Carpet Cleaners: What To Look For

How carpet cleaners work

Even though they're often called steam cleaners or steam vacuums, there's actually no steam involved in the cleaning. Many models include a built-in heater, but this mostly serves to prevent hot tap water from cooling during use. More accurate names for these machines are carpet cleaners, deep cleaners or carpet extractors. They spray a hot-water/detergent solution onto the carpet, agitate the carpet fibers with powered brushes and then extract the solution and dirt with suction.

On consumer opinion sites, we found that even the carpet cleaners that scored the highest are often prone to problems -- especially the portable, handheld models. Leaking is the most common complaint, as are poor cleaning performance, carpets left too damp and durability issues. Keep this in mind before you buy one of these machines; instead, consider renting a more powerful carpet deep cleaner for a day or hiring a professional carpet cleaning service. A word to the wise about hiring professional carpet cleaners: We found a number of complaints from consumers about misleading price information in carpet-cleaning advertisements. Many services charge extra for cleaning supplies, for doing stairs and even for labor. Be sure to ask lots of questions and get a detailed quote before hiring a professional.

Once you've decided to buy a carpet cleaner, the most important choice is between an upright and a portable, canister-style carpet cleaner.

• Consider specialty tools and attachments. Most uprights have attachments for cleaning upholstery, bare floors or tough stains. Think about your cleaning needs when shopping for a carpet cleaner. If you need to clean more than just floors, an upright with attachments is your best bet.

• Look for a long cord and hose. Cord lengths vary greatly, ranging from 15 feet in smaller, portable models to 30 feet in larger uprights. Think about the size of the spaces you'll be cleaning and the size of the cords on the models you're considering. Hose lengths vary less, from about 5 to 8 feet.

• Consider the price of cleaning agents. Most manufacturers recommend using their brand of cleaner for optimum performance, but they are usually expensive. While some users say alternatives like OxyClean make good substitutes, keep in mind that using a cleaner other than what the manufacturer recommends may void your warranty. If you don't feel comfortable with an off-brand, make sure to work the cost of cleaners into your budget when buying a carpet cleaner.

• Portable carpet cleaners are easier to use on stairs and upholstery. They are also lighter, easier to maneuver and can fit in smaller spaces than uprights.

• Model names don't necessarily reflect features. Neither the Hoover SteamVac nor the Dirt Devil Easy Steamer produces steam, though the Hoover does have a built-in heater. The Bissell QuickSteamer PowerBrush doesn't steam, either, and the brush is "powered" by the user pushing the carpet cleaner, not by a motor.