Spending money on a domestic appliance and not having it work the way you had imagined can be frustrating, to say the least. That's why when it comes to getting yourself a carpet cleaner, we want you to get it right the first time. Whether you have multiple pets or you want to refresh upholstery, too, this guide will walk you through the key points to consider before choosing a carpet washer.
With these factors in mind, we've gone on to find the most budget-friendly, portable and lightweight carpet cleaning solutions for home use. All easily available to buy online from Amazon and Argos, our carefully curated picks feature leading brands such as Bissell, Vax and Swan, as well as a few cheap options for those on a budget, to help you achieve professional results without ever having to hire a rental again.
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Carpet cleaners function come in two types. A single-function cleaner works by shooting water and cleaning solution into the carpet at high pressure, loosening dirt, food or other residue. The suction then extracts the dirt and washes it thoroughly with the vibrating or rotating brush.
A multi-function carpet cleaner works in either wet or dry mode. The wet mode works similarly to a single-function cleaner, whereas the dry mode is low-moisture, which means that your carpet dries much quicker. The best one for you really boils down to whether you think you'd use both functions.
Be mindful, however, that all-in-one machines tend to sit somewhat in-between performance-wise, in that they may not be the best at vacuuming effectively and may not scrub as intensely as a single-function cleaner. For the best vacuuming results, it's best to use a regular hoover.
Get your rugs and carpets looking even cleaner with a carpet shampoo!
Carpet cleaning machines can be classified according to three types based on their size and compactness.
Or, opt for a bagless vacuum cleaner for the other areas of your home.
It's also useful to keep an eye on the size of the water tank to know how long it will take you before you need to refill again. Carpet cleaner tank capacities range from 1 to 5 litres, depending on the unit's size.
Some tanks have separate compartments for clean and dirty water, therefore, the clean and dirty water capacity may vary. Capacity invariably affects the machine's weight, so it's also useful to check the weight and other handy features such as the length of the hose and cord.
£299.00
This high-quality, durable and simple-to-use piece from the market leaders at Vax is a real winner. It's is so effective at dirt removal that it kills 99% of potentially harmful bacteria, plus it boasts advanced special features such as the Flexforce and Heat Blast technology and a dedicated dry mode.
The brushbars have flexible bristles that distribute the right amount of energy deeply into your carpet fibres. This properly lifts the dirt as the machine automatically dispenses the correct mix of water and solution. What's most interesting, however, is that it automatically transitions from washing to drying when you push or pull!
£222.73
This is a very cost-effective tool. Why spend a fortune on both a dedicated vacuum and a carpet washer when you can have it all in one with this product? Its good suction power offers impressive cleaning results, and it can be used on hard floors, carpets, car seats, mattresses or any other textile surface.
The package includes wet and dry floor nozzle clips, dry vacuum nozzle clips and a spray extraction nozzle with hard surface attachment, all of which enable deep cleaning and quick drying. What's more, the container handle is a 3-in-1 that allows for easy opening, closing, carrying and emptying. Clever!
£298.60
If you're after something to tackle dog or cat messes or the fluff and dirt that comes with them, then this is the perfect tool for you. It's designed especially for pet owners and will banish associated odours with its exclusive Pet Pro clean-up system.
It comes with a unique shampoo formula, a pet upholstery tool and a detachable hose. There are some other tools included to meet a variety of cleaning needs, too, so you just need to decide what mode you want to operate. Whether you want to vacuum debris in dry mode, remove stains or do a quick clean up in express mode, this is a reliable all-rounder.
£85.99
Although carpet cleaning machines tend to be quite pricey, you'll be happy to know that you don't need to break the bank for one if you're on a budget. With this top-notch machine from a reputable brand, you still get to enjoy a lot of basic features.
Firstly, there's a 24 cm wide jet spray that covers a relatively large area at once and penetrates deep into carpets. Then, there's the robust brush to agitate and dislodge grime before it's taken up into the dirty water tank. We also love that the head and tanks are transparent plastic, meaning everything is visible to you as you clean.
£147.99
Thanks to the carpet-friendly wheels of this machine and the extending pull-along handle, it's easy to steer in any direction. Plus, there's a flexible retractable hose to make it easy for you to target particular areas. This is attached to a powerful motorised brush, which deeply cleans stains and hard-to-reach corners.
Rug Doctor's hugely well-rated machine is also innovatively designed to fit on stairs, IPX4 rated for outdoor use and capable of sucking up spills, making it really versatile. Its portability is sure to be a big selling point for many too.
£81.49
This product comes with a 3-year warranty, which signals high quality and provides greater assurance for users. As for the unit itself, it's lightweight and compact with a removable handle and has twin chambers for easy emptying and cleaning.
It has a specialised shampoo formula to clear away any stains or spills and neutralise odours, keeping things fresh in busy homes. The cleaning solution comes in a large 250 ml bottle and is antibacterial, something both parents and pet owners will appreciate. The only possible downside (depending on your use) is that it's only single-function.
£128.60
The SpotWash from Vax comes with a multi-purpose attachment that makes it adaptable to a variety of surface types, including upholstery, car interiors and rugs. Also, there's a scrub attachment for clearing up spills or stains on sealed hard floors.
While the interior of some other machines may not be so easy to clean, this clever device is. It features a self-cleaning function that automatically flushes your hose after removing debris. The only issue we can see with it, is that it may not be quite as powerful as some of our higher picks.
£99.00
If you don't have a lot of room in your home and have to be mindful of space, you'll love this compact carpet cleaner from Bissell. The slim design will even fit under the sink! It can be used on many surfaces, from carpets, rugs and sofas to your car's upholstery.
The HeatWave technology is a key feature of this machine that helps maintain water temperature as you wash by delivering heat to the water tank. This ensures more efficient cleaning for the best results. The only downside to this product is that it sacrifices water tank capacity for its small size.
£74.99
Whether you're after something suited to a busy home with a lot of foot traffic or you just want something for the occasional light wash, look no further than this multifunctional appliance built to meet a variety of cleaning needs.
With its 1600-watt motor, it really packs a punch, and not only does it have a built-in blower function, but it can also be used for hoovering or carpet washing. However, as with many machines of this type, it won't vacuum as effectively as an actual hoover.
£67.99
First of all, this upright machine will allow you to carry out your chores without bending over too much, preventing any overstressing of the back muscles. To make it even more convenient, it's easy to assemble and disassemble, and emptying or refilling the water tank is a breeze with a push of a button.
In terms of performance, the vibrating brush technology and side brushes lift dirt effectively too. All in all, it's a brilliant machine, it's just a shame that it has no stair attachment, so it might be a little difficult to manoeuvre around these tighter areas.
Written and researched by David Gbe
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The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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