Chem-Dry vs. Steam Cleaning
Cape Fear Chem-Dry Vs Wilmington Steam Carpet Cleaners
You may not realize it, but your carpets are serving a really important role in your home. They are trapping non-living allergens* in their fibers to keep them from entering your indoor air. It’s like a really big air filter. But what happens to a filter as it fills up? It no longer works as it should, and needs to be replaced or cleaned out. Because most people don’t have the money to replace their carpets every year, finding a good professional carpet cleaner in Wilmington is crucial.
Some people may choose to hire a professional carpet steam cleaner to come to their home and clean the carpets. Others will either buy or rent their own steam carpet cleaner and struggle with the machine before finally throwing up their hands and calling a professional anyway. It’s certainly possible to steam clean carpet yourself. Still, it carries the same problems as hiring a professional carpet steam cleaner with the added hassle of wrestling with an unwieldy piece of equipment. There is a better professional solution available near you.
Not all carpet cleaning services are equal
When searching for a quality carpet cleaner, keep in mind that not all carpet cleaning services are created equal. There are several key factors that separate a high-quality carpet cleaning process that delivers a healthier cleaning for your carpets and home from one that drenches your carpets with gallons of water and harsh cleaners. These factors explain why our unique Hot Carbonating Extraction system at Chem-Dry offers a deeper, faster drying, healthier carpet cleaning experience than typical steam cleaning services.
When you steam clean carpet, you saturate it with an excessive amount of water filled with soaps and detergents. This results in carpets that remain wet for 1-2 days, which creates a breeding ground for mold, mildew, and bacteria. Plus, any soap left behind by carpet steam cleaners attracts dirt and causes your carpets to get dirty much faster.
The process we use here at Cape Fear Chem-Dry is different. Instead of soaking your carpets with water like a local steam carpet cleaner, our process employs millions of microscopic bubbles to explode dirt from deep in your carpet fibers. As a result, we only need to use a fraction of the water that a typical steam carpet cleaner uses—almost 80% less, in fact. Our primary cleaning solution also doesn’t contain harsh, sticky soaps. After the carbonation releases and lifts the dirt, our high-powered equipment extracts the dirt and moisture from the carpet. While the drying time relies on several factors, such as humidity, airflow, and the carpet itself, the carpet will typically be dry within just an hour or two and ready for you to enjoy.
So why should you choose this process instead? Because carpet steam cleaners use excessive amounts of water that often soaks through to the carpet backing and creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Meanwhile, our low-moisture process doesn’t carry the same level of risk and offers a more convenient carpet cleaning solution. Plus, your carpets dry in just a few hours, not 1-2 days like with typical steam carpet cleaning, and your carpet stays cleaner longer because there isn’t a single soap left behind.
With Cape Fear Chem-Dry, carpet cleaning in Wilmington doesn’t need to be a hassle…
See the Difference for Yourself
The best way to decide whether to hire a carpet steam cleaner or to use the Chem-Dry all natural process is to look at the two methods side by side. Take a look below to see a sampling of the benefits Chem-Dry carpet cleaning offers over steam cleaning.
Side-by-Side Comparison: Chem-Dry vs. Steam Cleaning
Chem-Dry Hot Carbonating Extraction |
Typical Steam Cleaning |
| Carbonating, active cleaning solution | Flat, inactive cleaning solution |
| No soaps or detergents | Harsh chemicals and detergents |
| No soaps left behind | Soaps are often left behind |
| Low water quantity | High water quantity |
| Low-pressure application | High pressure application |
| Short drying time, 1-2 hours | Long drying time, 1-2 days |
| Healthier cleaning method | Excessive water can cause mold, mildew |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cape Fear Chem-Dry more expensive than a steam carpet cleaner in Wilmington?
Yes, Cape Fear Chem-Dry is typically going to cost more than one of the steam services in the Wilmington area, like Stanley Steemers. However, many people report that traditional steam carpet cleaners often use a bait-and-switch method on their pricing. They’ll tell you one thing in the initial estimate, only to run up the price when the final invoice arrives. These are problems you don’t run into with Cape Fear Chem-Dry. In addition, people often report a faster dry time, a longer-lasting clean, and an overall experience that reflects a high-quality service that’s well worth the price.
Is it bad to use soap in my carpet?
No, it’s not bad to use soap on your carpet. However, the kind of soap you use matters, and it may be more difficult to rinse out than you might originally think. That’s why plenty of carpet cleaners here in Wilmington, NC are turning to other cleaning agents. The team at Cape Fear Chem-Dry, for example, uses a carbonated cleaning solution that doesn’t contain harsh soaps or detergents at all.
Does Bullshot Carpet Cleaner work as well as Chem-Dry Spot Remover?
Both of these products are high-quality DIY carpet cleaning and spot treatment solutions. Bullshot carpet cleaner may be more readily available for purchase, but the Chem-Dry Spot Remover may deliver a more effective stain removal. To order the Chem-Dry Spot Remover, you may have to go directly to a provider like Cape Fear Chem-Dry.