New carpet can be soft, plush and oh so luxurious. After a few years of being trampled on by pets, children, and guests, your once-immaculate carpet may look dingy and dirty. To restore a carpet, some people turn to a professional carpet cleaning service. However, cost-conscious people buy a carpet cleaner they can use whenever they need it.
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Table of Contents
- Our Recommended Affordable Carpet Cleaners
- Bissell ProHeat Essential Carpet Cleaner [1887]
- Hoover PowerDash Pet Carpet Cleaner [FH50700]
- Hoover Power Scrub Elite Pet Carpet Cleaner [FH50251]
- Hoover Turbo Scrub Carpet Cleaner [FH50130NC]
- Bissell PowerLifter PowerBrush Carpet Cleaner [1622]
- Buyer’s Guide
- FAQ
Our Recommended Affordable Carpet Cleaners
Everyone wants to save money, and we here at HouseholdMe like to help people do it. Here are the top five affordable carpet cleaners on the market this year.
Bissell ProHeat Essential Carpet Cleaner [1887]
Running on a powerful 6-amp motor, the Bissell 1887 ProHeat produces strong dirt-removing spray and water-extracting suction.
The 11-inch-wide floor head boasts six rows of spinning brushes as well as thinner side brushes for edge cleaning. Plus, the translucent brush cover on the floor head lets you see when all the dirty water is collected.
Speaking of water, the divided tank can hold 1 gallon, and it’s equipped with HeatWave technology, which maintains the temperature of hot water. With this 20-pound carpet cleaner, you get on-board storage for the Tough Stain tool and the Spraying Crevice tool.
Thanks to its 7-foot-long hose and 22-foot-long power cord, the ProHeat provides an incredible cleaning radius.
Hoover PowerDash Pet Carpet Cleaner [FH50700]
You never have to worry about a contaminated water supply thanks to the two distinct tanks on the 20-pound Hoover PowerDash Pet Carpet Cleaner.
These tanks feature a hinged handle to make refills a breeze, and the clean water tank has a 0.5 Gallons capacity. You also get the benefits of hot water that stays hot and heated drying.
The motor spins the five counter-rotating brushes with amazing force, and you can set the brushes to one of three speeds. If you’re dealing with set-in stains or heavy-traffic areas, an extra boost of detergent from the CleanSurge control along with the SpinScrub hand tool or the upholstery tool will get rid of those eyesores.
Hoover Power Scrub Elite Pet Carpet Cleaner [FH50251]
The Power Scrub Elite Pet offers three cleaning modes, including deep-clean mode, quick-clean with heated air and rinse mode.
Inside of the carpet cleaner, the 10-amp motor moves the SpinScrub brushes in a counter-rotating motion, and the 12-inch-wide DualV Nozzle provides even suction. A pair of side brushes helps the carpet cleaner make the most of every pass.
Since pets can create mega-disasters, Hoover included a two-in-one SpinScrub tool covered in germ-fighting antimicrobial material. The 18.5-pound carpet cleaner also comes with an 8-foot-long hose, a 20-foot-long cord, and an accessory bag.
Within the 1.25-gallon clean-water tank, there is even a special detergent compartment that gives the perfect water-to-detergent ratio every time.
Hoover Turbo Scrub Carpet Cleaner [FH50130NC]
Hoover equipped the Turbo Scrub Carpet Cleaner with its patented SpinScrub 360 brushes and a heated-air generator to facilitate the drying process.
Like its clean-water tank, the machine’s dirty-water tank holds 1 gallon. When the dirty-water tank is full, the carpet cleaner shuts off to prevent a messy overflow.
A power-control pedal and a detergent-release trigger make using this 18.3-pound carpet cleaner easy.
Other features that make carpet cleaning easier include removable brushes for easy cleaning, an 8-foot hose, a see-through upholstery tool and a hanging mesh bag for tool storage. Due to its comprehensive cleaning ability, the Turbo Scrub has earned a Seal of Approval from The Carpet and Rug Institute.
