Carpet Cleaners

Carpet Cleaners, also called Carpet shampooers are large, Vacuum Cleaner like appliances that use a combination of water, concentrated shampoo and suction to deep clean carpet. Carpet Cleaners are great for lifting out stubborn stains, deeply embedded dirt and even some odours. It is recommended that carpets are deep cleaned once a year. With the right attachments, Carpet Cleaners can also be used to clean mattresses, comforters, curtains, soft furniture, car upholstery and even hard floors.

Carpets need a thorough vacuum beforehand to lift as much loose hair, fluff and dirt from the carpet as possible. It is recommended to plan your clean before using a Carpet Cleaner, as you will often need to move furniture into another room for at least a few hours. Make sure carpet is completely dry before moving furniture back in as this can slow the drying process and lead to mould growth, if possible allow it to dry overnight.

Although they may look similar, Vacuum Cleaners and Carpet Cleaners work quite differently and are designed for different tasks.

Carpet Cleaners apply detergent and water as they clean. As the soapy mixture is applied the area is scrubbed and the soapy water is sucked back up and stored in a dirty water tank. Vacuum Cleaners use a motor to create a vacuum that sucks air in through the head, filters out dust and dirt, then blows air exhaust out the other end.

Both Carpet Cleaners and Vacuums are used to clean flooring in the home. The main difference comes down to what you are trying to remove from the floor. Vacuums rely entirely on suction and are better suited to picking up dust, dirt, hair, fur and other dry particles in the home. For deeply embedded Stain Cleaning, dried on mess or muddy marks a Carpet Cleaner is better suited to the task. Moisture can damage a Vacuum Cleaner, so if you’re cleaning a moist spill and aren’t sure what to use, the Carpet Cleaner is a safer bet.

A carpet cleaner uses water and detergent solution to shampoo carpet fibres, with a rotating brush head that scrubs as it cleans. A steam cleaner uses pressurised hot steam, without detergent, to loosen dirt, which is then immediately vacuumed back up through the head.

When to Choose Each

Both can deep clean carpet, but they suit different situations:

• Carpet cleaner - better for lifting tough, set-in stains like red wine, grease, and muddy marks where detergent is needed

• Steam cleaner - chemical-free option that can clean more deeply in some cases, though less effective against heavy staining

• Vacuum cleaner - for regular dry maintenance between deep cleans, not a substitute for either

A vacuum cleaner should always be used before either a carpet cleaner or steam cleaner to pick up loose surface debris first.

Although they look similar, Carpet Cleaners tend to be bulkier and heavier than Vacuum Cleaners. When comparing models, consider how easy they are to carry and manoeuvre around home, particularly if there are stairs. Keep in mind that Carpet Cleaners use water which can add to the weight when in use.

Consider the capacity of water tanks as a smaller tank will not be as heavy but may require more frequent refilling and emptying. A Carpet Cleaner with a longer power cable will save moving a heavy appliance around home while swapping power outlets.

If you have hardwood flooring or tiles you may want to look for a model that can clean hard floors as well as carpets. With the right attachments some Carpet Cleaners can be used to clean upholstery in your car and around the home. Some models will come with upholstery Cleaners while others need to be purchased separately. Before deciding make sure furniture won’t be damaged by shampoo detergents.

Deep cleaning carpets once a year is the general recommendation for most households. Annual cleaning removes embedded dirt that regular vacuuming can't reach, helping to preserve the carpet fibres and extend their life. Households with pets, young children, or high foot traffic may benefit from cleaning every six months.

Always vacuum thoroughly before running a carpet shampooer. Removing loose hair, dust, and dry debris first means the machine can focus on lifting embedded dirt and stains rather than surface mess. Move furniture out of the room where possible, and allow the carpet to dry fully before putting anything back. Our guide to spring cleaning with steam covers how to build a full seasonal cleaning routine around your appliances.

Wool rugs require careful handling as the fibres are more delicate than synthetic carpet and can be damaged by aggressive scrubbing or harsh detergents. Many carpet cleaners include a brush head that agitates fibres during cleaning, and this action can potentially damage wool or other natural-fibre rugs.

Check the rug manufacturer's care label and the carpet cleaner's manual before proceeding. Some models have a gentle or low agitation setting that may be appropriate for wool, but when in doubt a specialist rug cleaner or dry cleaning service is the safer option. Using a cleaning solution formulated specifically for wool, rather than a standard carpet shampoo, is also important if you do proceed.

Carpet cleaners are effective at reducing pet odours, particularly when used with an enzyme-based or pet-specific cleaning solution. These solutions break down the organic compounds in pet urine and dander that cause persistent smells, rather than simply masking them. Standard carpet shampoo alone may lift the surface stain but leave the odour source untouched.

For old or set-in pet odours, pre-treating the area with an enzyme cleaner and allowing it to sit before running the carpet shampooer gives noticeably better results. Multiple passes over heavily affected areas can also help. Our guide on how to undo any mess with a steam cleaner includes practical advice on tackling different types of household stains.

Carpet cleaner pricing varies based on tank capacity, included attachments, hose length, and whether the model handles hard floors as well as carpet. Portable spot cleaners sit at the more affordable end of the range, making them a practical entry point for households that mainly need to tackle occasional stains.

Full size upright carpet washers with larger tanks, longer cords, and a broader range of attachments generally cost more, but they cover more ground per session and reduce the need to stop and refill. Consider how much carpeted area you have, whether you need to clean upholstery or hard floors too, and how often you plan to use it. A longer power cord is a practical feature worth prioritising, as it reduces the need to move a heavy, water filled machine between power outlets during a clean.