Guide to Carpet Cleaning Methods

A clean carpet does more than just look good—it elevates any space and ties the room together. That’s why regularly cleaning your carpets is essential for maintaining their appearance, significantly extending their lifespan, and ensuring a healthy environment by removing ingrained dirt, dust, allergens, and potentially harmful bacteria.

In this comprehensive 2025 guide, we’ll walk you through various methods on how to properly clean your carpets, both at home and at work, helping you choose the best way to clean your carpet according to your needs.

For more information and professional help, contact Clean and Care for carpet cleaning services.

Why Regular Carpet Maintenance is Important

Consistent carpet care prevents the build-up of abrasive particles that can damage carpet fibres over time, leading to premature wear. Moreover, carpets can trap many allergens and pollutants, impacting indoor air quality. Therefore, regular cleaning contributes to a healthier living or working space.

How to Clean Your Carpet at Home

Maintaining your carpet between professional cleans is crucial:

1. Vacuum Regularly Vacuuming is the cornerstone of carpet care. Vacuuming is the cornerstone of carpet care. Aim to vacuum the entire carpet at least once weekly and high-traffic areas at least two to three times weekly. Use a vacuum cleaner with a rotating brush bar and strong suction to lift dirt and debris from the carpet fibres effectively. For optimal results, go over each area multiple times in different directions. For more intensive carpet cleaning services, we at Clean and Care offer a no-obligation consultation on our professional services.

2. Dry Clean the Carpet  Dry cleaning the carpet at home involves using a dry carpet cleaning compound. Sprinkle the powder evenly over the carpet, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Then, use a brush to work the compound into the carpet fibres. Allow the recommended dwell time for the powder to absorb dirt and oil. Finally, carefully vacuum the affected area to remove the powder and the trapped debris. If you’ve been wondering how to clean your carpets without a machine, this method is excellent for a quick refresh.

3. Remove Carpet Stains Properly  Act quickly when spills occur. Blot the stain immediately with a paper towel or clean cloth, working from the outside inwards to prevent spreading. During this step, it’s important to avoid rubbing. For specific stains, use a carpet stain remover formulated for your carpet fibre and the type of stain. Always test the cleaner in an inconspicuous area first to ensure it doesn’t damage or discolour the carpet. For persistent or large stains, consider professional carpet cleaning services.

4. Sanitise the Carpet To sanitise your carpet and eliminate bacteria and lingering odours, sprinkle baking soda over the affected surface, let it sit for at least 30 minutes (or even overnight), and then vacuum thoroughly. For more potent sanitisation, consider using a carpet sanitising spray—but always follow the manufacturer’s instructions and make sure the product is safe for your carpet type. For comprehensive sanitisation, especially in environments with high foot traffic or specific hygiene concerns, professional carpet cleaning is recommended. Contact us at Clean and Care today for expert advice and some of the top solutions for carpet cleaning services in Singapore.

Overview of Carpet Cleaning Techniques

There are various professional carpet cleaning techniques available, and choosing the right method depends on your carpet type, the level of soiling, and any other needs you may have:

1. Carpet Shampooing
2. Dry Cleaning
3. Bonnet Cleaning
4. Encapsulation
5. Hot water extraction/Steam Cleaning
6. Foam Carpet Cleaning

Carpet Shampooing

Carpet shampooing employs a wet cleaning method using detergents to agitate and lift dirt from carpet fibres.

Pros of Carpet Shampooing

• Helps remove thick soils and stains from the carpets.
• It cleans a lot of space quickly.
• Although it contains water, it dries rapidly.

Cons of Carpet Shampooing

• Most manufacturers do not encourage this procedure because of the risk of damage from the harsh brushes.
• One of the major drawbacks is that it leaves residue on carpeting. All stains and spills are driven deeper into the fibres, out of sight.