Hoover Turbo Scrub Carpet Cleaner, FH50130NC Review
Bissell PowerLifter PowerBrush Carpet Cleaner [1622]
Four rows of counter-spinning brushes loosen stubborn dirt and scrub away stains. With an 11-inch cleaning path, the PowerLifter can cover a lot of floor in a short amount of time.
Its smooth wheels won’t leave marks or dents in your carpet, and the ergonomic hooked handle makes it easy to maneuver the 16.4-pound carpet cleaner.
Above the brush window on the floor head, there is a 0.75-gallon tank that features an easy-pour spout for draining dirty water and an integrated measuring cup for adding cleaning solution.
Bissell’s addition of a lint screen prevents clogs, and the 20-foot-long power cord offers plenty of reach from the electrical outlet.
Buyer’s Guide
If there is carpet in your house, you’ll need to clean it periodically. Before you grab the first one within your budget, you need to make sure the one you choose offers features that provide a thorough clean and a user-friendly experience.
Motor Amperage
The motor inside of a carpet cleaner partially determines the machine’s extraction and water-release force. Therefore, the more amps the carpet cleaner can pull, the better.
Usually, residential carpet cleaners range in amperage from 6 to 15 amps. This is an acceptable range for removing ground-in dirt and stubborn stains. Any carpet cleaner with an amperage rating under 5 amps won’t be powerful enough to give you the results you want.
Brushes and the Cleaning Path
Another component that plays into how well a carpet cleaner removes dirt and stains is the brush on its floor nozzle. You want a carpet cleaning machine with more than one brush, and those brushes should rotate in opposing directions to tackle carpet fibers from all angles.
This type of brush configuration is more effective than straight bristles that move backward and forward as you push and pull the carpet cleaner. For versatility, a few manufacturers use variable-speed brushes.
Be sure to pay attention to the machine’s cleaning path, which is measured by the width of the brush setup and suction inlet. Some carpet cleaners also have side brushes, which add to the machine’s cleaning path.
To thoroughly shampoo your carpet, the passes you make must be slow, so you need a carpet cleaner with a wide cleaning path of at least 10 inches.
Water Tanks
A big water tank means fewer refills. To reduce the number of trips to the sink, stick with a carpet cleaner that offers a water capacity of no lower than 0.75 gallons. If there is only one tank, it should be divided.
Two tanks ensure that the dirty water collected by the machine never touches the clean water and detergent in the other tank.
The tank, or tanks, should be easy to fill and empty, and an integrated detergent cup makes it a breeze to add the right amount of cleaning solution. Other convenience features include see-through material, so you can tell how full or empty a tank is without removing it, and a handle allows you to carry the tanks without dropping them.
Power Cord
When it comes to the power cord on a carpet cleaner, you want all the length you can get – 20 feet is an adequate length for a power cord. Freshly shampooed carpets should not be walked on for hours after they are cleaned.
If you have to backtrack to unplug the cord because it’s too short, you risk undoing some of your hard work. Plus, changing electrical outlets is a pain.
Accessories
The inclusion of accessories means you can clean certain upholstered furniture and drapes as well as stairs and other areas. Accessories also make spot removal easier. Depending on the model, you’ll usually see one or more accessories.
The carpet cleaner may have a stain tool with spinning brushes or a non-motorized upholstery tool. Some also come with a crevice tool or an attachment that’s two tools in one.
Most carpet cleaners offer a flexible hose. Like the power cord, you want the longest hose you can find. Of course, you also need a place to keep the accessories. Common storage solutions include a bag or an on-board caddy.
The Handle and the Controls
Carpet cleaning is no quick 10-minute job. A sizable living room can take several hours to complete, so you want to be as comfortable as possible from start to finish. Your comfort starts with the handle. It should be ergonomically designed – a bent or looped handle is best.
