Thread: Steam/Carpet Cleaners?

Originally Posted by Kustom

That being said save your pennies and buy a VX5000 Steamer... it is an amazing tool!

That's what we have here in the shop and it is worth every penny.

Originally Posted by jakerooni

Don't waste your money on a worthless machine like the LGM. It has no power and no depth. You're better off using a toothbrush and a cup of hot water. Seriously if you plan on taking detailing seriously spend the money and get a real machine. There's just no sense in spending bad money. Mytee makes some top notch extractors. Steamers work to a point and definatly have their uses but much to what others think a steamer and a extractor server two entirely different purposes and one should not replace the other. a steamer breaks down surface crud and some stains. and extractor will sanitize deep down. I personally feel both machines are really needed in a good detailing shop. and you will come across many instances where you will need one or the other or even both. You can get a decent HP60 or similar extractor for under $800. The Grand Prix HP 100 will be just over a grand these days at the right place. A little steep in some cases but it will pay for itself very quickly. Especially if you get into volume work. It's one of the first questions most places will ask if you have a real carpet extractor.

I don't make/charge enough to warrant spending 1000+ on equipment. This isn't my career, just something I do on the side and I was just looking for options to buy that would be better than hand scrubbing.

Originally Posted by N360LL

If you're not wanting to spend to get professional level equipment, as it appears since you said you are doing this in the summer, then why not simply buy a wet/dry shop vacuum and them use a lot of elbow grease and hand tools to get the carpets clean?

Years ago I ran a detail department at a dealership and the owners would never spend the money to get a steam cleaner or water extractor for reasons that lots of sense but it simply meant that my staff and I spent time with the shop vacuum and scrub brushes.

That is what I do right now, but it doesn't seem to be as effective. What kind of product do you work into the carpet with the brushes?