Types of Carpet Cleaners
Depending on their size and power, carpet cleaners come in many options. Different carpet cleaners can be used on different surfaces like rugs, bare floors, carpets and upholstery. In this carpet cleaners buying guide, we’ll go over the different types, explaining their features in detail.
Upright Carpet Cleaners
Upright carpet cleaners are very useful to lift dirt and stains that the vacuum leaves behind. Upright carpet cleaners look very similar to large vacuum cleaners. These carpet cleaners offer deep cleansing and some even come with two chambers or tanks. One chamber contains clean water and formula while the other holds dirty water after it’s sucked back up. These separate tanks ensure that you never get dirty water back on the carpet.
These are ideal for cleaning high traffic areas and large spaces. These lightweight carpet cleaners are easy to clean as well since you can easily remove the dirty water tank and nozzle.
Most of the stairs carpet cleaners come with attachments to clean hard-to-reach areas. For stains or messes on stairs or couches, these carpet cleaners have long hoses which allow for increased reach and reduced strain.
These are especially useful if you have pets since they remove embedded dirt and allergens, keeping your carpets clean.
Handheld Carpet Cleaners
Portable carpet cleaners are small in size, easy to use and budget-friendly. If your home consists of small areas covered in carpets or rugs, this small carpet cleaner might be ideal. They are equipped with a short hose and a small water tank. Handheld carpet cleaners are the best choice for portability. You can use them to clean the upholstery of your car seats and for washing carpets on staircases.
Spot cleaners are another type of handheld carpet cleaner. These are the smallest carpet cleaners and are used to spot clean smaller areas, such as spills and stains. However, these cleaners aren’t as powerful as upright cleaners and are generally best suited for smaller cleaning jobs.
The best carpet cleaners have more rows of brushes and a strong suction for better cleaning. These can thoroughly clean the deep pockets of the carpets.
Using Your New Carpet Cleaner
There are a few steps to keep in mind while operating your new carpet cleaner. They will make your process of cleaning much easier.
Vacuuming Carpets Before Washing
This lifts dirt from deep within the carpet fibers, making it easy to remove with washing. Pre-vacuuming the carpet gets rid of loose dirt and pet hair that might clog your carpet cleaner.
Pre-Treat Any Stubborn Spots
Apply a carpet cleaner solution on the stain at least 5 to 10 minutes prior to washing. This helps loosen up the stain particles.
Clean Slowly
Move the carpet cleaner over the carpet slowly for better cleaning. Make even and controlled movements to lift more dirt from the surface. Focus on stained areas for optimal stain removal and allow the carpet cleaner time to work on the spills.
Remember to Empty the Tank
While cleaning, ensure that the dirty tank has not reached its total capacity. A good rule of thumb is to empty it once it reaches ¾ of its capacity. A full tank can potentially damage your equipment if it overflows.
Wash With Clear Water
Refill the tank with clean water and continue using the machine on your carpet. It’s recommended to fill the tank with hot water to dissolve dirt and grime more effectively for a deeper clean.
Dry the Carpet
Next, make sure that you give the carpet time to air dry. Switch on fans to help dry the carpet quickly.
Considerations to Keep in Mind When Buying a Carpet Cleaner
You can keep the following points in mind when choosing a carpet cleaner:
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Ease of use: Upright carpet cleaners are comparatively heavy. They are best suited to clean large areas. Handheld carpet cleaners are good for smaller cleaning purposes.
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Consider storage options:
While upright carpet cleaners have higher cleaning power, they require a large storage space. Handheld carpet cleaners need less storage space. They can be easily stored in a shelf or closet. Wall-mountable carpet cleaners are also convenient to store.
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Specific features:
If you have a specific purpose for buying a carpet cleaner, like for cleaning pet hair, allergens etc, opt for one specializing in that field. You should also take into account the power of the carpet cleaner that will be needed.