You also want the detergent-release control within the reach. This control should be a trigger-style control or a fingertip button on the handle. Usually, the power button is also on the handle.
However, some manufacturers put this control on the floor nozzle, so you can just start up the machine with your foot, which is a back-saver.
All Things Heat
Hot water instead of cool water provides a better clean on carpeting that’s safe to clean with heat because heat activates the chemicals in the cleaning solution. A lot of carpet cleaners are equipped with a warmer.
If you fill the tank with hot water, a warmer will keep the water hot throughout the entire cleaning process.
If you’re busy or have a full household, it can be difficult to block off a room until the carpet is dry. To greatly decrease the carpet’s drying time, get a carpet cleaner that pushes out forced hot air.
Weight and Wheels
Since you’ll be using your carpet cleaner for long stretches of time, you want the machine to be lightweight. Look for a carpet cleaner that weighs 20 pounds or less to prevent muscles strains and soreness.
Have you ever seen rubber marks on a carpet? It’s not a pretty sight, so steer clear of carpet cleaners with rubber wheels. Opt for a model with smooth wheels, which will leave your carpet free of blemishes.
Carpet Cleaner Tips
Get the best results from your carpet cleaner by keeping these tips in mind:
Before you pull your carpet cleaner out of the closet, thoroughly vacuum the carpet. By doing so, you’ll remove loose debris and hair that could clog your carpet cleaner.
Don’t rush. Sure, you don’t want to spend all day cleaning your carpet, but there’s no point in shampooing your carpet if it isn’t clean when you’re done. Sometimes, you need to make several passes over the same area to lift all the dirt.
Rinse all detergent out of your carpet by filling the carpet cleaner’s tank with water only. Due to its tendency to attract dirt, you don’t want to overload your carpet with detergent.
Keep the drying time short by extracting as much water as possible with the help of your carpet cleaner, opening windows and turning on a fan. Carpets that stay damp for an extended period may foster mold growth.
FAQ
Although every carpet cleaner varies, the basic mechanics are similar. Carpet cleaners are equipped with either one or two tanks; those with two keep clean and dirty water in separate locations.
Before you turn on a carpet cleaner, you fill the tank with fresh water and the cleaning solution of your choice.
Once you power on the carpet cleaner, push the water-release button, which is usually located on the handle. As the soapy water is expelled, brushes on the underside of the cleaner scrub away dirt and grime.
Carpet cleaners also extract water via suction – This typically involves pulling the machine backward instead of forward.
You can use a carpet cleaner to freshen most types of carpeting as long as they aren’t marked as dry-clean only. Some carpeting that can withstand the scrubbing action of a carpet cleaner may require special care.
For instance, if you run a carpet cleaner on Berber, make sure you extract as much water from the carpet as possible. For wool, stick with cool water.
The answer to this question depends on the specific carpet cleaner. Those that come with attachments can be used on almost any fabric with the exceptions of silk, velvet, and lace.
With an attachment-loaded carpet cleaner, you can shampoo drapes, mattresses, automobile interiors and upholstery.
There are a few benefits of hiring a professional carpet cleaning service, such as not having to be the one who cleans your carpets. However, the downsides outweigh the positives. First, you have to search for a reputable company.
Then, you have to schedule an appointment, which means you’ll spend hours of your day at home waiting for the carpet cleaning company.
Of course, there is the cost of service. You know those coupons in your newspaper that lure you in with a promise of carpet cleaning in three rooms and one hallway for only $49.99? They’re too good to be true.
After they finish cleaning your carpet, they’ll hand you a bill with a lot of extra fees tacked on for bogus charges like deodorizing and high-traffic areas. You’ll save a bundle in the long run with a carpet cleaner of your own with no risk of hidden charges.
Our Recommended Carpet Cleaners
This website is supported by readers. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Last update on 2020-10-23 / Most affiliate links and/or Images from Amazon Product Advertising API