of soaking your carpets with water like a carpet steam cleaner, our process employs millions of microscopic bubbles to explode dirt from deep in your carpet fibers, so therefore we only need to use a fraction of the water that a typical steam carpet cleaner uses—almost 80% less in fact. We also use a carbonated carpet cleaner instead of a cleaner with soapy detergents and harsh chemicals. After the carbonation releases and lifts the dirt, our high powered equipment extracts the dirt and moisture from the carpet. While the drying time relies on several factors, such as humidity, airflow, and the carpet itself, the carpet will typically be dry within just an hour or two and ready for you to enjoy.
So while carpet steam cleaners use excessive amounts of water that often soaks through to the carpet backing and can create a breeding ground for mold and mildew, our low-moisture process doesn’t carry the same risk and offers a more convenient carpet cleaning solution. Plus, your carpets dry in just a few hours, not 1-2 days like with typical steam carpet cleaning.
With Chem-Dry of the Golden Strip, carpet cleaning doesn’t need to be a hassle.
See the Difference for Yourself
The best way to decide whether to hire a carpet steam cleaner or to use the Chem-Dry process is to look at the two methods side by side. Take a look below to see a sampling of the benefits Chem-Dry carpet cleaning offers over steam cleaning.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Chem-Dry vs. Steam Cleaning
Chem-Dry Hot Carbonating Extraction |
Typical Steam Cleaning |
| Carbonating, active cleaning solution | Flat, inactive cleaning solution |
| No harsh chemicals | Harsh chemicals and detergents |
| Low water quantity | High water quantity |
| Low pressure application | High pressure application |
| Short drying time, 1-2 hours | Long drying time, 1-2 days |
| Healthier cleaning method | Excessive water can cause mold, mildew |