Steam cleaning vs. low moisture cleaning: which is right for your carpets?

7 March 2025

You’ve got to love the feeling of coming home onto carpets that have just been professionally cleaned! The team at Advanced Carpet Cleaning in Christchurch never get tired of seeing homeowners admire their freshly cleaned carpets – the air is fresher, there’s a sense of a calm and positive energy, rooms feel bigger, and the carpets look and feel so much better.


The benefits of having clean carpets are clear, but when it comes to deep cleaning carpets for businesses and homes, did you know there are different methods to choose from?

Some have limited applications, and others have limited appeal. However, when it comes to thorough cleaning and sanitising, two primary methods stand out: steam cleaning (also known as hot water extraction) and low moisture cleaning. While both methods have their place in the professional carpet cleaning industry, understanding their differences will help you feel confident about the method we recommend for your space.


If you’re looking for professional carpet cleaning services in Christchurch, here’s an overview of both methods and how they help you achieve cleaner, fresher carpets with lasting results:


What is steam carpet cleaning?

Steam cleaning, when done correctly, is one of the most effective carpet cleaning methods available. The process involves applying a finely controlled amount of pressurised hot water and cleaning solution deep into carpet fibres, then extracting it along with the collected dirt, debris, allergens, and bacteria.



A person is using a vacuum cleaner to clean a carpet.

The benefits of steam cleaning

Sanitises carpets: the high temperature, combined with high pressure and tiny jets ensures a deep clean within the carpet fibres. This process breaks down pollutants and residues. It also destroys bacteria, viruses, and germs, and aids in removal of fleas, carpet moth larvae, dust mites and allergens.


Deep cleans and tackles stubborn stains: the dynamic duo of high temperature and high pressure strike again, tackling tough embedded stains with their might. The high heat of steam cleaning breaks down the sticky components of the stain and the pressurised steam ‘lifts away’ the loosened dirt away from the surface of the carpet fibres. The deep clean also helps with contaminants causing carpet odours.


Preserves and extends the life of the carpet: regular professional carpet cleaning is vital maintenance for your carpet. The deep cleaning removes the debris that is responsible for eroding carpet fibres over time. (Handy tip: check the warranty of your carpet. Some brands require receipts of annual professional carpet steam cleaning before honouring!)


Reduces risk of harmful moulds and mildew: professional steam cleaning carpets leaves behind minimal moisture which reduces the risk of mould and mildew growth; it’s also highly efficient at removing pre-existing mould and mildew when combined with a microbial agent.


Faster drying time: the key to effective steam cleaning is ensuring water is the right temperature (hot tap water isn’t hot enough) along with it being dispensed onto the carpet under very high pressure through very small jets. This all ensures the carpet is not overly-wetted, and along with powerful extraction it dries as quickly as the ambient temperature of the room allows.


Long-lasting results: the efficiency of the deep clean means the carpets don’t need cleaning as often, saving you time, energy and money, but also after your initial appointment with Advanced Carpet Cleaning in Christchurch, the carpets are easier to maintain.


A man and two children are laying on the floor reading a book.

The disadvantages of steam cleaning carpets

While steam cleaning delivers incredible carpet cleaning results, there are some potential drawbacks:


  • If a poorly skilled operator soaks your carpet, there will be a long drying time


  • Furniture removed from the room before cleaning should ideally stay off the carpet until the carpet is fully dry, which could cause inconvenience


  • It uses more water than low moisture cleaning


  • Improper cleaning can void carpet warranties.


However, these drawbacks are avoided by hiring professional carpet cleaners who:


  • Operate using industry-leading, well-maintained equipment and techniques


  • Give you the option of leaving some furniture in place


  • Are experienced and who actively work to ensure acceptable drying times, ensuring a thorough and efficient clean


  • Are recommended by leading retailers and manufacturers.


If you're looking for the best carpet cleaning in Christchurch and need a deep clean, steam cleaning is the go-to choice, and Advanced Carpet Cleaning is your go-to company.


What is low moisture carpet cleaning?

Low moisture cleaning, also known as encapsulation, is a gentle yet very effective method. The science behind this method is impressive. Specialist cleaning agents are sprayed onto to the carpet which trap (encapsulate) the dirt, before the carpet is gently bonnet-cleaned with super-absorbent cotton pads. A tiny amount of moisture is left behind which continues to work and is easily removed – with any additional dirt it’s encapsulated – when the carpet is next vacuumed. 



