Seeking advice on cleaning carpets with steam versus shampoo?

Question

I need to clean carpets throughout my house and am considering both hiring or buying a machine. The answers to previous carpet cleaning queries refer to experience with steam cleaners and alternative shampoo cleaners. Does anyone have the experience to tell me which of the two types of machine is best for two different types of carpet, i.e. a thick pile, sculptured carpet and also a flat pile carpet (which is much easier to clean).

Answer 1

The best solution for both types is the shampoo machine. This will clean the fibre and ensure the dirt stains are peprmanently removed. It does take longer to do and top dry but the results are better. Steam does work but only removes the surface stain and eventually the stain will re-appear as it works thro the fibr (milk stains are typical of this).
No doubt for me the shampoo option is the best.

Answer 2

I have found the shampooer just pushes the dirt around and in a week or so the stains will just come right back. With the steam which is really not steam, but for the sake of mention, it can scrub as well as suck up the dirt. I would rather have as much dirt sucked up then just push it around. Just have to be sure to go over the bad areas several times. Have heard there are some on the market that do a great job. I am researching this myself. My carpets were shampooed before I moved in and the dirt is still there, looked clean for a couple of weeks. I vote steam or hot water suction over pushing dirt around.

Answer 3

It is better to have a professional shampooer do it.when something is spilled on your carpet it goes through the carpet and the pad. So it your machine is not powerful enough it cleans the carpet and gets the pad wet, the carpet dries but acts like a sponge over time and soaks up the stain from the pad back into the carpet. so the stain comes, back, Also you have to remember if carpet gets to wet and stays wet then it can de-laminate meaning that the carpet fibers can release from the backing causing it to fall apart and start to wrinkle. if you can spot clean and only have a professional do it so they make sure to suck up all the water used.

Answer 4

The shampooer works really well, but leaves water behind, so if this is what you choose to do, remember to control the amount of water that you release. I have this machine as well as a steam machine with the double brush and side brush. The steamer cleans beautifully as well as removes the water. Usually, if the AC is running, the floor will be dry in a couple of hours.

Answer 5

I paid for a guy to come steam clean my carpets. They didn't look any different than before. I told him they still look dirty and he said that steaming doesn't make them look cleaner, shampooing does. Steam cleaning sanitizes them, getting rid of dust mites, allergens, etc, but doesn't do a thing for the top layer of the carpet where all the dirt shows. If you want them to look clean, shampoo them.

Answer 6

the shampoo cleans the carpet better but it is wetter and breaks down the carpet fibers more and the padding stays wet if don't shampoo very often not a big deal but if you have your carpet cleaned often it will show wear on your carpet more than steaming

Answer 7

shampooer every time, and hire it , its not cluttering up the house then