Steam cleaning, more accurately called hot water extraction, forces heated water and cleaning solution deep into the carpet fibres before extracting it back out along with the loosened dirt. It's thorough, and it's the method most carpet manufacturers actually recommend for a genuine deep clean.
Dry cleaning uses minimal moisture, typically a cleaning compound or low-moisture foam that's worked into the carpet and then vacuumed out. It dries almost immediately, which makes it useful for spaces that can't be closed off for several hours, like a busy office or a retail floor.
For most homes, steam cleaning wins on results, it lifts more embedded dirt and treats stains and odours more effectively. Dry cleaning earns its place where fast turnaround matters more than the deepest possible clean. If you're not sure which fits your situation, it's worth asking what the space needs to be usable again, and how deep the build-up actually is.