A baby 's hand is crawling on a gray carpet

The benefits of low moisture carpet cleaning

Fast drying time: with significantly less water used in the cleaning process, carpets dry within 1 to 2 hours, making it a convenient choice for busy homes and businesses.


Minimises indoor condensation: the low moisture method means much less indoor condensation if your property is closed up overnight or over the weekend without ventilation after cleaning.


Removes dirt and marks efficiently: encapsulation technology traps dirt and debris in a crystallised form, which is then easily removed, leaving carpets visibly clean and refreshed. Marks and stains can still be individually treated throughout the cleaning process.


Dry soils are lifted: Thorough pre-vacuuming is an essential step before every clean (steam clean or low moisture), and we do that for you with our commercial brush-vacuum upright vacuum, taking up as much dry matter as possible before cleaning starts.


Eco-friendly: low moisture carpet cleaning uses minimal water and power and is quite quiet which makes for less disturbance to residents, workers or neighbours.


Furniture can be moved back quicker: with quicker drying comes a speedier return to normal – furniture can usually be moved back onto cleaned carpet after just a couple of hours. We still recommend popping a small square of plastic underneath furniture legs to prevent any issues from unsealed furniture stain or existing rust transferring colour to the recently cleaned carpet.



A little girl is laying on the floor with two puppies.

The disadvantages of low moisture cleaning carpets

While low moisture carpet cleaning is an efficient and convenient option, the limitations are that:


  • It does not clean as deeply as steam cleaning


  • Some stubborn stains will need the benefit of heat and flushing to shift them, and steam cleaning is the method of choice for these


  • Very dense, delicate or high-pile carpets may not be suited to low moisture techniques.


Steam cleaning vs. low moisture cleaning: which should you choose?

Regular carpet cleaning is essential for a fresh, healthy indoor environment. So when it comes to maintaining the beauty, hygiene, and longevity of your carpets, which method should you choose?


Drum roll, please!


You guessed it – it depends! The answer depends on several factors, including whether the space requires a fast turn-around, the type of carpet material, ambient drying conditions, and how grubby it is. The good news is that Advanced Carpet Cleaning offers tailored solutions, selecting the most effective cleaning method to achieve the best results for your specific needs. Often we’ll choose to utilise both methods at a property, for best results. To request a hassle-free, no obligation quote or book an appointment, call us today at 0800 566 576.

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From funky to fresh: how to get on top of pet odours and stains

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Did you know there are over 4.6 million pets across the country? It’s fair to say New Zealand is a nation of pet lovers – there’s nothing quite like the love and companionship of a pet, and pets are widely embraced as ‘family’. And, increasingly, pets of all kinds are living exclusively indoors – cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, chinchillas, reptiles, and birds. Okay, – and the odd turtle, baby lamb and kune kune. Whether yours are exclusively indoors or old-school indoor/outdoor pets, along with the adoration comes carpet stains and the dreaded odour . Every home with pets has a pet smell – to varying degrees, true, but they all do. The problem is as pet owners, we don’t always notice them. Sniffing out the truth: why you can’t smell your own home The short answer is that we get nose blind – a temporary condition that means we don’t register certain scents. Nose blindness or olfactory fatigue occurs when you are exposed to a smell for a long time and your brain becomes accustomed to it and stops alerting you to it. It’s the brain’s way of stopping you from becoming overstimulated by too much sensory information. While you may not detect it, guests and visitors certainly will and since they’re so nice they’re unlikely to tell you. So, what are you to do? Paws and sniff: why your home smells like your pet As lovable as your pets are, that distinctive smell that greets visitors as they walk in the door is less endearing. There are numerous causes of pet odours, and the most common causes are: · Indoor litter boxes, bird cages, and hutches · Natural oils on fur and skin · Pet dander build-up · Urine and faecal matter · Dirt and other stuff brought in from outside on their fur and footpads · Pet health · Diet · Sweat, saliva and scenting · Pet breath and gas · The number of animals in the house. These elements can combine to create that distinctive pet smell which gets into fabrics, carpet fibres and soft furnishings. Animals frequently rub their faces and bodies along the fronts of sofas and around bed-bases, and if left home alone you can bet they’re up on the couch five seconds after you’ve left! As they roam, sleep, roll around on the floor or rub up against furnishings, the odours from sweat, saliva, scent glands, and natural oils get trapped in carpet and upholstery fibres. They will often smell more intense when the room is hot or is unventilated. 
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