Also to add what the others have said- take your shoes off as you come in- this is really true of any kind of floor.
Also, you can find rental companies that rent the machines. They’re not too hard to use, they don’t have to be “big” but you really need to be able to work soap in - and suck it back out. (Look for tool rental companies- the one by us also rents out everything from jackhammers to dethatchers to skid steers.)
the not-comercial extractors don't have the same kind of extraction power that the commercial machines do. They're great for mitigating high traffic areas... but eventually you'll want to rent a commercial system. (1-3 times a year,). the commercial extractors will make a huge difference for deep cleans. especially on thick-pile carpets.
The pack-vacuum-like commercial extractors start at around 1500.
Interesting, which commercial machines are you referring to?
I did a little research when I bought mine, I think mostly vacuum wars testing, and I think they found similar results, with the commercial systems just having larger tanks. That said, I don't expect their tests are super scientific or anything so I'm legitimately curious.
My carpets aren't thick at all though, and most of what I'm cleaning is exclusively surface level anyway.
We used tenant co for our machines, looking at it their website, the ex-sc1020
Any of the medium-size commercial machines are going work better though. Nobody would pay the 2-5k for a medium sized extractor if it was simply tank size. And that’s really the entry level machines.
Also? Another benefit is not having to store it. I’m… not saying the retail things don’t have their benefits, but they’re not really deep-cleaning like a professional service or comercial rental will.
Thanks, I'd never heard of carpet cleaner machines before this thread, so I'm glad I asked. How often should I use it? My household is all adults, no pets, we wear house slippers.
Depends?
Deep cleanings are usually done as needed- typically 1-2 times a year. (Commercially, carpeting is done every few months in high traffic, 6 months in low traffic,)
IMO very rarely. You'd use it if something had majorly soiled the carpet that's bigger than a spot clean or if you are freshening up, such as an exit or spring clean.
It's a time consuming process, as you aren't scrubbing the carpet - just spraying in soap and sucking it back out several times until the soap / water comes out clean.
Oh it definitely is. Also consider having to work in a humid room as you'll be working with a wet carpet too. Not gonna be fun on a hot day unless you have ventilation and air-conditioning.