We've all seen them. Those rental carpet shampoo machines at the grocery store, waiting for us to take them home and clean our rugs. You may have thought about renting one yourself! Some people rent them for cleaning before the holidays, others when moving in or out of a home, and some people just rent them to clean up a nasty spill. But did you know that given the average rental cost of one of those machines, if you rent a machine just three times you could have already purchased your own? It's true! But should you really purchase a carpet shampoo machine?
What kind of features should you look for? This article will give you answers to these questions, to help you find the right carpet shampoo machine for you! First, you should know that most carpet cleaners are upright models. They all use water and shampoo, often heated, to clean the dirt from your carpet. But there are some big differences that you need to know between different models. What kind of flooring do you have in your home? If your house has wood or tile flooring, you may want to look for carpet shampoo machines that will clean hardwood and tile floors. Do you want to clean upholstery, like couches, chairs, or even drapes? Look for detachable wands or hoses that will allow you to do so.
Does it matter how long it takes for the carpet to dry? Look for a model with a built-in heating element, to help speed things up. You can also look at the width of the carpet cleaner (the wider the brush head, the faster you'll finish each room), the length of the cord, and the weight of the machine depending on who will be using it most. If you have pets, you may want to look into a model that also contains a vacuum cleaner. Having the built in vacuum will save you hours of potential preparation time by cleaning pet dander and hair from the carpet at the same time as the shampooing. Spot cleaning machines are often an overlooked option, although depending on your use it may be the best option for you. If you'll often be cleaning smaller areas or stairs, don't want to cart around a bulky machine, and don't mind letting the carpet dry for a little bit longer, a spot shampooer may just be the right solution for you!
