Carpet Cleaner Information

Multipurpose steam cleaners, which look like canister vacuums but don't use suction, are not covered in this article. Rather, these models use steam vapor to clean walls and other surfaces. Some vapor steam cleaners, which actually do clean with steam, can be used to clean small carpets as well as other household items. See the ConsumerSearch report on steam cleaners.

ConsumerReports.org has an excellent buyer's guide to carpet cleaners that describes brand, features and types in detail. They don't recommend or rate particular models, however. Unlike most ConsumerReports.org content, you don't need to be a subscriber in order to access this report.

There's an informative analysis of how carpet extractors work on the Ristenbatt Vacuum Cleaner Service website.

A detailed glossary of vacuum cleaner terms can be found on iVacuumCleaners.com.

The Ezine.com article "Best Carpet Steam Cleaners For Home Use" by Shrinivas Vaidya is a good guide to carpet-cleaning machine features.

HousekeepingChannel.com offers a nice article by the Carpet and Rug Institute called "Go for the Deep Carpet Dirt," with carpet-cleaning tips.

Manufacturers' websites:

Bissell

Dirt Devil

Hoover

Kenmore

Rug Doctor