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Do you have a large house? If your rooms are carpeted, cleaning them could be a challenging task. Large, wall-to-wall carpets that are attached to the floor, are difficult to maintain. A commercial, powerful machine can be necessary. However, which one to select? Let’s compare carpet extractor vs carpet cleaner. Are there any differences? Which machine types are more efficient and user-friendly? Let’s try to clear up the matter.
Why are American Houses Carpeted?
Both wall-to-wall carpeting and carpet tile options are very popular throughout the USA nowadays. The flooring is the best choice for:
- living rooms;
- nurseries;
- bedrooms;
- studios;
- hallways.
Fortunately, humid areas like kitchens or bathrooms are covered by other materials. Therefore, they are to be moisture-resistant and easy-to-clean. First of all, linoleum, vinyl or ceramic tiles are suitable. So, a steamer for carpet or a carpet cleaner of any kind can be used there. Most importantly, it removes stubborn stains, sanitizes the surfaces, kills bacteria and germs.
Meanwhile, carpets are used even on the stairs. What are the common reasons? The covering is often selected as a type of flooring because it’s warm and soft. It makes our homes cozy and luxurious. Being glued or tacked down, the carpeting doesn’t move. Therefore, it is a safe choice. There is no slip or risk of the trip.
Short Historic Outline
The era of wall-to-wall carpets started in the 1950s. Sales boost happened after the Second World War. Development of vacuum cleaners was one of the decisive incentives. How would you clean a rug before this invention? The best way to clean the carpet by yourself was successfully applied. It can be described as brushing, scrubbing, and washing.
By the 1960s vacuums became more powerful. Their quality was improved. Vacuums were equipped by flexible hoses and wheels. However, they were still heavy-weight and bulky.
Wet-vacuuming feature was added only several decades later. Carpet cleaning extraction method is based on this design solution. Nowadays, it enables efficient DIY deep cleaning of textile and woven materials. It makes usage of large, high-pile carpets convenient and hassle-free.
Home Building and Rental Considerations
So, nowadays, the wall-to-wall coverage is a common choice. Homebuilders prefer carpeting as it’s comparatively affordable. It’s cheaper than other options. Therefore, minimum flooring is necessary. Covered with a wall-to-wall carpet, it’s invisible and protected. Hardwood flooring installation is more labor-intensive. Skilled workers are to be hired to build it.
On the other hand, tenants don’t take the carpets with them when they move. The covering is nailed down and considered to be a part of the house. It is sold together with the building. Homebuyers get carpets almost of no cost.
Multiple types of carpet cleaning machines available for rent or sale are a cherry on a cake. Different attractive carpeting colors are offered. They can be selected to fit any room design. Are there any building standards? According to the California Building Code, the floor covering is to be:
- Noncombustible.
- Fireproof.
- Pollutant-free.
The materials are to meet the current pollutant control requirements. So, proper maintenance is essential. Meanwhile, carpeting provides cushioning, dampens noise. It helps you save electricity, get the Energy Star label and the respective benefits.
Commercial Carpet Cleaning Machines Applications
So, carpets are warm and attractive. They provide safety for children and elderly people. However, the flooring takes some work to keep clean. How to deal with it? Quite naturally, carpet cleaning companies are of use.
Do you want to save on the services? In your private house, it’s possible. Use a hot water extractor for carpet renovation. Deep cleaning is necessary to do only once per 12 or 24 months.
What about the public sector? Carpeting is imperative in various:
- offices;
- restaurants;
- hotels;
- government ministries and parastatals;
- schools;
- casinos;
- bars.
Therefore, the carpet cleaning industry is growing and prospering. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the need for janitorial services is rising. Therefore, if you want to start a business, it’s a brilliant idea. Just select the necessary equipment and consumables.
What is Carpet Extractor?
When you still need to deep clean your carpets and upholstery, make your job easier. Quite naturally, the information on how to clean a rug without a vacuum is useful. However, it would be exhausting and time-consuming work. Use a commercial-grade machine. It can be called a hot water extractor.
What is the essence of the method? It combines high pressure, heat, and suction. This way, dust, dirt, and debris are removed from the rug. A carpet cleaner is a similar appliance. Machines of both types:
- spray water into the carpet;
- scrub the soiled areas;
- use cleaning solutions or agents;
- eliminate stains and deep clean the fibers.
The terms are interchangeable. If any dissimilarities exist, they are in power and water lifting ability.
What is the Difference Between a Carpet Cleaner and a Carpet Washer?
It’s just the name. Using a portable machine that heats water, spills it into the carpet and soaks it up, is very convenient. The units differ by capacity, size, and power. Higher wattage and water lift implies faster machine’s operation and better efficiency.
A machine can be called a shampooer. As cleaning solutions are used, the difference is not wide. Just distinguish the devices from vacuum cleaners and steamers.
| Machine Type | Basic Functions | Water temperature, °F |
|---|---|---|
| Vacuum | regular dust removing | 59-77 |
| Carpet Cleaner | deep cleaning | 150-200 |
| Steamer | sanitation and disinfection | 212-250 |
Quite naturally, regular carpet vacuuming is essential. It is to be done once or several times per week. Extractors are equipped with powerful pumps. Therefore, they lift water fast. A lot of dirt and debris is injected together with the water. The carpet remains slightly wet. It takes less time to dry it. Meanwhile, using steam can be necessary in some cases. The method has its perfect benefits.
Carpet Extractor vs Steam Cleaner
The difference between these popular techniques is evident. The heating temperature is crucial. The water is in liquid or gasoline condition. Therefore, it affects germs and bacteria or removes the grime, penetrating to the fibers.
So, extractors and cleaners are recommended for stain elimination. The heavily-soiled carpets are efficiently renewed. Some mild detergents can be used. Therefore, the fibers are rinsed thoroughly, removing all dust and dirt. The method is suitable for natural and delicate materials. It’s sparing to the carpet.
Meanwhile, the best carpet cleaning method for allergies is based on steam usage. It successfully kills virtually all dust mites and germs. No chemicals are used, so cleaning causes no health issues. Additionally, steamers are usually smaller and more compact than shampooers. They are easier to move around your house or office.
What is the Best Carpet Cleaning Extractor?
Carpets, treated by steam, are not wet through. No liquid water is applied, so the drying time is much shorter. If you still prefer an extractor, it’s a good pick. A machine of this kind is preferable for deep cleaning of large spaces and public places. Select it according to your needs, considering:
- your rooms’ size;
- type of the job to do;
- tank capacity;
- hose and power cord length;
- available attachments and brushes.
The unit application and frequency of use matter. Do you have a cat or dog? Do you run your janitorial business? More cleaning power would be necessary in these cases. Don’t forget to check the carpet type. It may be made of natural or synthetic fibers, be low-pile or thick and plushy.
Overall Impression
So, is it better to shampoo or steam clean carpets? It depends on your needs and prospects. Your house size, the carpet age, and condition matters. Anyway, select a powerful machine that is easy to operate and move. It makes deep cleaning easier. Even if it’s done once a year it should not be hard work for you. Buy or rent suitable equipment and enjoy yourself!
Further Reading
