One of the biggest benefits of using professional cleaning equipment is how well it does its intended job. Carpet extractors are a perfect example. Their professional features allow you to deep clean carpets, rugs, and upholstery even in the highest traffic areas.
If you are considering a carpet extractor, here are a few things you should know.
1. They can extend the life of the floor.
When it comes to flooring, the primary goal of facilities team members and building services contractors is to keep floors clean while extending their lifespan. A carpet extractor helps achieve this in one go. By removing oily residue from your carpet fibers, you can extend its life. And it's not just leftovers. Dirt, dust and debris can get deep into carpet fibers, especially in high-traffic areas, compromising its longevity.
2. They have expertise.
Want something mobile? There is a style. Want something deeper cleansing? There is a style. There are two main types of carpet extractors. This can/box and wand style are easy to maneuver and perfect for cleaning smaller or tight areas, and the wand can clean upholstery and hard-to-reach areas. Cool, right? But this model doesn't come with a rotating agitator brush, which can remove more dirt from carpets. For the agitating carpet brush feature, you'll want to opt for a stand-alone extractor that can agitate more dirt on your carpet and clean larger areas faster. Self-contained extractors are typically hand-push machines that are faster but sacrifice some portability.
3. They have different motor types.
Carpet extractors generally come with either two-stage or three-stage vacuum motors. Three-stage motors are better for extraction than two-stage motors primarily because of increased water lift. Think about how extractors operate - first, the machine puts down liquid to clean the carpet, and then it vacuums it back up. So, increased lift means less of that water stays saturated in the carpet, which also means less time until the carpet is dry and can be opened up to foot traffic - usually a key need in most facilities. You have a choice about what works best for you and the type of facility you manage or own. Three-stage motors and their increased lift also generally come with two power cords and additional operation requirements.
4. They work well with others.
You can get better performance by pairing your carpet extractor with other devices. For example, we just mentioned carrying water. No matter how much lift your two-stage or three-stage motor gets, there will still be some moisture left in your freshly cleaned carpet. A blower is the perfect companion to help dry your carpet faster after using a vacuum cleaner. The faster the carpet dries, the better. There's one step you can take before extraction that can also help: vacuum with a powerful vacuum cleaner. It's easy to fall into the trap of thinking you don't need to do much to prepare - after all, you're going to be using a serious carpet extractor on your carpets. However, all the dirt removed before using the vacuum reduces its overall workload and increases the chance of a deeper clean on the remaining mess.
A carpet extractor is a great tool when it comes to removing dirt from your carpet, keeping it clean, and extending its life.