How effective is this new “hot water extraction” system used by these dry cleaning companies?
A. “Hot water extraction” or HWE is just a technical term for steam cleaning. It is exactly the same thing as steam cleaning. The only difference, if any, is that the dry cleaners’ HWE system is a less effective, low-impact process modified mainly for quicker drying times. Also, after a strong pre-spray is applied in high traffic areas, the same primary natural dry cleaning agent used in the bonnet-buffing process is also used as the final rinsing agent in their HWE process. A typical steam cleaner will rinse with a true or dedicated rinsing solution after the pre-spray, again leaving less residue.
