Difference between wet and dry cleaning
Cleaning a home is an essential procedure aimed at maintaining cleanliness and sterility in living spaces. Both dry and wet cleaning methods can help with this, but the debate over which is better has been ongoing for years. Only by understanding the unique features, benefits, and drawbacks of each can one confidently determine which method is superior.
Features of Wet Cleaning
The benefits of wet cleaning are often highlighted by doctors and cleanliness enthusiasts. To understand why it is so effective, it’s important to look at how dust interacts with water.
Household dust is a mix of tiny particles, both organic and inorganic. It can contain human skin flakes, dust mites, soot, sand, pollen, pet hair, and more. Dry dust is very light and constantly floats in the air. When it comes into contact with water, it gets dampened, becomes heavier, and settles on surfaces as dirt, which is then easier to remove.
Effective cleaning can only be achieved by following these procedures:
- Removing dust from the ceiling (once a month).
- Cleaning all horizontal surfaces.
- Cleaning heating radiators.
- Washing entrance and interior doors.
- Cleaning windowsills and window frames, mirrors, and other glass surfaces.
- Disinfecting the bathroom and toilet.
- Cleaning tiles and stove tops in the kitchen.
- Mopping the floors.
When cleaning soft furniture and carpeted areas, avoid using too much water. A specialized vacuum cleaner is a better option. Chemical cleaners should only be used for removing tough stains.
It’s recommended to perform wet cleaning at least once a week. If there are children, allergy sufferers, or pets in the house, cleaning should be done more often. The same applies to homes near busy roads, where harmful combustion products from gasoline can enter the space along with dust.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Wet Cleaning
The benefits of wet cleaning include:
- Humidifying and purifying the air.
- Removing harmful microorganisms and dust mites.
- Cleaning stains that dry cleaning can’t handle.
- High cleaning efficiency—cleanliness is maintained for several days, so wet cleaning needs to be done less frequently.
However, wet cleaning has its downsides:
- It is time-consuming.
- It raises a lot of dust into the air during the process.
To minimize these drawbacks, wear a mask, use a vacuum cleaner, and dampen the broom with water.
Features of Dry Cleaning
Dry cleaning can be considered an intermediate cleaning method. Even if there are no visible signs of dirt, it’s important to clean the premises 2-3 times a week without using water.
Make it a habit to remove fresh stains as soon as they occur, as it’s easier than dealing with old stains. Maintaining consistent cleanliness is far simpler than dealing with built-up dirt.
In a home without children or pets, there’s no need to mop the floors every day. Additionally, not all surfaces and materials can handle water or harsh cleaning agents. For example, carpets, certain decorative items, and upholstered furniture should not be cleaned with water too often. It’s enough to remove dust and small debris from these surfaces using a vacuum cleaner.
Dry cleaning includes the following steps:
- Removing dust from horizontal surfaces and furniture.
- Cleaning the floor (with a broom or vacuum cleaner).
- Cleaning dirt from carpets and rugs.
All you need for dry cleaning is a microfiber cloth (or cotton fabric), a dusting brush, a broom, and a vacuum cleaner.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Dry Cleaning
The dry method is considered an intermediate solution and can’t completely replace wet cleaning.
Still, it does have its advantages:
- It allows for quick tidying up.
- It preserves furniture and surfaces that are sensitive to water exposure.
- It doesn’t require significant financial investment.
However, dry cleaning has its drawbacks:
- The dust floating in the air doesn’t disappear.
- Some stains can’t be removed without water.
- Cleaning needs to be done more frequently as dust settles back on surfaces after each cleaning.
With dry cleaning, cleaning needs to be done 2-3 times a week. Additionally, a wet cleaning session is still necessary in the bathroom.
Which Method to Choose?
Supporters of both methods often argue about which one is superior. Some emphasize the preservation of delicate materials, claiming modern cleaning tools do a great job collecting dust. Others argue that the air in the room needs to be humidified, and cleaning dirt is more effective when done with water.
In reality, these two methods are not interchangeable; they complement each other. Only in combination can dry and wet cleaning ensure an ideal level of cleanliness and create a favorable indoor climate.
It’s also important to consider the living conditions and needs of each specific family:
- In a home with a baby, wet cleaning should be done daily, with intervals gradually increasing as the child grows. Eventually, cleaning should be done 1-2 times a week.
- Pet owners, especially those with furry animals, will need to clean more frequently. Shed hair quickly clings to carpets, upholstered furniture, and mixes with dust, becoming a source of allergens. It should be collected about every other day using a vacuum cleaner or a damp cloth.
- More frequent cleaning is also required in homes near busy roads.
In general, performing one wet cleaning session with floor washing per week, along with 1-2 dry cleanings in between, is usually sufficient.