Steam Cleaners

A number of hot water extractors are now marketed.  They range from the large or small canister types with hose and nozzles to those that resemble an upright vacuum cleaner.  The basic operation of a steam cleaner vacuum involves spraying a mixture of warm water and cleaning solution into the carpet.  This washes the fibers and then extracts the solution mixture back out.  There are models that include rotating or revolving brushes that agitate the carpet for better cleaning.

Early styles of steam cleaners consisted of a special type of wand and nozzle that was used on wet/dry utility vacuum cleaners.  The long hose was connected to a nearby hot water source and the detergent was in a small bottle on the wand and was mixed with hot water before being sprayed onto the carpet.  The finger controlled valve, allowed the user to control the amount of water sprayed into the carpet.  This type of vacuum is still used today.

Modern designs are more self contained because the water and solvent mixture is placed into a holding tank right on the machine.  This frees the user from needing the long water supply hose.

The main part of the extractor consists of the cleaning solution tank, recovery tank, suction motor, cleaning nozzle, and the solution spraying system.  If there is a hose, there will be a motor or turbine driven pump to force the solution to the end of the hose.

Upright steam cleaners

These units look like and upright vacuum, but they also have tanks, suction motors, main nozzles, and other features built into them.  The unit is pushed around much like an upright vacuum cleaner.  The solution is generally gravity fed to the spray nozzle which is directly behind the suction nozzle.

Most have brushes mounted in the same area to agitate the carpet for better cleaning.  Most will have a special hose and smaller nozzle equipped with a stationary brush to use on upholstered furniture and stairwells.

Canister steam cleaners

These units come with a separate hose and nozzle and have tanks and suction motors built into a case that is pulled behind the user.  The nozzle at the end of the hose and the wand is moved back and forth across the carpet to clean it.

Deluxe models have a drive motor type revolving brush in the nozzle to help in the cleaning process.  These nozzles are much lighter to move across the carpet than the upright units.

However, they aren't as convenient to set up or store as the upright units.  Having to pull the canister behind can be troublesome.  A small portable extractor is a variation f the canister type in a small package.  While this may sound great to have for stairs and furniture, often the effectiveness of these types of machines is very poor.

Steam cleaners are most efficient when used periodically to clean lightly soiled carpets.  Heavily soiled or stained carpets can lead to a disappointing cleaning with a steam cleaner.

Those who require heavy duty cleaning, should look into professional cleaning services offered in the area.  They have heavy duty commercial equipment far more powerful and able to produce better results.