Best Commercial Carpet Cleaners – Buyer’s Guide 2022

Conference rooms, hallways, offices, hotels, or other business spaces, carpet flooring has remained one of the preferred floor options. It enhances the acoustics and appearance of workspaces and is available in multiple colors and designs. From muddy footprints to spilled wine, carpets get dirty and soiled quickly as they experience a high amount of footfall and are exposed to dirt-accumulating situations, such as accidental spills, soil, and grime, body oils, sweat, and dust.  

Carpets are difficult to clean effectively using ordinary cleaning methods. While vacuum cleaner cleans the top layer of dust and dirt, invisible particles such as skin cells, pollen, and food particles are left behind by vacuuming and get embedded into the carpet’s deeper layers; as per research, carpets can hold up to one pound of dirt and debris soil per square foot before it becomes apparent.  

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• Best Commercial Vacuum Cleaners

Regular carpet washing can accelerate the wear and tear and dull the carpet appearance. While using harsh chemicals can lead to unpleasant smells as well as adverse health effects.  While commercial carpet cleaning helps maintain and improve the carpet conditions, many businesses do not take it seriously or do not have the resources to clean it themselves effectively.  

Carpet cleaners are a one-stop, easy-to-use, affordable answer to all carpet cleaning challenges.

Commercial Carpet Cleaners

Commercial carpet cleaners can tackle deep-down dirt and dust from high-traffic areas and help preserve the appearance, color, and lifespan of your carpet by keeping it free of stains, dirt, and other debris. Commercial carpet cleaners are equipped with advanced cleaning techniques and can effectively remove deeply embedded residue from the carpet and prevent it from getting into the air. These machines pack powerful cleaning and sanitizing capabilities into an easy-to-handle unit. They are equipped with multiple accessories and specially-designed attachments to handle different types of carpets effectively.

Carpet cleaners are programmed to reach the dirt left behind by vacuum, and as per research, some carpet cleaners can cleanse carpets up to 10 times cleaner than using vacuuming alone. Like a vac, carpet cleaners come in different shapes, sizes, and colors. They are also quite versatile, and many models can clean hard-floor, upholstery, and even stairs. Carpet cleaners also help restore the carpets’ natural appearance and texture and promote a uniform carpet appearance.

How does a Carpet Cleaner work?

Carpet cleaners combine specifically formulated cleansing solutions, powerful scrubbing brushes, and vacuum suction to effectively clean deeply embedded dirt. These machines inject a mixture of cleaning solution and water deep into the carpet fibers. Brushes then agitate, scrub and loosen the grime, dirt, and/or stain and lift it away using robust vacuum suction. Carpet cleaners come with two tanks, a clean tank for storing water, and the cleaning solution, while another tank holds the dirty water after the solution is sprayed onto the carpet and collected.

Why Buy when you can Rent?

If you operate a business such as a hotel or office with several carpeted areas or your house consists of a lot of wall-to-wall carpeting, a carpet cleaner can go from room to room and quickly clean and dry any stain. Owning your carpet cleaning machine can save you money in the long run as you don’t need to pay rental costs. Additionally, since the device is available on the premises, it can be quickly employed to tackle stains the minute they happen and do regular maintenance cleanings to help your carpets stay looking better longer.

Carpet Cleaner Features

Carpet cleaners used to be bulky and expensive devices that were out of reach for the average customer. Even if you could afford one, they were clunky and difficult to use. Today, commercial carpet cleaners are user friendly and are available for a comparable price, both at home and for commercial purposes.

Belt Free: Like vacuum cleaners, a few carpet cleaners come with a belt that may need replacement over time, especially in case of heavy use. Belt-free units dispense with this requirement.

Brush Type: From stationary brushes to spinning brushes and rotating brushes, different brushes are needed to tackle distinct surface areas. Look for added attachments in your carpet cleaner to add additional brushes.

