Those of us who have carpets in our homes understand how difficult and frustrating it is to try to keep them clean. It seems that the moment we clean them or put in a new carpet it is being bombarded by food stains, drink stains, dirt, and dust. All of this wear and tear over the years will mat the carpet down and make it look dingy and older then it is. When this happens it forces us to purchase new carpets.
Purchasing brand new carpets is not cheap and could cost thousands of dollars. The best way to prevent this is to purchase a carpet steam cleaner. They look like vacuum cleaners – but work very differently. They use hot water and a special cleaning solution to clean not only the surface of the carpet but deep down underneath where most of the dirt is hiding. It also helps to raise up the fibers to keep it from looking matted down.
Features
You cannot just purchase any type of carpet steam cleaner. It is important that you find one that has all of the right features that will actually clean the carpets and remove those unwanted stains. One of the most important features you want to look for are rotating brushes. These will lift up the dirt and small stains from the carpet. It is best to get one with six of these brushes – but four will work also. There is a considerable price difference between the two.
There are two common types of carpet steam cleaners; uprights and canisters. You will want the upright when you have large areas that you have to clean. They are heavy to push around – but they will cover a large area in a short amount of time. The canisters are best to use if you have one or two rooms with carpet or need to clean your furniture and the inside of your car.
If you can afford it try to purchase one that has a variety of attachments for you to use. Some will have tools that you can use to clean your car, upholstery, or your stairs. If they do not come with all of these you might be able to purchase them separately for the model that you want.
The older models of carpet steam cleaners required that you pour hot water into the tank before using it. Although the newer models are more expensive most now have the option to heat the water for you. This prevents it from becoming cold and makes cleaning more efficient.