The carpet cleaning machines are an important tool for deeply cleaning wall-to-wall carpeting and large area rugs. Using specific chemical solutions with hot water, they scrub deeply into the carpeting fibers removing stains and odors. After the cleaning is done, the carpet will feel as soft as the day you bought the carpet.
But picking a carpet cleaner can be overwhelming with all the different types and brands available. So that is why we created this guide to help you narrow down your search and find a model that will work for your specific type of carpet and your cleaning needs. Read On!
Carpet Cleaning Tips
- Always pay attention to the User's Manual first! It will solve all of your questions;
- Firstly prepare your carpet or rug. Vacuum the rug on both sides to remove any loosened dirt or vacuum your wall-to-wall carpeting;
- Do not apply hot water steam cleaners on unglazed tiles; they will crack;
- Do not utilize these cleaners on latex or water base coated floors. The paint will come off due to high-temperature heat;
- Never leave dirty water in the tank; mold might start developing. Yuck;
- Don't be scared to tell all of your visitors to wipe their feet or remove their shoes.
What Things Should You Consider Before Buying A Carpet Cleaner?
Weight
Some models can be pretty heavy and bulky. If you don't have a lot of storage space or have lots of stairs, then you should mainly look for a lightweight and compact carpet cleaner. The average carpet cleaning machine will weigh around 14kg, and the lightest models should weigh about 6 kg.
Reach
A long reach will save you from frequently plugging the unit into different power points around your house. Hoses can reach around 3 meters, while the cord could reach 5-10 meters. Think of your cleaning surface and space to pick the most suitable reach.
Water Tank Capacity
The bigger water tanks are a bit heavier; however, you will not be required to constantly refill the tank.
For example, if your home has like three rooms, then water tank capacity in the range of ¾ gallon to 1 gallon will serve every room cleaning demand without refilling.
Power
A carpet cleaning machine must be able to have sufficient power for the motor to draw out dirt fast and efficiently. Large models equipped with a bigger engine will usually offer greater suction power.
Warranty
A lot of people surprisingly overlook this factor; however, its importance is two-fold. First, the warranty covers the whole cost of a repair if the carpet cleaning machine breakdowns. Second, it indicates how confident the manufacturer is in the carpet cleaner's reliability. When you're reviewing a model's list of features, be sure to see how long the warranty is. Pick a carpet cleaner that has a warranty coverage from 2 to 5 years.
What Is the Price Range of the Carpet Cleaner?
The carpet cleaner's price depends on various things, like how big it is, how strong it is, and how many accessories are included. The price for the carpet cleaner will range from $100 and up to $600 for the most expensive ones.
You can get a basic model for around $100, while a cleaner that's equipped with all the attachments you could want can cost between $200-$400. And the top-tier carpet cleaners will cost you over $500, which is a lot. So pick the carpet cleaner wisely, depending on your budget!
How Did We Pick The Carpet Cleaners?
The process of testing has two stages, the first one is online researching, and the second is live testing. Firstly we started with in-depth research on finding the best carpet cleaners on the market. When researching, we have put into consideration the brand, customer reviews, price ranges, quality, pros, and cons. Once we had our top picks, we then proceeded with the live testing of each product.
When testing carpet cleaners, we lay out a pre-measured quantity of dirt on the carpet, hard floor, and upholstery. We throw the dirt into the floor and leave it to sit overnight. We then use each carpet cleaner machine several times to see how well it cleans the dirty area.
What Are Some Special Features of the Carpet Cleaner?
Attachments
The most important features are the attachments, be sure to get a carpet cleaner that includes the most attachments. The most common attachments will let you clean upholstery, stairs, bare floors, and tight places between furniture.
Tank Indicator Light
Another pretty handy feature that most of the premium carpet cleaners have is the tank indicator light. This light will alert you once the clean-solution tank needs refilling or the dirty-solution tank needs emptying.
In-built Water Heater
This is a feature that some manufacturers are starting to add up in the most recent carpet cleaners. It heats up the water automatically, removing the necessity to add hot water to the tank.
Separate Soap Dispenser
This will automatically dispense the correct amount of detergent with water. And it also shuts off to allow washing with fresh water.
Moving Brush
The moving brush can give a more aggressive scrub by only pushing the machine. They come in various forms, including round heads, interlocking spinners, and rotating cylinder bars.
Conclusion
We hope that this buying guide will help you in your decision of picking the most suitable carpet cleaning machines for your home. You should first consider what and where you want to clean in order to start searching for the right carpet cleaner. Then review all of our top picks and see which one fits you the best. Happy shopping!
Carpet Cleaner FAQ
Q:Should you open a window after carpet cleaning?
A: If the room has windows, then opening them all will definitely speed up the drying time. It can also be pretty helpful for removing the smell from the detergents used, which may have a very strong smell at first.
Q: How often should you clean your carpet?
A: How often you clean your carpet really depends on the movement at your home. If you have kids, pets, and many visitors, you need to clean your carpets every month, but if you don't, then clean your carpet every three months.
Q: Will the carpet cleaner remove all the stains?
A: The deodorizer in your carpet cleaner will deal with most of the stains, but it really depends on the type of stain. Some deep stains may be permanent, and therefore you won't be able to remove them entirely.