by Sharon Cullars

Created on: June 13, 2008   Last Updated: June 18, 2008

Keeping your carpet as fresh and clean as the first day you laid it down takes a combination of care, effort and the right carpet cleaning equipment. Dust, shoe traffic, pet dander and other particles eventually wear on your carpet, diminishing its attractiveness and longevity, as well as creating a health hazard. You don't want dirt and stains to settle, or even worse, allow an environment for bacteria, dust mites and other allergens to accumulate. That's why it is important that you have the right combination of carpet cleaning equipment to maintain your carpet.

Your most basic equipment is probably in your closet or storage area right now. A good vacuum cleaner is worth more than the price of the fanciest carpet or flooring because without a vacuum, you eventually lose the value of your flooring investment. An efficient vacuum will not only pick up dirt but will have the suction power to rid your carpet fibers of dust mites and their droppings. It is not a good feeling to realize your carpet is home to a whole microcosm of parasitic creatures, but even the best cleaning efforts sometimes can't rid you of them. In some cases, certain vacuums even worsen the hazard by stirring up the mites and dispersing them in the air. It is important that you find a vacuum cleaner engineered to filter mites into vacuum bags instead of into the air. High efficiency particular air (HEPA) vacuums are designed to do just this.

Vacuum attachments are crucial carpet cleaning equipment, as well. Filters and bags are especially important to environmentally efficient disposal. Some newer vacuum models even have indicator lights to let you know when it's time to replace your bag. Keeping a bag too long or not cleaning your filter regularly will reduce your vacuum's suction and efficiency, and eventually dust and other hazards will disperse back into your carpet and air. There are models of bagless vacuums available but note that cleaning some of their filters can be very messy and time-consuming.

If you have pets, you will appreciate the attachment brush that comes along with most vacuums. Brushes pick up the multitude of stray hairs and dander from carpets, furniture and stairs. And they're easy to clean once used.

Different hose nozzles let you get at hard to reach places as well as remove dirt and dust from curtains, mattresses, upholstery and stairs. Other nozzles are designed for other flooring or wet carpet cleaning.

A deep cleaner shampooer is another piece of carpet cleaning equipment that ensures thorough cleaning. Instead of calling in professional carpet cleaners, many home owners often purchase their own shampooer sets that can include extractors, scrubbers as well as dryers. Most vacuum shampooers and cleaning sets come with solutions to work on deep and set-in stains as well as regular dirt. If you decide to purchase a steam extractor, find one that creates temperatures as high as 200 degrees Fahrenheit or more for deeper cleaning and sterilization. Also make sure you get a good water filtration system and dryer that rinses and dries your carpeting thoroughly otherwise mold and mildew can set in.

Between vacuuming and shampooing, your carpet may pick up lint and small stains. It isn't always convenient to do major vacuuming every time you find stray crumbs and other dirt. Handheld vacuums come in handy for these situations. You can choose from cordless, HEPAs, or rechargeable cordless to keep your carpet clean during those inconvenient "between times."

Whatever carpet cleaning equipment you choose, be sure it is high-quality and efficient. In the long run, investing in good carpet cleaning equipment will save you money as well as keep your carpet clean and beautiful for many years to come.

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