Method Overview
Both methods are professional-grade — the right one depends on your carpet, your situation, and your timeline.
Carpet Steam Cleaning
Hot Water Extraction (HWE)
Hot water is injected deep into carpet fibres at 200+ PSI / 85°C using our truck-mounted Sapphire Scientific APEX 570 system, then extracted along with dissolved soils, bacteria, allergens and staining agents. The industry gold standard for thorough cleaning.
IICRC gold standard — deepest soil extraction available
Kills 99.9% of bacteria, dust mites & allergens with 85°C heat
Best for heavily soiled carpets & stubborn stain removal
Eliminates pet odours at the source (with enzymatic pre-treatment)
Truck-mounted power removes more soil than portable machines
Industry recommended for annual deep cleans
Considerations:
2–4 hour drying time required
Not suitable for moisture-sensitive natural fibres without specialist care
Requires adequate ventilation during drying
Carpet Dry Cleaning
Low-Moisture Encapsulation
Specialist dry-cleaning compounds and encapsulation technology are worked into the carpet pile, binding to soil particles which are then extracted by vacuuming. Minimal moisture means faster drying and suitability for moisture-sensitive fibres.
Carpet walkable in 30–60 minutes — minimal disruption
Low moisture — safe for moisture-sensitive or delicate fibres
Ideal for commercial premises requiring fast turnaround
No risk of over-wetting or shrinkage on sensitive carpets
Great for light surface maintenance cleans
Considerations:
Cannot extract deep-set soil as effectively as HWE
Less effective on heavy stains, urine or odour removal
Not suitable for severe soiling or allergen removal
Feature
Steam
Dry
Drying Time
2–4 hours
30–60 minutes
Soil Removal Depth
Deep (full fibre)
Surface & mid-pile
Stain Removal
Excellent
Good (light stains)
Allergen Removal
Excellent (heat kills mites)
Moderate
Odour Removal
Excellent (enzymatic pre-treat)
Limited
Delicate Fibres
Specialist care required
Preferred method
Pet Urine Treatment
Best result
Not recommended
IICRC Recommended
✓ Gold standard
✓ For suitable use cases
Commercial Suitability
Good (schedule around hours)
Excellent (quick turnaround)
Annual Deep Clean
Recommended
Supplement between HWE
2–4 hrs
Steam Dry Time
~60 min
Dry Clean Ready
99.9%
Steam — Allergen Kill
Eco Safe
Both Methods
Quick 5-Question Qualifier
Which Method is Right for You?
Answer 5 quick questions and we'll recommend the best cleaning method and package for your home.
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