Finding the Best Carpet Shampooer

By: Gene Rodriguez, III

The best carpet shampooer can repay your investment several times over given the lifespan of your carpet. Keeping your carpet clean (experts recommend cleaning at least once a year) will also extend the life of your investment-saving you even more money.

How Much Will Your Carpet Shampooer Clean?

One of the big differences between commercial and home carpet shampooers is capacity. By design, commercial units are capable of cleaning thousands of square feet of carpet in a short amount of time. Home carpet shampooers sacrifice capability to create a smaller, cheaper unit. You should still look for the biggest capacity carpet shampooer you can afford-a large capacity unit will need to be emptied and refilled less often. Other capacity features to consider:

  • Brush width - a wider brush width means fewer passes across the carpet. A quicker cleaning will take less time and put less stress on your carpet shampooer.
  • Number of cleaning bristles - The more cleaning bristles available, the deeper your carpet will be cleaned.
  • Tank capacity - most carpet shampooers have two tanks: one for clean water and one for wastewater. Larger tank capacity will mean fewer trips to empty and refill your unit with water. On the downside, large capacity tanks will add to the overall weight of the carpet shampooer.

Other Features To Consider

  • Attachments - like any small appliance, extra attachments can add to the functionality of your carpet shampooer. Edge cleaners and extension wands are just two examples of available attachments.
  • Weight - a lightweight carpet cleaner can make hauling your machine up and down stairs much easier. If you'll be cleaning carpets on several levels of your house, this is a serious consideration.
  • Water heater - although your carpet shampooer will start with hot tap water, an auxiliary heater can make sure that the water stays at the proper temperature for effective cleaning.

Carpet Shampooer Options

  • Handheld - sporting the same type of carpet shampooing ability as their larger cousins, handheld carpet shampooers provide the ultimate in flexibility and ease of use. Perfect for spot cleaning and quick spills, a handheld unit could be the perfect choice for those with children or pets.
  • Rental - if you'd rather not commit to owning your own carpet shampooer, many home centers and grocery stores rent carpet cleaners for a reasonable daily rate.
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