| There are so many machines available, and so much | | | | tool to clean small areas. A box extractor comes with |
| information out there about them, it is often difficult | | | | a stand up drag wand that you pull across the carpet |
| to determine what type of machine will best fit your | | | | to clean, which can be fairly labor intensive, but will |
| needs. | | | | be the most economical. A self-contained extractor |
| There are essentially 3 different types of machines, | | | | has a head that you pull across the carpet that puts |
| and then subcategories within those types. The 3 | | | | solution down, scrubs the carpet, and then recovers |
| main types of machines are portable spotters, box | | | | that dirty solution. This type of unit will be the most |
| extractors, and self-contained extractors. | | | | labor friendly, and cover the most area in the least |
| A portable spotter is great for small spot cleaning | | | | amount of time. However, these models tend to be |
| and stain removal. A box extractor is the most | | | | the more expensive compared to the other two. |
| versatile of all the machines because it can do large | | | | Depending on what you are looking for, the box |
| areas, small spotting, stairs, and other versatile carpet | | | | extractor is probably the best buy for a home owner |
| cleaning jobs. A self-contained extractor is typically | | | | who does routine maintenance. A portable spotter is |
| only used to clean large, wide open areas of | | | | great for car detailers, or for the home owner who |
| carpeting. A self-contained extractor can be fitted | | | | wants to clean up periodic spills and stains. A |
| with external tools to make it more versatile, but for | | | | self-contained extractor is great for hotels and |
| the most part they are used for large area cleaning. | | | | convention centers that are continuously cleaning |
| A portable spotter typically comes with a small hand | | | | large areas of carpeting. |