If you’ve only got a minute to read and just want to know the answer, rest assured that the answer is yes, steam cleaning is environmentally-friendly. But if you’ve got just another minute to spare, let us show you why it’s environmentally friendly and why it’s the best way to have your carpets cleaned.
Steam Cleaning vs Hot Water Extraction
First and foremost, consider the differences between steam cleaning and hot water extraction. Which method sounds more environmentally friendly? Well, these two are the same thing, but the term ‘steam cleaning’ tends to be more frequently used since perhaps it sounds less technical.
Steam cleaning (or hot water extraction, whichever term you prefer) uses hot water and a wet-vac system to suck up all of the contaminants and steam which is injected deep into the roots of the carpet.
Chemical Products
When steam cleaning a carpet, no harsh chemical products need to be used at all. In many cases, however, carpet cleaning businesses will use a gentle, natural, eco-friendly cleaning solution to disinfect and neutralise odours and bacterial growth in the carpet.
These cleaning products are then forced into the carpet piling with the pressure of hot steam coming from the machine, which is subsequently all sucked up into the wet-vac.
The use of harsh chemicals is therefore completely unnecessary if choosing steam cleaning for your home or business carpets.
Extended Carpet Lifespans
Routine carpet cleaning will keep your carpet looking fresh and feeling clean for months, and when cleaned twice or more frequently every year will last well into their usable lifespan. Naturally, this saves you money since you won’t have to replace the carpet early, which can be fairly costly.
Another benefit is that by keeping your carpet in good shape for longer, you aren’t tossing it out into the landfill and contributing to a growing waste problem worldwide. Good for your wallet, good for the environment – it’s a win-win.
Frequent Steam Cleaning: Is it Bad?
This question is a bit of a nagging question that is frequently asked online. Many claim that steam cleaning wears out the carpet fibres and piling faster, so it’s best to avoid having it steam cleaned altogether. This is not true, but sure as many myths go there is a shred of possible truth therein.
Firstly, to dispel the notion of wearing out the carpet’s fibres, steam cleaning machines must be used with inappropriate heat and pressure settings in order to damage the carpet. This is possible in two main circumstances:
- The professional doesn’t know what they’re doing (and thus probably won’t last in business very long if they’re ruining clients’ carpets!) and uses too high pressure or heat settings;
- The property owner rented or purchased a steam cleaning machine of poor quality, and/or applied the wrong settings for their carpet and thus damaged it.
So yes, it’s certainly possible when due diligence is not exercised to ruin a carpet with a steam cleaner. But when proper care is given and the steam cleaner settings are suitable for the type of carpet in question, the injection of sufficiently hot steam will not cause damage but rather revive the carpet and leave it fresh and lush ‘just like new.’
Electrovac
Have you experienced water damage in your carpet? Call the pros at Electrovac today.