Carpet Cleaning Questions Answered: Why Do My Carpets Feel “Crunchy” After Cleaning?

You love your carpet because it is soft to the touch, providing a comfortable surface on which bare feet can feel right at home. This is why it comes as such a shock to many homeowners when they realize their carpet has taken on a “crunchy” feel. When you first fell in love with your carpet, it was plush and springy, dealing with that crunch can seem like a nightmare - especially when it is caused by carpet cleaning, something that is essential to caring for your carpet.

That’s right, cleaning is the main culprit for a crunchy carpet. However, we’re not talking about all carpet cleaning methods here. There is of course a way to clean your carpet that does not result in a crunchy feel or sticky residue. Unfortunately, may homeowners overlook the right way to care for their carpet and instead reach for the very substances and machines that are going to make their carpets feel and look worse than ever.

Carpet Cleaning Techniques that Result in the Dreaded Carpet “Crunch”

You may be surprised to hear that soap is the enemy of your carpet, but this is indeed the case. When your carpet is cleaned with soap and detergents, it is almost certain that a sticky residue will be left behind. 

This is because soap is so difficult to rinse out of carpet. You can think of it much like washing your hair. After you lather up the shampoo, it’s important to rinse it completely. Otherwise, your hair won’t feel or look clean.

Steam cleaning can contribute to this situation. This process often leaves soapy water in the backing of the carpet and only extracts soap and dirt from the surface. 

When soap residue remains in your carpet, it can dry to a crunchy texture. It can also attract dust and grime, making your carpet dirtier faster. This creates a cycle of cleaning and drying that is not only damaging to your carpet’s delicate fibers, but all in all unproductive if your goal is to enjoy a clean, soft, and residue-free carpet. 

The Answer to a Clean Carpet Without the Crunch

At Chem-Dry, we knew there had to be a better approach to carpet cleaning. Because of the makeup of carpets, they simply can’t be washed in the same way you might wash your hair or a stained T-shirt. A more innovative method is necessary to get rid of the dirt and grime without using soaps that lather and can’t be fully rinsed away.

Our Hot Carbonating Extraction (HCE) process is the answer. Because this process does not rely on soap-based cleansers or detergents, there’s no risk of a residue being left behind or a crunchy texture developing after the carpet is dry. 

Instead, we utilize what we call The Natural^®, a soap-free cleaning solution based on ingredients from Mother Nature. As part of HCE, this solution is carbonated, causing millions of tiny bubbles to lift up dirt deep within the carpet and catapult it to the surface. It is then ready to be whisked away by our extraction equipment. 

Since no soap is used in HCE, there’s much less need for water for rinsing. As a result, we are able to use a fraction of the water of other carpet cleaning methods, such as steam cleaning. You’ll be free to enjoy a clean, dry carpet within hours - and won’t have to deal with that dreaded crunchy feeling.

Leave the crunch behind in favor of a clean, plush carpet. Call Chem-Dry today at (800) CHEM-DRY to set up a professional carpet cleaning appointment with one of our local technicians.