The 6 Best Carpet Cleaning Machines for Fresh Floors

By Corrie Pelc

On most days, a vacuum does a fine job cleaning the carpeting in your home. But sometimes you need something with a bit more cleaning oomph. Maybe you have some ground-in dirt from trodding feet that just won’t lift out with the vacuum. Or perhaps you noticed a wine stain from your last dinner party that you need extra help getting out.

For these reasons as well as others, sometimes you need a carpet cleaning machine to give your carpeting and rugs the deep clean they need and deserve. A home carpet cleaning machine is able to dig deep into a carpet’s fibers to pull out dirt, grime, bacteria, and scents that an everyday vacuum cleaner can’t normally get to. And with regular deep cleanings, you’ll end up extending the life of your carpeting and making normal vacuuming that much easier.

This guide will take you through the best carpet cleaners on the market right now.

How to Buy a Carpet Cleaning Machine

When purchasing a home carpet cleaning machine, there are a few things to consider:

• Upright or Portable? Carpet cleaners generally come in two types. An upright machine looks pretty much like a standard vacuum cleaner and acts the same way, too. The only difference is instead of a tank to hold dry dirt, it has a water tank on board. Portable cleaners are generally smaller and lightweight, making them easier to go up and down stairs with. However, they may not have the same larger tank capacity as an upright one.
• Cleaning Solution: Carpet cleaning machines require hot water and a cleaning solution to be placed in the machine. This is what is used to clean the carpet when you run the machine over it. Some cleaning machines apply the cleaner through a spray mechanism, while others pre-mix the cleaner in the tank and the carpet cleaner applies it as you roll over the carpeting.
• Brushes and Accessories: Most of today’s carpet cleaning machines use roller brushes that move the carpet fibers around, helping draw up embedded dirt and grime and pushing the cleaning solution down further into the carpeting. And some will come with special attachments for getting into crevices or cleaning upholstery, making them more versatile cleaning machines.

Test Factors We Considered When Picking the Best Carpet Cleaning Machines

Here’s a rundown of the test factors we used when deciding on the best carpet cleaning machines for this year:

• Price: How will this carpet cleaner fit in the user’s budget?
• Type: Is this carpet cleaning machine upright or is it portable?
• Weight: How much does the carpet cleaning machine weigh?
• Power: Is the carpet cleaning machine corded or cordless?
• Water Tank Size: How large the water tank is will determine how frequently the user will need to refill it during cleaning. Most residential carpet cleaning machines will have water tanks of 0.5 to one gallon, while more professional carpet cleaning machines have larger tanks.
• Number of Water Tanks: Some carpet cleaning machines have one water tank, while others have dual tanks — one for clean water and the other for dirty water.
• Cleaning Solution: Does the carpet cleaner pre-mix the solution and apply it or does the user need to spray the solution on the carpeting?
• Flooring Type: Can this carpet cleaner be only used on carpeting or can it be used to clean other types of flooring?
• Included Accessories: What types of accessories — such as brushes and crevice tools — does the carpet cleaning machine come with?
• Warranty: Does the manufacturer back the performance of its product?

Let’s take a look now at our list of the best carpet cleaning machines out there right now.

Carpet Cleaning Machine Care Tips

There’s no doubting that a home carpet cleaning machine is an investment. Here are some tips to ensure you get the most mileage out of your machine.

Read the Manual

The best way to learn about your carpet cleaning machine is to take a few minutes to thoroughly read through the owner’s manual. It will not only instruct you how to use your machine properly and safely but will give you plenty of care tips to ensure it stays running for many years to come.

Keep Nozzles and Brushes Clean

The brushes and tools you use with your carpet cleaner will inevitably get built up with hair or other debris. Many nozzles and brushes can also be detached from the machine, so they can be run under the sink to help with the cleaning process. Check your owner’s manual for information on how to do that.

Use the Right Cleaning Solution

You’ll notice that most carpet cleaning machines highly recommend you use the company’s brand of carpet cleaning solution. This is because most times, the machine and the solution were both designed to be used together. Using a separate carpeting cleaning solution may be problematic for your machine and can sometimes void your warranty, so make sure to use the right cleaning solution every time.

Store It Properly

Make sure the carpet cleaning machine is unplugged and fully dry before storing. And make a note to store it somewhere where it doesn’t get too cold, like outside or in a vehicle, as water left inside the water tank can freeze.

Do you have a carpet cleaning machine that you love? Tell us about it in the comments below!