What is the difference between Chem-Dry and Steam Cleaning?  

Though steam holds many benefits in the cleaning world, think twice before calling a carpet cleaning company that uses steam on your carpets.  

From beginning to end, Chem-Dry focuses on giving you a clean and healthy home. From our Chem-Dry Green Certified solution, proprietary equipment, professionally trained technicians, and individualized care, we ensure your carpets get deep cleaned and stay cleaner for longer. Our mission and passion are to provide a safe and healthy home environment for you and your family. Let’s dive into why.  

The Equipment 

The cleaning process starts with the equipment you use.  

Traditional steam cleaning involves pumping high volumes of soapy water into your carpet at extremely high pressure. This can be rough on your carpet and ends up driving some of the dirt even deeper into the carpet and backing.  

• Sprays hot steam at 400-600 PSI into your carpet. 

• Drives moisture and soil even deeper in the carpet. 

The Chem-Dry Hot Carbonating Extraction Process uses significantly less water – in fact, about 80% less water – while also cleaning more effectively.  

• Low pressure, so it’s easier on your carpet. 

• Emphasizes extraction, pulling the moisture and soil out of the carpet. 

The Products 

The products or solutions used when cleaning a carpet have a powerful impact, not only on how clean the carpet is after a cleaning, but how long it stays clean.  

Most traditional steam cleaning uses detergents that leave a soapy residue, which attracts dirt and leaves your carpet looking dingy again shortly after cleaning.  

• Soapy, sticky residue from detergents make carpets re-soil quickly. 

• Harsh cleaning chemicals can cause additional wear on carpets.  

• Cleaning chemicals can be harmful to pets and children.  

Chem-Dry uses a proprietary cleaner, The Natural™, that doesn’t include any soaps or detergents, so there is no dirt-attracting residue left behind. 

• The Natural™ contains no detergents, so your carpet stay cleaner for longer.  

• The Natural™ is one of our Chem-Dry Green Certified products.  

• The Natural™ is safe for children and pets.  

The Process 

Typical steam cleaners push a large amount of water into your carpet, which means the carpets can take days to dry.  

• Soaks the carpet, requiring days to dry. 

• Excessive water can soak through the carpet backing, which promotes growth of mold and mildew. 

• Removes dirt with use of soaps and chemicals which can cause carpets to re-soil quicker.  

The Chem-Dry Hot Carbonating Extraction Process uses one-fifth the water of traditional steam cleaning, which allows your carpets to dry in a couple of hours, rather than a couple of days.  

• Uses around 80% less water, drying in hours vs. days.  

• Low moisture and efficient extraction lead to quick drying and a healthier home. 

• Heat accelerates the carbonation reaction, which agitates and lifts dirt directly off the carpet fibers.