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