Hot water extraction, also known as “steam cleaning” is a common method used for cleaning carpets, upholstery, and most surfaces around your home. It also happens to be the most effective in deep cleaning. “Steam cleaning” is a generally misleading term, since the process doesn’t actually involve the use of steam to clean surfaces. “Hot water extraction” is the more accurate term because the process actually involves two stages. First, the machine spews hot soapy solution to take out all the grime and filth from all sorts of materials and surfaces. Then it retrieves back the excess water together with the dirt that the mixture previously dislodged. While hot water extraction is a process more commonly used in cleaning carpets, this process can also be employed in cleaning various materials, such as bricks, bathroom tiles, and even jewelry. What makes the latter method different is simply the kind of hot water extraction equipment used in cleaning the objects.
When it comes to cleaning carpets, hot water extraction helps to dislodge filth and grime that have collected within the fibers. As previously mentioned, this involves two stages. In the first stage, the machine combines hot water and a cleaning agent to make a solution. Then this solution is released through high-pressure jets which the carpet fibers easily absorb. This loosens all kinds of dirt that are attached deep within the carpet. In the second stage, the cleaner then vacuums the solution—excess water and dirt—back into a receptacle to be disposed later on. Once this process is done, you will have a very clean carpet that will dry out in a few hours.
Hot water extraction machines use either internal or external heaters to make hot water. Hot water is especially effective in cleaning because it breaks down dirt, grease, debris, and all sorts of residue, not to mention kill various types of bacteria, resulting in “deep cleaning.” You can never underestimate the power of hot water extraction when it comes to cleaning your carpet, furniture, bathroom, etc. It’s important to note that most carpet manufacturers recommend hot water extraction as the preferred method for cleaning carpets since it is the most efficient in removing all kinds of grime and dirt. Also, since machines used for hot water extraction employ vacuums, lesser residue is left behind, as compared to other carpet cleaning methods.
One of the downsides to hot water extraction, however, is that drying out your carpet might take a little while, 8 hours at most. But you’ll notice that as your carpet dries out, it will look more fresh and brand new since the smaller fibers become more prominent. Because of the advantages of cleaning your carpet, it is recommended that you do this as least once or twice a year.