Carpet cleaners, deep cleaners or carpet extractors are all the rage for homeowners today. When purchasing carpet cleaning equipment there are several issues to consider.

There is some confusion when it comes to carpet cleaners. Even though they may be called steam cleaners, the carpet cleaning equipment doesn’t actually clean with steam. Most machines have onboard tanks that are filled with hot tap water. Some carpet cleaning machines may actually have a heating element on the machine to help keep the water hot, but many do not. The carpet cleaning machine sprays hot water and the detergent solution onto the carpet. The brushes scrub and agitate the carpet fibers working the dirt up to the surface. The suction extracts the solution and dirt from the carpet. The dirty water is collected in one of the tanks onboard the carpet cleaning machine. Simply dump the tank. You will have to refill the clean water tank and solution as needed.

• Specialty tools and attachments. Most upright cleaners have attachments that come with the machine for specialty cleaning. Two common attachments are the upholstery attachment and the bare floor attachments. Some machines also come with special scrubbing tools for tough stains.

• It may seem like common sense, but cord length is very important when choosing your carpet cleaning equipment. Upright cleaner cord length ranges from 15 feet to 30 feet. Consider how large or small the space is that you need to clean. Upright cleaners typically come with longer cords whereas the portable cleaning machines come with shorter cords—anywhere from 5 feet to 8 feet.

• Portable carpet cleaners are much easier to use if you need to clean stairs or upholstery. These cleaners tend to be lighter in weight and easier to fit in small spaces. Their suction isn’t always as strong as some of the larger, upright models.

• Cleaning solutions will also add to the cost of cleaning your carpet. Most carpet cleaning equipment will recommend using their brand of cleaning solution for best results. Off brands can work just as well, but keep in mind that many cleaners will void the warranty if you don’t use their recommended brand of cleaners.

Even the best reviewed carpet cleaning machines are prone to problems. Leaking tanks was the most common complaint followed by poor suction and cheaply made plastic attachments. Poor suction has left many carpets very wet taking hours to dry.

Consumer Reports does advertising-free reviews of products.   Another great place to look for product reviews is on Amazon.com, Target.com and Sears.com.  Actual customer reviews of particular makes and models can be invaluable information for the

consumer.

So you’ve done your research on carpet cleaning equipment.  What now?  Do I buy, rent or hire a professional?   You may want to rent a powerful carpet cleaner before investing in a cleaner for your home.  Renting will allow you to try out the equipment and see if it does a good job.  Other things to consider before buying:   Do you have the time to do the cleaning yourself?  Do you have the space to store carpet cleaning equipment?  Do you have the physical ability to lift and move the equipment?  Many carpet cleaners weigh between 20 and 30 lbs.

Hiring a professional may seem like a logical solution, but beware of advertising gimmicks that can easily add hundreds of dollars to your bill.  There are many complaints about carpet cleaning companies advertising misleading prices.  They may offer to clean your whole house or certain number of rooms for a set price.  Once at your house, the surcharges start adding up.  Some common surcharges:

*steps are usually charged per step and not included in the “room charge”

*extra cleaning supplies

*stain removal charges

*labor for moving furniture  

Be sure to ask many questions and get a quote in writing before you hire a professional carpet cleaner.