One of the things that Dirt Devil uses to set this carpet shampooer apart from other carpet shampooers is the fact that there are two suction nozzles on this machine. That means there is more force sucking out the dirty water out of your carpet and it never has a chance to settle or soak your carpets like it might have with other carpet cleaning machines. This machine has two revolving brushes that rotate in opposite directions to add to its cleaning power. Multi-directional scrubbing is a proven way to get your carpets cleaner.

Some other ways that this machine is different from other carpet cleaners is that there are three tanks instead of just two. There is a clean water tank that you fill with plain water, a dirty water tank for the wash water you suck up after scrubbing, and a soap dispenser. This third tank is for holding the carpet shampoo. The Platinum Force will automatically measure how much soap to use and mix the soap with the clean water when the soap dispenser button is pressed on the handle. Keeping the soap separate from the water allows you to rinse with clean water whenever you need to and means you do not have to empty the reservoir to rinse.

Not having to premix the soap and water also saves time. When I clean my own carpets, the part of the job that takes the most amount of time is refilling the cleaning solution reservoir. You need to measure out shampoo and mix it with water and then pour it into the machine. With the Dirt Devil machine you only have to fill the reservoir with water. This is a big time saver and one of the reasons this machine is great for small and quick jobs.

Another helpful cleaning gadget is the high intensity spotlight that reveals any problem areas or stains. Combined with the light there are also two spot cleaning settings on the carpet shampooer that will help you clean all different kinds of stains. There is a stream setting for targeting small stains and a spray setting for attacking large high traffic areas.

There are two setting for general carpet cleaning as well. The carpet and rug setting will allow the brushes to work at optimal levels and speeds. There is a patented rinse cycle that uses fresh water to rinse the carpet free of any residual soap residue. Soap residue left behind can cause a phenomenon known as wicking. Any dirt left behind would be attracted to the soap residue and would rise to the surface over time making your carpet look even dirtier. The best thing about these settings is that there are indicator lights to tell you what cycle you are on. That way you can be confident that you are getting your carpets appropriately clean. There are also indicator lights to inform you when you need to change the water in your tank.

There are several attachments that make this carpet shampooer from Hoover an even better investment. There is a SpinScrub powered hand tool with a rotating brush so that you can clean hard to reach areas or stairs. There is also an upholstery tool and a crevice tools that you can use with a long hose to clean furniture or curtains.

First, do you want an upright carpet shampooer, a canister shampoo machine, or a compact carpet cleaner? Up right machines look a lot like vacuums but are usually heavier and a bit bulkier. Canister machines have a canister for the wash and waste water connected to a vacuum head by a long hose and handle. A compact carpet cleaner is a small canister with a handheld suction head connected to a short hose that wraps around the canister for storage. Small machines like this can be stored in cabinets or under tables. The upright machines are definitely the most powerful and best for whole carpet cleaning projects. However, they are bulky and may be hard to handle in small spaces. The canister machine is definitely easier to handle in small spaces, but they are not as powerful and not good for really deep carpet cleaning. The compact machines are best for immediate stain fighting because they are easy to use and are best for small jobs.

You also want to consider if you want a carpet cleaner that can multitask. Some shampooers can be used on surfaces other than carpet. Steam cleaning can be effective on ceramic tile, marble, slate, or wood floors. If you want a machine that you can use in multiple areas of your house then look for a multi-surface machine from Bissell. You will be making a good investment because you will be able to use the carpet cleaner so much more often.

Another thing to consider is the efficiency and ability of the heater. If you have many high traffic area carpets and need to fight tough stains often then you want a machine with a very strong heater so that you can get the water and cleaners hot enough to activate them and work at their best.

In addition to these basic characteristics, you also need to think about special needs that you may have in your household. For example, there are carpet cleaners made especially or households that have allergen concerns. Or ones that are best suited for pet stains and odors. There are also carpet shampooers that are considered green and eco-friendly.

Finally, you will need to consider price. You may or may not be able to purchase the carpet shampooer you want because it might be outside of your budget. Bissell sells machines anywhere from small compact shampooers for less than fifty dollars to upright machines with lots of accessories for close to three hundred dollars. Make sure that you get the most ability for the money you have available. And if you cannot get what you want with the money you have, consider renting for another month or two and saving some more money. It is better to wait and get what you really want than to buy something inadequate and only have to replace it later.

Rug Doctor makes a carpet shampoo to go with their machines, but you do not have to use their soap if you do not want to. I sometimes use other brands if I can find them on sale, or a make a homemade carpet shampoo out of hot water, vinegar, and dish soap. If you notice too much foam in the waste stream then you want to cut back on the amount of carpet cleaner used in each tank. I actually use about half of the recommended dosage in order to avoid leaving too much soap residue behind. Soap residue is what is responsible for the phenomenon known as wicking. This is when dirt is attracted to soap left behind in the carpet and that soapy dirt mixture makes its way to the surface of the carpet during the hours after you finish cleaning. Your carpets can actually look less clean than when you started.

There are two varieties of Rug Doctor carpet shampooers you can rent and the only difference is that one is wider than the other. If you rent the wider machine, you will be able to clean a larger surface area of carpet in a shorter amount of time, but the machine is less maneuverable. It is very difficult to get the wider machine into corners or around pieces of heavy furniture. The small machine may take longer, but it is a little easier to use. In addition, the wide machine is heavier than the small machine. If you have a large SUV then the wide machine might be difficult for you to get in and out of the car because you need to lift it up in order to get it in and out.