Steam cleaning carpets vs shampooing: Which one to choose?

Vacuuming carpets is not enough to keep them clean. You also need to deep clean them, either through steam cleaning or shampooing. Although both methods help remove dirt and debris, understanding their differences is essential to determining which best suits your carpet cleaning needs.  

Keep reading to learn more about steam cleaning carpets vs shampooing in this guide. 

What is carpet steam cleaning? 

Ever wondered how to clean carpets without a carpet cleaner? The answer is simple: use a steam cleaner. 

Carpet steam cleaning involves using a steam cleaning machine that releases high-pressure jets, allowing the steam or hot water to penetrate deep into the carpet’s fibres. This helps dislodge and lift dust, dirt, and debris from the carpet. 

Remember that although some steam cleaners work well with hot water alone, others might require a specific cleaning solution. But before adding a cleaner to the steam cleaning machine, check the manufacturer’s recommendation to avoid damaging it.

Like other general household cleaning methods, learning how to steam clean a carpet requires several steps. Here’s how to correctly steam clean a carpet:

1. First, remove furniture and other items around the carpet to make cleaning easier. 

2. Then, vacuum the carpet to remove surface-level dirt and debris.

3. If the carpet has noticeable stubborn stains, pre-treat it with baking soda or white vinegar mixed with warm water. 

4. After pre-treating the carpet, grab the steam cleaner and fill its tank with hot water. 

5. Begin steam cleaning at the farthest corner of the room and work backwards to avoid walking on the cleaned parts of the carpet. Make sure to steam-clean carpets in overlapping strips to ensure a deep clean.

6. Once you’re done, allow the carpet to dry completely for at least 24 hours. 

What is carpet shampooing? 

Shampooing carpets involves using a specialised cleaning machine called a carpet shampooer or extractor. Unlike a steam cleaner, a carpet shampooer relies on a chemical-based cleaning solution to remove dirt, grime, stains, and odours in carpets. 

A carpet shampooer also comes with a rotating brush that is used as a scrubber. So, as the brush scrubs on the carpet, the cleaning solution will turn into foam, and this will help lift and capture the dirt deep within. 

The initial steps for shampooing carpets are similar to those for steam cleaning, as they require removing the items surrounding them first and pre-treating stains. However, the process becomes different when it comes to the actual cleaning. 

Here’s how to shampoo a carpet:

1. First, mix the carpet cleaner with water (refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for the correct mixture ratio). 

2. Next, fill the carpet shampooer’s tank with the cleaning solution. 

3. Begin shampooing at the farthest corner of the room and move the shampooer in straight parallel lines, overlapping on each pass. Don't inject too much shampoo to avoid overwetting the carpet.

4. After shampooing, turn on the carpet shampooer’s vacuum to suck up the wastewater and remove the excess shampoo. 

5. Then, empty your carpet shampooer’s wastewater and solution tank and fill it with clean water. Run the shampooer over the carpet again to rinse the excess shampoo.

6. Lastly, use a vacuum to remove the remaining dust and debris. And then that’s it! Wait overnight for the carpet to dry completely. 

Carpet shampoo vs steam cleaning: Which is the better carpet cleaning method? 

Leaving your carpets dirty can lead to poor indoor air quality, causing adverse health effects. This is why thoroughly cleaning them through steam carpet cleaning and shampooing is essential. Learn which carpet cleaning method is best by comparing them to different factors.

In terms of deep cleaning

Carpet steam cleaning provides a more effective deep clean using hot water extraction. This method involves injecting hot water into the carpet at high pressure, helping extract and dissolve the dirt deep within the carpet’s fibres. 

In contrast,  when shampooing carpets, you mostly rely on the power of the cleaning solution and the carpet shampooer machine to break down and lift off dirt. This can help remove surface-level dirt, but it doesn’t provide a comprehensive deep clean. 

Not to mention, loose particles tend to appear after shampooing. You must vacuum the carpet again to ensure no dust and dirt are left behind.

TIP: If someone throws up on the carpet, consider cleaning it with a steam cleaner instead of shampooing to eliminate vomiting smells. 

In terms of stain removal

Most carpet shampoos are formulated with cleaning chemicals that can help remove various stains like coffee spills or light mud footprints. But, bear in mind that some chemicals aren’t suitable for all carpets, so spot-test before shampooing a carpet. 

Steam cleaning is also an effective method to remove light carpet stains, as the high temperatures and pressurised steam can penetrate deep into the carpet. However, it’s less effective in removing stains than shampooing carpets since it doesn’t use chemical-based cleaners. 

However, for very stubborn stains like vomit or blood on your carpet, it's best to seek professional help.

In terms of allergen removal

The effectiveness of steam cleaning and shampooing in removing allergens depends on the level of wear and the height of the carpet pile. For example, if a thick carpet is old and worn down, getting rid of the allergens stuck deep within would be more difficult. 

But between shampooing and steam cleaning, the latter is the clear winner because studies have shown that steam cleaners help reduce allergens and maintain lower fungal levels. 

The cleaning effectiveness of shampooing carpets is limited to removing surface-level dirt, so it’s less effective in removing allergens. Not to mention, the chemicals present in carpet shampoos can trigger asthma and allergies. 

In terms of carpet residue

Carpet steam cleaning leaves little to no residue because the high heat helps dissolve the detergent while cleaning. On the other hand, shampooing a carpet is highly likely to leave a residue since it uses a chemical-based cleaner. If not rinsed well, carpets become very sticky, attracting more dust and dirt. 

Also, the problem with shampooing carpets is that it is sometimes difficult to tell if there’s residue left at first glance. You still have to wait a couple of hours to see if it starts to smell and confirm there’s residue left. 

In terms of drying time

It’s best to steam clean rugs and carpets for faster drying time because it uses much less water than shampooing. Plus, the hot water evaporates fast. Usually, you only need a couple of hours or 12 hours max to wait for the carpet to dry completely. 

Meanwhile, shampooing carpets require a lot of water and detergent, so you may have to wait at least 24 hours before the carpet dries. This can take longer if the weather is cold and humid. 

In terms of cost

Shampooing is less expensive than steam carpet cleaning because the equipment has a simpler design and costs less. One reason many steam cleaners are expensive is the extra accessories that come with them. 

You can rent a steam carpet cleaner to reduce costs, but it’s still best to leave the job to experts. Even if this comes with extra carpet cleaning costs, their services are worth availing of, as they can use the equipment more efficiently to clean your carpets deeply. 

Experience worry-free carpet cleaning with Airtasker

Carpet cleaning can be difficult, especially if you haven’t cleaned them for months. Avoid the hassle and leave the task to experts! At Airtasker, you can connect with many cleaning professionals who can provide a comprehensive deep-cleaning carpet service. Equipped with experience and skills, rest assured that they can finish the job more efficiently.