No matter how diligent we are at keeping our house clean or how frequently we vacuum, inevitably there is going to come a time when you'll need to have your carpets cleaned. Months of heavy foot traffic, accumulated spills over time or just plain old age will eventually have your carpet looking old, tired, and damaged. It's amazing how a good carpet cleaning can spruce up your whole house. But getting your carpets professionally cleaned can be quite expensive to say the least. Your other options are to either rent a carpet cleaner or buy one of the many small carpet cleaners that are available on the market today. The question is, 'how effective are they at getting your carpets really clean?'

Are They Effective?

If you're planning to invest your money it is only natural that you want to know if these little home cleaners will do a good job. The answer to that question is, it depends. They are certainly going to be effective in helping you to keep your carpets cleaner for a longer period of time and are great to use in between those professional carpet cleaning services but these small machines were never meant as a replacement for professional services.

What they can do is to keep your home smelling fresh and help remove carpet stains before they set in. Experts recommend that you have your carpets cleaned every 12 to 18 months and the small carpet cleaners are ideal for general upkeep in the months in between. However, they cannot get the deep penetrating cleaning that professional cleaners can provide.

What Features To Look For?

Carpet cleaners do much more than clean your carpet so if you're planning on buying one of these small machines to help maintain your carpet there are a lot of additional features you can look for. The more effective machines will have an auto mix feature that automatically mixes your detergent with the water for the perfect solution. Another feature is the crevice tool, which allows you to clean in narrow and tight spaces around the home. They may also include detergent sprays to pre-treat tough stains, and a dry cleaning vacuum. The better cleaners will also have a turbo tool, which is a handheld rotating brush that helps you to get into areas difficult to reach and get clean.

Get A Machine That's Versatile

Finally, look for a machine that can serve more than one function. Choosing small carpet cleaners that can also adapt to the different carpet thicknesses and textures is a real plus. And those that have a hardwood floor feature can make a huge difference in how well that carpet will be able to adapt to the new levels and areas that need to be cleaned. Learning how to purchase a small carpet cleaner to help you maintain your carpet can not only save you time and money but it can also promote an image that people actually are willing to be proud of.