Regular use of carpet cleaners is an excellent way to extend the life of your carpet. Buying one will be more convenient than renting, especially if you have a lot of carpeted areas, and could be more cost-effective in the longer term. Some models are also suitable for cleaning upholstery and curtains and will come with a range of tools for these jobs. Others can also be used for cleaning hard floors as well, making them very versatile. There are four basic types to choose from, three of which are “dry” and one “wet”:
Dry Cleaning Method
This is not really “dry” as it uses a combination of chemicals and water which is applied to the carpet. A soft “bonnet” (a type of cloth) is then rotated over the carpets’ surface to loosen dirt, which is then sucked up by the machine. This method does not clean deep within the carpet’s fibres but may be effective as part of a regular maintenance program.
Dry Foam Method
As its name suggests uses a special shampoo which is applied and left to dry before being vacuumed off. This may be a useful way of brightening up lightly soiled carpets.
Dry Compound Method
This uses a water treatment applied to the heavily soiled areas. The compound is then sprinkled onto the carpet and is brushed in. The compound works by absorbing the dirt and grime which is then it is vacuumed away. This method is considered to be the most effective of the “dry” types.
Hot Water Extraction
(Also called “Deep Cleaning”) These machines work by forcing hot water deep into the fibres of the carpet. Sometimes the hot water is combined with a treatment agent to increase the cleaning power. The combination of force and the heat of the water will loosen ground-in dirt which is then sucked away by the vacuuming action of the machine. This is usually a continuous action with the dirty water emptying in to a separate tank. These types of machines can be the largest as they will have two tanks; one for clean and one for dirty water and need to be large enough to not need emptying/refilling too often. This type of cleaning is recommended by most carpet manufacturers as it the only really effective method of removing ingrained dirt and killing bacteria.
GENERAL
Which ever of the above types you choose make sure that the machine is comfortable to handle, especially if you will be using it regularly. Check the weight to make sure it will be easy for you to move. See that you will have all the extra tools that you might need included with it. If you want to use it to clean hard floors as well, make sure that the model is suitable for this. Ask about the cleaning agents/chemicals that you might need so that you can include this cost in your budgeting. If you are buying the hot water extraction type, look at the size of the water tanks; see that they are large enough for your needs. Check the hose and attachment lengths, these can vary a great deal; choose one that is right for the size of your rooms.
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