Tank Indicator Lights: These lights alert you when the clean-solution tank needs refilling—or the dirty-solution tank needs emptying.

Tank Shutoff: Some cleaners feature a sensor-operated cut-off that stops an extractor’s suction when the tank storing dirty solution is full.

Long Hose: The heavier the cleaner, the harder it is to maneuver. A long vacuum hose can help reach farther areas for added convenience.

Integrated Carry Handle: Helps you carry your carpet cleaner from room to room easily.

Hose & Tool: Deep Cleaners with hoses & attachments make cleaning stairs, upholstery & other hard-to-reach areas a breeze.

Hot Water Heater: Before the cleaning solution is injected into your carpet, it goes through a heater to raise the water temperate to maximize your cleaning effectiveness.

Additional Accessories: With additional accessories, carpet cleaners can perform additional cleaning tasks such as cleaning little carpet areas behind furniture or hard-to-reach corners. Some models are also equipped with extra hand tools designed to give an extra scrub on tough stains.

Things to Consider While Buying a Carpet Cleaner

Weight: Carpet cleaners can be unwieldy and cumbersome to operate.  Look for features that will make it easier to maneuver, especially if you have carpeted stairs.

Tank Capacity: Smaller tanks mean more frequent refills. The larger the cleaning-solution tank, the less often you’ll need to refill it if you clean a lot of carpet at a time—though the more liquid it carries, the more challenging the machine to maneuver. A commercial carpet cleaner with a large tank capacity can be used for a longer duration before it needs to be refilled.

Motors: The Carpet cleaner employs a motor for suction power and brush movement, a more powerful engine delivers a faster and deeper clean. At the same time, too much force can damage delicate materials and shorten the carpet life.  Many high-end commercial carpet cleaners are equipped with two or three motors that can be employed to tackle tougher stains.

Warranty: A commercial carpet cleaner is an investment and is susceptible to wear and tear. Ensure that the product comes with a warranty and covers the body parts engines and heater if it is equipped with one.

Best Commercial Carpet Cleaners (With Reviews)

1. Rug Doctor Pro Deep Commercial Cleaning Machine

The Rug Doctor Pro Deep commercial carpet-cleaning machine can remove up to 90% of embedded dirt, stains, oils, grime, and odors. The Pro Deep is a carpet shampooer, fiber scrubber, and grime extractor in one, making it an ideal unit for home and commercial use.  The machine features intuitive back and forth vacuum style operation to provide ease of cleaning.

The Rug Doctor Pro Deep commercial carpet-cleaner is awarded a Gold rating by Carpet & Rug Institute for soil removal and water removal. The machine is user-friendly and comes with easy-lift clean and dirty water tanks to provide stress-free filling and draining. The carpet cleaner includes a motorized handheld upholstery tool for detailing most upholstery, area rugs, stairs, mattresses, furniture, couch cushions, car interiors, dog bed, pets’ places, and car interiors.

The Rug Doctor Pro commercial carpet-cleaner includes two large-capacity, 1.5-gallon tanks (one in front and one in back) and a built-in measuring cup. The machine comes with digital indicator lights that alert the user when the cleaning solution is empty or a brush-roll jam. A 2-year consumer warranty backs the Pro Deep commercial cleaner.

Pros

• Large wheels and fold-down handle
• Powerful Jet Operation
• Easy to setup
• Efficient Stain Removal

Cons

• Small Tank size
• Challenging to clean after use

Why Buy:  The Rug Doctor Pro Deep commercial carpet-cleaner provides effective deep carpet cleaning, and its versatility makes it an ideal choice for areas with heavy footfall.

2. Bissell BigGreen Commercial BG10 Deep Cleaning 2 Motor Extractor Machine

The Bissell BigGreen BG10 is a two-motor carpet shampooer, scrubber, and cleaning device. The machine features a 9-foot hose that enables easy cleaning of carpeted stairs and can also be used on couches and armchairs. The Bissell BG10 comes with two motors, one for turning the cleaning brushes, while the other runs the suction function.

