| It used to be cost-prohibitive to own your own | | | | equipped with car cleaning tools and a bare floor |
| carpet steam-cleaner, but these days you can have | | | | attachment. The Bissell ProHeat 7950 Steam Cleaner |
| your pick of models. Before you choose a carpet | | | | appears to feature the same types of attachments, |
| cleaner, take a look at the different options out | | | | but is priced at about $100 more? Is it a rip-off?This |
| there and decide what's best for you. For instance, | | | | is where comparing features comes in handy - the |
| are you a neat-nick who wants to shampoo all of | | | | Bissell has an onboard heater that keeps the cleaning |
| your carpet on a regular basis? Do you have pets or | | | | water warm throughout use, which according to |
| kids who are prone to spilling? Do you have mostly | | | | experts, gives better cleaning power. But, is it always |
| carpet, or would you like a machine that can clean | | | | necessary? If you only plan to do one room on a |
| your tile, laminate, and hardwood, too? Will you | | | | given day, you might not be using the steamer long |
| mostly be cleaning high traffic areas like halls and | | | | enough to need the heater, so the Hoover would be |
| stairs, and sticking to a vacuum for the rest? How | | | | perfect for you.Would a Spot-Cleaner Be Sufficient? |
| much storage space to do you have available? You | | | | When you have kids, pets, or both, spills and |
| have so many choices available, so to avoid | | | | accidents can be a part of your everyday life. If you |
| becoming overwhelmed, assess your needs before | | | | mostly want a steam cleaner to catch those spills |
| you begin shopping.How Much Horsepower Do I | | | | before they turn into stains, or for small jobs such as |
| Need?The most important decision when buying a | | | | high-traffic areas only, a spot-cleaner would probably |
| carpet cleaning machine is to decide how much | | | | be more than enough machine for you. The biggest |
| power you need. First, decide if you want an upright, | | | | benefits with the small machines are that they're |
| canister model or a spot-treater. An upright machine | | | | easy to store, easy to use, and best of all, they're |
| is operated similar to your regular vacuum. These | | | | quite inexpensive. You can get powerful name-brand |
| machines are best if you plan to clean an entire room | | | | machines by Bissell and other companies for $30-$70, |
| of carpet four or more times a year. If you know | | | | depending on features. They are great for busy |
| you'll use it at least that often, an upright machine is | | | | families since they can be pulled out, used, and put |
| probably best for you. Keep in mind, though, that | | | | away in a matter of minutes.Don't be fooled by the |
| they are usually comparable or larger in size to your | | | | designation of spot-cleaner. These powerful little |
| upright vacuum, so plan ahead where you want to | | | | machines can also be used to clean stairs, high-traffic |
| store it.Canister models are often able to hold more | | | | areas like halls and entries, and small rooms like |
| liquid, so if you have a lot of carpet and you'd like to | | | | carpeted bathrooms, even in the largest homes. |
| be able to clean it all in one day, a canister model | | | | They're ideal for apartments or small homes where a |
| might be right for you. They can be slightly harder to | | | | larger machine would be overkill. In a small room, you |
| manage, though, because unlike upright models, they | | | | can clean the entire area with your "spot" cleaner.Just |
| have a separate hose, which will need to be drained | | | | asking yourself a few simple questions about your |
| and cleaned. However, because of the flexibility, they | | | | needs before you head to the store will save you a |
| are great for cleaning stairs and behind furniture. But | | | | lot of hassle. Be realistic about how often you'll really |
| do your homework! Some upright models have | | | | use your new carpet cleaner, where you plan to use |
| separate cleaning arms with attachments.Compare, | | | | it, and how you'll store it when it's not being used. |
| Compare, Compare! | | | | There are so many choices that you'll be able to find |
| When you start your quest for an upright or | | | | one that meets your specifications exactly.If you |
| canister steamer, you may be surprised at the | | | | have a specific question or want more carpet |
| variety of features available. For example, the | | | | cleaning tips, visit today and find the answers to your |
| Hoover SteamVac Plus is an upright model that | | | | home cleaning questions. |
| features a hose for more versatility, and comes | | | | |