Steam vs Dry Carpet Cleaning: What Fort Lauderdale Homes Should Know

What is steam carpet cleaning?

Shaw's carpet cleaning page describes hot water extraction and says "This system is commonly referred to as 'steam cleaning,' although no steam is actually generated." A cleaning agent goes into the carpet pile, then the extractor uses water to pull the used solution back out along with the soil.

The Carpet and Rug Institute's residential cleaning standard, CRI 205, names hot water extraction as the most common professional system used in homes.

Which one does a carpet warranty ask for?

The warranties we read name hot water extraction. Karastan's, published by Mohawk, says "The manufacturer requires professional hot water extraction every 18 months." It wants proof of each cleaning too, "in the form of a bill, invoice or statement" from the cleaning service.

Shaw's warranties ask for proof of periodic hot water extraction by a professional service or a do-it-yourself system, using equipment in the Carpet and Rug Institute's Seal of Approval program. CRI 205 adds that "Failure to abide by carpet manufacturer maintenance guidelines may void your warranty." Each brand sets its own rules, so read the booklet that came with yours and keep every dated invoice. Our page on how often to clean carpet in South Florida covers the schedule.

I spilled red wine on the carpet. What do I do first?

Blot it, and soon. The CRI's spot guide for wine says to "Blot liquids with a dry, white absorbent cloth or white paper towels." Plain white matters, because CRI 205 warns that a printed or colored towel can transfer ink or dye onto damp carpet. Don't scrub or brush either. The standard says bristles and scrubbing can fray the fibers and change the texture.

If you try a solution, test it on a hidden corner first and work it in from the edges of the spill toward the center so it doesn't spread. The CRI's detergent mix is a quarter teaspoon of liquid dish detergent in a cup of lukewarm water. It rules out detergent made for washing clothes, which may contain optical brighteners that dye the fiber. Once the spot is gone, rinse with cold water and blot with a dry cloth until no moisture is left.

Stop if it isn't moving. CRI 205 notes that stacking several products without rinsing between them "can set a stain and make it permanent." Tell us what you already put on it when you call, since that changes how the spot gets treated. Some wine stains don't come out completely, and the technician tells you where yours stands after looking at it.

Related pages

Carpet cleaning in Fort Lauderdale · Upholstery cleaning · Couch cleaning questions: microfiber, velvet and water rings · Carpet cleaning in Hollywood

Where this comes from: Shaw Floors' carpet cleaning care page; the Carpet and Rug Institute's CRI 205 residential cleaning standard, its wine spot guide and its article on low-moisture encapsulation; Karastan's carpet warranty, published by Mohawk; all read 2026-10-29. Pro Steamers Florida method, hours and the special: the company's own statements. Reviews: Google, read 2026-10-07.