A Quick and Complete Guide to Carpet Cleaners

Carpet cleaners, as the name implies, are used to remove dirt and stain from carpets, upholstery, and the interior of automobiles. These devices are also known as carpet extractors or carpet shampooers. Carpet cleaners are used both for commercial cleaning applications and domestic cleaning purposes.

How They Work

Before using carpet cleaners, one has pre-spray the carpet with a cleaning solution. Green cleaning products are best. Then the user must wait for 10 to 15 minutes to allow the solution to dissolve into the carpet fibers. Next the operator uses the carpet cleaning equipment to inject water and additional solution, if desired, into the carpet. After agitating with the carpet wand, the carpet cleaner extracts out all debris-laden water and solution. The result is a thoroughly clean carpet.

The output pressure and temperature of the carpet cleaning machines can be adjusted. The most advanced models offer pressure levels up to 500 psi for the most powerful carpet cleaning capabilities.

Temperature also plays a major role in carpet cleaning equipment’s abilities. On heated machines, temperature can be increased up to 210°F to more readily dissolve and remove stubborn stains. Unheated models can accept inlet temperatures up to 210°F, but do not produce these temperatures on their own. The use of heated water in carpet cleaning increases the cleaning power, yet it can be detrimental to delicate carpet fibers. It is best to be aware of the heat sensitivity of the carpet prior to cleaning.

Main Components

The main components of carpet cleaners are a pump, a vacuum, a heating unit (if applicable), a wand, and two tanks. The capacity and efficiency of the pump determines the level of output pressure. The heating unit, found on all heated models, is designed to supply heat energy to increase the temperature of the output.

The vacuum is, perhaps, the most essential component. This part extracts out the debris, dirt, and stains, along with the water and solution used in carpet cleaning. This component is an integral part in thoroughly cleaning your carpets.

The latest models of carpet cleaners contain two tanks – one is for storing water and the other is for depositing the absorbed dirt residue. Advanced models also contain a solution tank, for injecting solution with water into the carpet for more effective cleaning. These devices also contain a long wand by which one can inject water on to the carpet and agitate the surface. Sophisticated carpet cleaners contain optional wands for cleaning upholstery, stairs, and hard surfaces.

Main Features

Many people are perplexed by the marketing jargon dished out by some suppliers of carpet cleaners. You can read about various processes such as steam carpet cleaning and hot carpet upholstery cleaning. It is common knowledge that the use of extremely high temperature levels may lead to damage some types of carpets and upholstery. Therefore, the implications of using steam and high temperature output on carpets and upholstery can be misleading. To avoid this problem, look into the heat sensitivity of the types of carpet and upholstery you are looking to clean.

One of the main features of carpet cleaners is drying time. Since these devices apply water and cleaning solutions to carpets and upholstery, the surfaces will take time to dry out. The efficiency of a cleaning machine lies in reducing the drying time.

Recent technological advances have ensured that the drying time, when using latest models of carpet cleaners, can be as low as one hour. This drying time depends on the amount of water injected to the surface, the extraction power of the machine, and the temperature of the water used.

How can One Ensure Faster Drying?

The best way to ensure faster drying is to use carpet cleaners equipped with low flow technology. This technology limits the quantity of water injected to the surface without affecting its pressure levels and output power. This effectively reduces drying times to as low as one hour, without affecting the cleaning power of the machine. In many cases, heated models feature faster drying times than non-heated.

Carpet cleaners having low flow technology are extremely important for professional cleaning agencies and certain cleaning applications such as auto detailing. When selecting the right carpet cleaning equipment for your carpet cleaning needs, consider high-quality carpet cleaners from reputable suppliers. Only then will you have the option to choose among heated systems, advanced low flow technologies, and rapid drying times.