The BG10 generates 26 psi of pressure while the brush rotates at 3200 rpm. The commercial cleaner includes a 25 ft cord for hassle-free cleaning. The machine comes with a 10-inch cleaning path and delivers powerful edge-to-edge suction. The BG10 comes with a foldable handle, making it easier to store in small spaces or transportation. The BG10 has V rated plastics for higher fire resistance.

Made from polypropylene, the Bissell BigGreen comes with a flow indicator that monitors water & solution levels and lets you know when it’s time to refill the tank. The BG10 comes with two large-capacity tanks that can be removed for easy filling. The BG10 has a thicker gauge, longer detachable cord, and features a Dirt Lifter(R) Power Brush and easy-clean brush roller. The Bissell BG10 comes with a 1-year warranty.

Pros

• Comfortable to fill, empty, and clean tanks
• Easy to remove and clean brushes
• The power cord can easily be changed
• Handle folds down for easy storage
• Heavy-duty scrubbing and powerful suction
• Cleans forward and backward.
• Long 25-foot power chord.

Cons

• A bit heavy and cumbersome to maneuver
• No accessories included

Why Buy: The Bissell BG10 does an excellent job of cleaning carpets and is a worthwhile investment for commercial cleaning services or anyone who has pets or kids.

3. Sandia Spotter 50-1000 Carpet Extractor

The Sandia 50-1000 spot extractor delivers quick spot-cleaning carpets, rugs, and upholstery and is ideal for healthcare facilities, hotels, offices, or retail businesses. The machine’s 55 PSI pump delivers extracting solution into carpet, rugs, or textiles to remove soil and features a 2-stage Ametek 804 Watt / 100 CFM vacuum motor that promptly retrieves spent solution for faster carpet drying. The Sandia carpet cleaner comes with a 3-gallon solution and a 3-gallon recovery tank.

The Sandia 50-1000 spot extractor is made from a durable, roto-molded polyethylene body that resists dents, chips, and cracks. Its smooth-glide slide-out molded carrying handle and double ball-bearing urethane wheels ensure easy mobility.  The machine includes a 20′ 16/3-gauge safety power cord, a 7’-foot vacuum hose, a 7′ solution hose, and a 4″ transparent view upholstery tool. It requires a 115V connection to operate. Sandia offers a lifetime warranty on the carpet cleaner body, a two-year warranty on motor and pump, a one-year warranty on electrical components, and a 90-days warranty on tools and accessories.

Pros

• Compact and Lightweight
• Portable
• Durable Roto-molded polyethylene body 

Cons

• Hose build-quality
• Need to disconnect hose before draining the tank

Why Buy:  The small and compact Sandia 50-1000 spot extractor provides efficient cleaning services and is an ideal unit for multiple commercial facilities.

4. EDIC Galaxy Commercial Carpet Cleaning Extractor

The EDIC Galaxy 2000 is a commercial-grade carpet cleaner and is well suited for high-end hotel contract work, enterprise situations, restaurants, and dormitories, and everywhere in between. The carpet cleaner features a dual tank, with a 12-gallon capacity solution tank, while the recovery tank holds 11 gallons. The Galaxy 2000 comes with a pair of vacuum motors that deliver up to 150″ of lift.

The EDIC Galaxy 2000 comes with an optional 2000-watt external heater that provides a continuous heating source at 210 degrees. Since the heating source is external, it increases the lifespan of internal components as they are not exposed to 210 degrees heat. The machine includes 50-foot power cables, a 25-foot vacuum hose, and a 25-foot solution hose, in addition to a hose bag designed to help you keep the hose assembly in place.

The EDIC Galaxy 2000 is equipped with four wheels and a push handle. The machine comes with a two-year warranty on parts and labor, while the polyethylene body comes with a lifetime warranty. The heater core comes with a lifetime warranty against manufacturer defects.

