There are all kinds of sizes and shapes of carpet extractors on the market. Some are small enough to fit into the trunk of your car, while others mount to trucks. They can have one vacuum, or up to four. Some offer heat to aid with extraction, while others don’t have this feature. The price ranges are similarly varied, with carpet extractors running between a few hundred dollars and thousands. Let’s take a look at what you need to know before you buy one.

Pay attention to vacuum power. After all carpet extractors run on the power of their vacuums. The number of vacuums in the extractor will vary with its size, but don’t assume that more are actually better. Look at the water lift rating of carpet extractors, instead. This is expressed in terms of inches, such as about 175 for a portable, professional quality unit. The higher the water lift rating, the stronger the carpet extractor will be.

Find out about solution pressure, too. A higher number is better, just like with the water lift rating. Home models will have their solution pressure expressed in PSI, or pounds per square inch, with the number usually coming in under a hundred. Larger, professional grade carpet extractors will have numbers between one hundred and four hundred, and truck mounted units may have three thousand PSI solution pressure ratings!

High pressure is needed to blast dirt from very difficult carpets and tile, too much can actually be a bad thing. That’s because overly high pressure can do real damage to delicate draperies and other easily damaged materials. If you won’t be washing extremely dirty carpets and tile, don’t worry about getting extremely high pressure.

Pay attention to the tank capacity of carpet extractors, too. This is most important for professionals, since homeowners can easily empty and refill their machine. Commercial cleaners may have a harder time doing this, though, and it can be a major factor in the carpet extractor they decide to go with. Professional portable carpet extractors average twelve gallons for each tank, while truck mounts can go up to a hundred gallons apiece.

Does the extractor come with a heater? Hotter water is more efficient when it comes to cleaning. Professional units may heat water up to over two hundred degrees Fahrenheit. Not all carpet extractors use heat, however, and heat can damage delicates just like pressure. Choose the right carpet extractors for your needs and situation, and you’ll have a much easier time. Carpets and other materials need cleaning, and these machines make it easier – just be sure you’re getting the right one.