Dry Cleaning

Dry cleaning for carpets, as previously mentioned, involves applying dry chemical compounds designed to absorb dirt. And these compounds, along with the absorbed dirt, are then thoroughly vacuumed away. This method is well-known for its use of very little to no water.

Pros of Dry Cleaning

• The rapid drying time.
• The operator does not require significant training.
• Excellent for a quick touch-up or interim cleaning, especially in a 24-hour facility.

Cons of Dry Cleaning

• Most carpet manufacturers do not suggest this procedure since it doesn’t remove much soil
• Cleaning powders are only ideal for lightly stained carpets because they do not rinse and remove heavy spills.
• Dust in the home might be caused by residues left behind in the carpet.

Bonnet Cleaning

Bonnet cleaning is a method that employs a rotary machine equipped with an absorbent pad, also known as a bonnet, which is dampened with a cleaning solution. The machine is then used to spin over the carpet surface, and in doing so, it absorbs surface dirt.

Pros of Bonnet Cleaning

• Simple and easy.
• Good for quick commercial touch-ups.

Cons Bonnet Cleaning

• Fibres can be damaged if used in a domestic setting. Unless properly cleaned, fuzzing or swirl markings might become permanent.
• It just pushes the gunk into the backing rather than removing it.

For these and other reasons, most professional carpet cleaning services in Singapore avoid using the bonnet method in their carpet maintenance plans.

Encapsulation

Encapsulation cleaning is a technique that uses synthetic detergents formulated to crystallise around individual dirt particles. Once these detergents dry, the encapsulated particles are easily removed from the carpet through vacuuming.

Pros of Encapsulation

• Encapsulation dries quickly.
• It is regarded as eco-friendlier than other methods.
• After vacuuming up the powder, there isn’t much chemical left behind, and it doesn’t use much water or electricity.

Cons of Encapsulation

• May be less effective when dealing with heavily soiled carpets or greasy stains. It also necessitates thorough vacuuming to ensure the complete removal of all the encapsulated particles.

Hot Water Extraction or Steam Cleaning

Hot water extraction, a.k.a. steam cleaning, is a process that involves injecting a hot water and cleaning solution mixture deep into the carpet fibres and then immediately extracting this mixture, along with the dislodged dirt and debris, from the carpet.

Pros of Steam Cleaning

• Highly effective for performing a deep clean of the carpet
• Effectively removing embedded dirt, allergens, and even some bacteria that may be present.
• It is often recommended by carpet manufacturers as a preferred cleaning method.

Cons of Steam Cleaning

• However, steam cleaning utilises a significant amount of water, which results in longer drying times for the carpet.
• This extended drying time can be an inconvenience and, if not managed properly, can create conditions that promote mould or mildew growth.
• It also typically requires the use of professional-grade equipment to achieve optimal results.

Foam Carpet Cleaning

Foam carpet cleaning is a method that uses a foam-based cleaning solution to the carpet, allowing it to sit for a short period of time to attract dirt particles, and then vacuuming the foam and the trapped dirt away.

Pros of Foam Carpet Cleaning

• This method is relatively easy to use and is often available in the form of DIY products that can be purchased for home use.
• It also has the advantage of using less water compared to the traditional carpet shampooing method.

Cons of Foam Carpet Cleaning

• However, foam carpet cleaning may not be as effective when dealing with deeply ingrained dirt or heavy soiling.
• Additionally, it can sometimes leave behind a residue if the foam is not properly extracted from the carpet.

Get Your Carpets Professionally Cleaned with Clean and Care!

Choosing the best way to clean your carpets can be confusing, especially when you don’t know how to wash your carpets the right way. That’s why, at Clean and Care, we offer professional carpet washing services tailored to your specific carpet type and needs. Our experienced team utilises effective and safe cleaning techniques to remove dirt, stains, pests, and allergens, leaving your carpets looking and feeling fresh.

If you’re looking for expert carpet cleaning services—and even sofa cleaning services—in Singapore, contact us at Clean and Care today for a no-obligation consultation and let us revitalise your carpets!