Three main types of carpet cleaning methods that are used today may clean your carpet, but most have drawbacks, and may even damage your carpet: Hot Water (Steam Cleaning, also called "Hot Water Extraction"), Dry Cleaning, and Shampooing. There is one carpet cleaning method, however, that's both safe and effective.

Steam cleaning utilizes soap or shampoo added to hot water. This mixture is injected heavily onto the carpet, then immediately extracted out with a suction unit. There are various complaints with this method. The carpets tend to feel stiff or crunchy after it's dried. This is because the hot temperatures used can remove the natural oils from the carpet. Also, dirt and spots may reappear more rapidly after the carpet has been cleaned. This is because not all of the soap, shampoo and detergents can be removed, and the chemical residue left behind attracts dirt.

Shampooing generally uses many different types of cleaning equipment, but the result is the same. Shampoo cannot be completely removed from the carpet, resulting in residue that attracts dirt more quickly.

Dry cleaning is the least popular carpet cleaning method, and is not used as often these days. However, many different types of archaic cleaning equipment all use a type of dry-cleaning solvent in the cleaning process, similar to those used to dry-clean clothes. This system is not very thorough and, like other outdated carpet cleaning methods, may leave residue behind that attracts dirt.

The best carpet cleaning method is one that is effective, as well as safe for your family, pets, and of course, your carpet! The safest cleaning solutions are organic, pH balanced, biodegradable, and environmentally friendly. The most effective cleaning solutions do not use any type of soap, shampoo, detergents or surfactants, because of the residue they leave behind that dirt can adhere to, resulting in a carpet that gets dirtier more quickly. Also, using a low-moisture carpet cleaning method will ensure that the carpets dry within a few hours. This is much better than large amounts of water flooding your carpet, which can take days to dry and can cause mold, odors, and water damage to your floors.