Regular vacuuming and maintaining your carpet between professional cleanings is essential for prolonging its lifespan and keeping your home looking its best. However, with the vast array of brands and options available, selecting the right one for your needs can be challenging, particularly if you're unsure where to begin. Therefore, being familiar with the appropriate tools to revitalize your carpet is crucial.
As a carpet cleaning company with over 50 years of experience, we at Restore-It know a thing or two about carpet care. We would love to guide you through the best tools for maintaining your carpet's appearance and cleanliness.
In this article, we will examine all the equipment you need to keep your carpet looking brand new. From vacuum cleaners to carpet shampooers, we will check all the tools at your disposal so your carpet can be guest-ready or freshen up this season.
1. Good vacuum cleaners for good carpet care
The foundation of carpet maintenance is a good vacuum cleaner. A high-quality vacuum will be able to remove dirt, debris, and allergens, extending the life of your carpet. Having said that, not all vacuums are created equal, so making the right choice can make a big difference. Here are some things to look for:
Check for vacuums with strong suction power
A strong vacuum cleaner is the only way to remove deep-seated dirt and dust from your carpet's fibers.
Does someone in your home have allergies? Check the filtration
Just as suction is essential, so is the ability to retain all the dirt and fine particulates after picking them. If somebody in your family suffers from allergies, ensure the vacuum has a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter.
Make sure you have the right capacity
If you choose a vacuum cleaner with a dust bag or cup, go with the biggest one, especially if you have a big home, kids, or pets. This way, you won't have to change the dust bag or empty the cup every five minutes.
Before buying, check the noise level
While power is essential, some vacuum cleaners are simply too loud (particularly older models). Consider vacuum cleaners that are not too noisy: Something around 60 decibels (dB) would be quiet for a vacuum, and 70 to 77 dB is acceptable.
Look for any extra attachments and what they do
These days, these unique tools come with most vacuums. They can help you clean those hard-to-reach areas. Look for a vacuum with upholstery, crevice, and pet hair removal tools. Once you do, you should be set to keep everything spotless, no matter the place.
Find the best vacuums in the market
Shark and Dyson are the most reliable, high-quality brands. In a recent article, TechRadar, a magazine focused on electronic products, rated the best vacuum cleaners in 2024. On the other hand, Rtings.com, a site that reviews all sorts of technology products, has also listed the Top six best vacuums for Fall 2024. We suggest you look at both lists and pick one vacuum that fits your needs.
2. Deep clean your carpets with steam cleaners
Steam cleaners can be the best investment if you want to keep your carpet in top condition. Using only tap water, these machines heat it to over 200°F (some go even more than 375 °F!) and emulsify the dirt while the hot towel absorbs all the soil. A good steam cleaner will extract all the grime from your carpets and eliminate pesky microorganisms in one go. When getting one, here is what you should look for:
Look for the correct size and weight
This is one crucial factor when buying a steam cleaner. Bulkier devices are more difficult to handle, which may deter you from using them more frequently. Also, depending on the available space, you might not have a place to store it if your model is too big.
Check for the correct pressure and temperature
If you are looking for a good steam cleaner, ensure the pressure and temperature are the right for your carpets. Lower temperatures work great with delicate carpets, while higher ones are perfect for effective heavy-duty cleaning. Higher-temperature cleaners are usually more expensive, but they make up for it with a deeper, dryer clean.
Check out the attachments and accessories
Most steam cleaners let you attach different tools to help you clean specific surfaces or reach hard-to-reach places. Some brands sell these attachments separately, so you might want to consider that when making your purchase.
Should you rent a carpet cleaner or buy a steam cleaner?
While you can get a nearly professional look, most rental carpet cleaners are not actual steam cleaners but hot water extraction machines. They can leave your carpet damp, creating the conditions for mold growth. Also, they are expensive in the long run: Home Depot and Lowe's charge around 39 dollars per 1 day. On the other hand, commercial steam cleaner units can last a long time and be available at your convenience.
Which are the best steam cleaners in the market?
The site The Spruce picked the Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner as its best overall pick for steam cleaners, commenting on its ease of use for carpet cleaning. On the other hand, HGTV chose the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Carpet Cleaner model for carpet and rug cleaning.
3. Carpet rakes to keep your carpet fluffy
These will help your carpet look fresh and fluffy. They also help loosen the dirt trapped within the fibers, which is why they are the most useful when combined with a vacuum or steam cleaner. Open the windows and wear a mask when using one.
The most recommended carpet rakes
These rakes are perfect for pet hair, and The Spruce recommends the FURemover Pet Hair Removal Broom and Lint Brush as the best overall model.
4. Spot cleaners for removing stains in your carpet
Listen, as careful as one can be; accidents happen—whether it's spilled wine, pet accidents, or muddy footprints. Thankfully, we have a solution: spot cleaners and portable machines designed to handle minor stains quickly and efficiently. Check this when buying one:
Portability and strong suction
Lightweight, compact designs make it easier to tackle small stains whenever they occur. Meanwhile, the power to lift liquid stains is vital to prevent them from soaking into the carpet's padding.
Compatibility with cleaning solutions
Many spot cleaners come with specific cleaning solutions for particular stains. Whether you're dealing with red wine, pet urine, or another type of stain, make sure the spot cleaner you choose can handle different types of stains.
The best ones, according to the experts
Bissell is the brand all the specialized sites are talking about. Good Housekeeping ranks the Bissell Pet Stain Eraser PowerBrush Plus model as its best overall pick. Meanwhile, Better Homes & Gardens suggests picking the Bissell Deluxe Portable Carpet Cleaner.
5. Don't like steam cleaners? Try carpet shampooers!
If you want to maintain your carpet and leave the deep cleaning to the professionals, a carpet shampooer can be the solution you are looking for. They use water, detergent, and agitation to clean carpets, minus the scorching hot temperatures of steam cleaners. Here is what to look for in one:
Essential characteristics of carpet shampooers
Look for models with powerful brushes and heated drying features. Strong brushes can help agitate and loosen dirt, and drying reduces the risk of mold growth from leaving the carpet damp after shampooing.
Check the expert picks for carpet shampooers
The Hoover PowerScrub Deluxe Carpet Cleaner Machine model is the clear winner by the experts, as seen in BuyersGuide.org and Best Products Reviews.
So that was a long ride. We discussed all the tools you could use to keep your carpets clean and welcoming. Whether you need a high-quality vacuum, a powerful steam cleaner, or a handy spot cleaner, you now know where to start and what to look for when buying one. However, if it has been years since you scheduled professional deep-cleaning, this might be the time to do so. Contact us, and we will get your carpets fresher and healthier for this season.
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