Choosing The Right Carpet Cleaner For Your Home

Posted on 16/09/2020

Things to Consider When Choosing a Carpet Cleaner

 

It could be that you’re a new homeowner, or maybe you’re not used to carpet upkeep. Perhaps you have pets, children or you’re just struggling to keep your carpets clean. No matter what the situation, if you’re tired of your carpets looking dull and dirty, it’s probably time to start looking into purchasing a carpet cleaner.

With hundreds available ranging from budget and value mini-cleaners to top-of-the-range machines, it’s important to identify your cleaning needs before forking out for equipment you might not even need. Here are some things to consider when choosing the right carpet cleaner for your home.

1) Family home or studio apartment?
When choosing a carpet cleaner it’s important to consider the size of the area you want to be cleaned. If you’re just looking to spruce up some tired-looking rugs or maybe just to clean the stairs, you’re probably best off purchasing a smaller and more portable carpet cleaner. Try to find one within your price range that uses a canister as opposed to an upright tank. This will make for easier and speedier cleaning of small areas and soft furnishings. Smaller carpet cleaners will also work well to clean car interiors.

If you’re looking to deep-cleanse a family home then you’re probably best off looking for a carpet cleaner that utilises an upright tank. Though bulkier and heavier, an upright carpet cleaner will cover a larger surface area much faster than a canister cleaner. It’s also more likely to provide a deeper, more penetrating clean, much better for busy mums! For larger bedrooms and living rooms, an upright carpet cleaner is definitely one to consider. Though definitely pricier than a canister cleaner, an upright will dramatically cut down on your cleaning time.

2) Making the most of your carpet cleaner.
When it comes to cleaning equipment, versatility is paramount. A carpet cleaner, depending on price, will usually include three to seven attachments. Try to select a model that comes with as many different attachments, heads and nozzles as is possible within your price range. Each will be designed for a specific purpose (such as stair attachments for easier stair-cleaning or rotating brushes which work to lift dirt from the carpet) so it’s worth looking into what your home requires versus what attachments are available. Remember to look into what extras can be purchased alongside your carpet cleaner. It could be that none of the included nozzles are of any use, but that you can purchase something such as a bare-floor cleaning attachment for an extra cost.

3) Personal preference.
There are many subtle differences between carpet cleaners that, in some cases, provide a dramatic change in price. You may prefer to purchase a cleaner that has two tanks – one for water and one for the cleaning product. This is certainly more efficient as it keeps the dirty water and the cleanser separate, allowing for a deeper and richer clean. However, this does come at a dramatic price increase, so make sure you ask yourself – is it worth it?

Another feature to consider is the need for an in-built water heater. Many carpet cleaners will heat cold water, which is much more efficient than adding hot water yourself. Yet again this is a feature that can increase the cost of the machine, so question how much you want – and need – a feature like that.