Carpet is great – it’s the warmest and most comfortable floor surface and can also help you save money on heating through its insulating properties.
However, carpet doesn’t come without its problems. It is a sponge for dirt and grime, and is one of the most difficult surfaces to clean.
“Did you know that your carpets can hold as much as four times their weight in dirt, and possibly even more? Carpets are a catch-all for dirt, with dust mites, pet hair, pet urine, dead skin cells, dust, insect feces, insect husks, bacteria, mold, volatile organic compounds, and many other types of allergens clinging to the fibers.” – lifehack.org
If you want to keep your carpet clean as well as prolonging it’s life, you’ll need to clean it regularly. Below we review the best carpet cleaners currently on the market in Australia.
1. Bissell 2066F Revolution Carpet Cleaner (Top Pick)
A super popular model from industry leaders Bissell, the 2066F Revolution is designed specifically for carpets. It can remove the deep stains and odours that children, pets, or months of foot traffic can leave behind. It offers both wet and dry cleaning and has a removable tool that you can use on upholstery.
If you’re in the market for a reliable, high-quality carpet cleaner, it’s hard to look past this exceptional product from Bissell.
What We Like:
- Works well on pet odours and stains
- Designed specifically for carpets
- 3.78-litre water tank
- Suitable for wet and dry cleaning
What We Don’t Like:
- Expensive
- Heavy
2. Monster Steam Appliances Floor Steamer By Euroflex
The Monster has a quick steam ready time, a stainless steel boiler, and a long cord that makes cleaning carpets easy. Users love how lightweight and manoeuvrable this product is.
Worth noting is that this product is designed more for hard floors but comes with an attachment to make it suitable for carpets.
What We Like:
- Pressurised Stainless Steel Boiler
- Adjustable Outputs
- Steam Ready in 3 Minutes
- Works on Sealed Hard Floors and Carpets
- Long cord – 7m
What We Don’t Like:
- No water level markers
- More of a hard surface cleaner with carpet attachment
- Bulky Head
3. Karcher WD 3 Premium Wet And Dry Vacuum (Best Value)
The Karcher WD is one of the best carpet cleaners on the market and comes with a range of additional benefits, all at a very affordable price point.
It can work on hard floors and can also be used to clean your car interior. It has a large industrial water tank, can be used wet or dry, and is lightweight enough to be carried anywhere.
What We Like:
- Large Water Tank – 17 Litres
- Reasonable Cord Length – 4 m
- Light Weight – 5.8kg
- Multi-Purpose – Wet and Dry
What We Don’t Like:
- Potential Hose Snagging
- Suction Power 200 AW
- Doesn’t Compact Down
- 30-day return policy
4. Bissell Spot Clean Refresh Carpet Cleaner
The Bissell Spot Clean Refresh takes cleaning to a whole new level by adding their stain remover formula as part of the package.
It’s lightweight, has a long cord, and is easy to store. With a current user star rating of 9.0, this carpet cleaner is tiny but mighty.
RELATED: Bissell Spot Clean Turbo vs Professional
What We Like:
- Very Lightweight – 3.86 Kg
- Easy Storage
- Unique Stain Remover Formula
- Long Cord – 3.68 m
What We Don’t Like:
- Requires scrubbing for stain remover to work
- Designed for smaller areas, not full house carpet cleaning
5. Vax Rapide Carpet Washer VX30
The Vax Rapide has all the benefits you would expect from a portable carpet cleaner. A large water tank, a separate dirt tank, long cord, and is lightweight so it can be used anywhere in the home.
Just like a stick vacuum cleaner except it integrates steam, this is another great affordable option.
What We Like:
- 1.4L Dirty Water Tank
- 6m Long Cord
- Manoeuvrable and Lightweight (5.6 KG)
What We Don’t Like:
- Works Best on Flatter Surfaces
- Slightly Noisy
- Cannot Compact Down
How To Find The Best Carpet Cleaner For Your Needs
Here are some of the most important factors for you to keep in mind on your hunt for a carpet cleaner:
Steam Pressure
High pressure steam cleaners can clean quicker and deeper, providing a softer finish. Pressure is measured by pounds per square inch, so the higher the pressure is, the more efficient it will be at cleaning.
It is recommended that you look for a steam pressure of over 3.5 bars/ 50 psi.
Water Tank Capacity
One of the most problematic issues faced by owners of steam cleaners is their small water tank, or that the container won’t have measurement markers, leaving people confused about how full the tank is.
The range on most water tanks is between 10 to 30 minutes maximum, so look for a container that suits your needs and gives you an adequate steam duration.
RELATED: The Best Steam Mop
Weight
Depending on the type of carpet cleaner you get, having a manageable weight matters, especially if you have a hard time lifting objects. Portable, light-weight steam cleaners are easy to manouver, but most often will require more refills of your water tank.
Heat-Up Time
Look for steam cleaners that have a heat-up time of less than 30 seconds. Be careful when handling your steam cleaner; depending on how quickly it heats up, you could burn yourself while refilling the water tank.
Continuous Versus Triggers
Steam cleaners are harder to control if their steam runs continuously. However, pulling a trigger button throughout your clean can be tedious and annoying. Both have their benefits; continuous steam can be more comfortable, however, if you’re looking for more control, then triggers can be a good option.
Carpet Cleaning Extras
Other added extras include reusable cleaning cloths, adjustable steam points, upholstery brushes, and a longer cable length. Look for these extras if you want a more efficient and comfortable experience cleaning your carpets.
Carpet Cleaning FAQs
Shampooing, although an older method, can be very effective at treating heavily soiled and stained carpets.
While shampooing loosens and removes dirt, it can also leave a sticky residue which has the potential to attract more dust. It also can involve added brighteners, which can affect the colour of the carpet.
Steam cleaners, generally provide a more efficient way of removing dirt, utilising steam and hot water to dislodge it from the carpet. It can also remove mould and spores, and leaves no residue behind.
Steam cleaning also generally poses no danger to the carpet fibres.
However, depending on the pressure used, it’s not always effective as shampooing at removing stains, especially ones that have been there for a significant amount of time.
Buying a carpet cleaner outright can be overall less expensive than hiring a professional for a single clean. Not only can you save on costs, but you avoid the hassle of arranging a cleaner to come to your home.
The downside is you won’t have the availability of an expert to ask about specific treatments, what you need to maintain your carpet going forward.
Another option is renting a carpet cleaner on its own from somewhere like Bunnings. This will bring the cost down significantly, however, if you anticipate cleaning your carpets once or twice a year, you’ll quickly spend the same amount as buying one outright.
