It may sound counter intuitive that cleaning a carpet shouldn't involve soap but it's for a good reason. Soap attracts dirt, so even when only a tiny amount is used, the carpet will get dirtier faster. This residue in the carpet can be very difficult/next to impossible to remove (depending how much was used/spilled), even when utilizing professional equipment so it's best to use a soap-free spotter. We use soap-free detergents that are specifically designed for carpet cleaning to break down dirt and soil without leaving behind residue.