Pros

• External Heater
• Easy draining
• Easy to clean and maintain

Cons

• Low warranty on machine considering the price

Why Buy: The EDIC Galaxy 2000 delivers effective performance, comes with dual motors, and is equipped with a sufficiently long hose. The industrial-grade carpet cleaner is above and beyond what most people will need for single-family homes; if you are looking for a carpet cleaner for your business or your meticulous home, this is worth considering.

5. JaniLink Premium 500 PSI Portable Carpet Extractor Machine

The JANILINK 500 is a commercial-grade extractor that is powerful enough to clean any room size with its three 2-stage high-performance motors that deliver a high cfm with 228 inches of water-lifting power. The 500-psi pump ensures that the jets penetrate deeply into the carpet fibers, quickly breaking up dirt and other unwanted material that can be pumped out from the 11-gallon solution tank and vacuumed back into the 13-gallon recovery tank. The pump can be adjusted to tackle virtually any situation, from tough cleaning stains to delicate carpet cleaning.

The JANILINK 500 includes two powerful 1000-watt water heaters, which heat up quickly to provide additional cleaning power while sanitizing the area. The heaters can be operated alone or combined to provide added versatility. The commercial-grade cleaner is built from durable roto-molded polymers that won’t crack or chip. Four large wheels offer easy maneuverability and do not mark the floor.

The JANILINK 500 comes with a patented 2 Jet self-adjusting wand that maximizes suction power at different angles or operator heights. The wand enables the extractor on multiple floor types, from carpet, tiles, and concrete floor. This high-end commercial-grade carpet extractor kit comes with six essential tools, including two wands, a powerful spot removing chemical, a 4″ detail tool, and a spot removing power tool with a bonnet pad for all carpet cleaning needs.

Pros

• Exceptionally powerful
• Adjustable pump
• Large Water tank capacity
• Dual heating systems
• Can be used on multiple floor types

Cons

• Heavy unit
• Not easy to operate

Why Buy:  The heavy-duty JaniLink 500 carpet extractor can conquer any flooring or cleaning requirement. The machine is portable and can be wheeled around where required.

Maintenance Tips to Use a Carpet Cleaner

Commercial Carpet Cleaner uses a very high amount of power, and some models also work with water and heater, hence be extra careful while using the machine. If possible, plug the device into an outlet with a ground-fault circuit interrupter.

Use a vacuum over the carpet before deploying the carpet cleaner to track the large debris, making it easier to deep clean.

When using the carpet cleaner for an extended period, wear hearing protection to protect from a high amount of noise.

Do not walk or place the furniture until the carpet is completely dry.

Empty and clean the dirty water tank after every use and before storing the carpet cleaner.

Check the carpet cleaner’s brush roll after each use and clean any debris that has been attached. If the brush is detachable, remove, and wash with hot water.

If you used your hose & tool, ensure to rinse and dry them before storing them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should you clean your carpet?

Carpets should be deep cleaned at regular periods to preserve their appearance, color and improve its longevity. Manufacturers recommend deep cleaning the carpets at least two times annually. If you have children, pets, or the rug is put in high footfall areas; the carpets should be cleaned with a carpet cleaner at least four times a year. If a stain appears on your carpet – especially those tricky to remove once dries – treat them immediately.

Does carpet cleaners are effective on all carpets and fabrics?

Carpet cleaners are competent and effective on most types of carpets; however, a rug made out of wool requires extra care. Carpets made from upholstery fabrics, silk, and velvet, should not be deep cleaned. Always ensure to follow the carpet manufacturer’s treatment guidelines before using a carpet cleaner.

How Long it Takes for the Carpets to Dry After Cleaning?

It is ideal to allow drying time of six to eight hours before you can walk on your carpet as it may flatten the fibers. It is recommended to wait two days before placing heavy furniture back onto the carpet.