There are home owners arguing whether just a vacuumed cleaner is good enough to cleaner the carpet or you need to have a steam cleaning machine. The cost is the major reason households just have a vacuum cleaner will be enough for the usual job. It is true that a proper machine is not cheap and they seemingly doing the same thing just by looking at it? Actually they are totally different mechanics. Its like compare dial up with broadband. A steam machine can extract a lot more dirts and treat stains that dry vacuuming simply can’t. Its is also like dry cleaning your cloth will never come as close as to usual laundry cleaning.
Different Machine different purpose:
Both vacuum cleaner or steam cleaner has bog upright or canister design. It takes some time to setup and pack up the steam cleaner, and the tool is heavier during the process, but it definitely worth the effort for the much better cleaning afterwards. And as for stains, most stains using vacuums cleaner just won/t work and its wasted effort at the end. But if it is just for weekly household maintenance, vacuumed cleaner will make more sense as you pretty much will walk on it straight after clean and you do not want to leave it wet. If you have little babies, chances are you will have constant dropping of foods, drinks, and urines. In this case, probably buy the smallest domestic steam cleaner for those small but urgent jobs where you just need partial clean and not the whole room.
Cleaning Machine design difference:
The design of carpet cleaning machine is more robust then vacuum cleaner. The hose is stronger yet with smoother surface which allows you to pull along without damage the carpet or the hose itself. The wire is usually longer too so you can clean big commercial areas without moving the machines around too much and less likely to need additional extension wire. It has hot water tank, some can have additional in build water heater. It also has waste dirty water storage tank for later disposal. This similar design applies to steam machine, shampoo machine or some dry cleaning machine.
Steps by step for proper clean
Most carpet cleaning companies use 2 or more steps for carpet cleaning. Some will do the vacuuming before cleaning, while some will ask the customer to vacuumed first and furniture removed before they arrive. Too many steps are unnecessary and are just to look fancy as the result will not be better as permanent stains will still be permanent stains. But some stains with repeated treatment will come off to some extend. Be sure the solution is colour safe and thus will not damage the carpet with repeated cleaning. Be sure cleaning chemical is rinsed completely from the carpet and disposed properly usually by flush down the toilet.
Want to own a steam clean machine?
Some people things steam cleaner are costly, but actually they cost about the same. They can be bought in appliance shops for around $300 for a mid price ranged domestic model. The benefit is that you can achieve much better clean for similar prices vacuum cleaner. Or if its just one off use you can rent one from nearby supermarket. For heavy duty clean or specialised stain removal, its better let the professionals do it with commercial grade machines.