BUY WITH YOUR HOME IN MIND
Start with the mess
A portable carpet cleaner works best for a small carpet stain, a sofa cushion or a spill. It sprays water and cleaning solution, then sucks up the dirty liquid. It does not replace a vacuum for loose pet hair or a larger machine for a whole room.
Think about how often you will use it, where you will store it and how easy it is to clean after each job.
If you carry it around often
Compare the weights, especially if you have stairs. A lighter machine can be easier to move, even if its smaller tank needs more refills. Water makes any machine heavier.
If storage is tight
Measure your cupboard or closet. The table gives each machine’s depth, width and height. Leave extra room for the hose, tools and getting the machine in and out.
If you clean several spots at once
A bigger clean-water tank can mean fewer refills. A longer hose helps you reach farther without moving the machine. Neither tells you how well it will remove a stain.
The clean-water tank holds fresh water and cleaning solution. Another tank collects the dirty water.
Before you buy
Check the machine’s instructions and your carpet or fabric care label. Use the right cleaning solution. After each job, empty and rinse the tanks and let the parts dry.
For pet accidents, good reviews do not guarantee that every stain or smell will be gone. Results depend on the material and how deep the mess has soaked in. Vacuum loose pet hair before wet cleaning.