Carpets get dirty really quickly. As they are made of thin fibres with a lot of turning and twisting, the dirt gets incorporated in those turns, which is really difficult to remove.
A normal vacuum cleaner removes the dirt from the surface only. To clean those fibres, deep cleaning is necessary.
Deep cleaning can be done by various machines. A carpet extractor and even a shop vac can be used for this purpose.
But there are some major differences between these two machines, which you should keep in mind before purchasing them.
Do you want to know what carpet extractor and a shop vac is? Looking for the difference between these two, and carpet extractor vs shop vac?
Read this article to the end.
Last update on 2024-09-10 at 18:48 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What is a Carpet Extractor?
Video: “CARPET EXTRACTOR”
A carpet extractor is a machine, which sprays water or a cleaning solution on the carpet, and then extracts this solution, which now contains dirt as well.
Normal vacuuming is not enough to keep the carpets clean. Carpets should be washed or deep cleaned thoroughly once or twice a year. A carpet extractor is used to deep clean a dirty carpet.
They work similarly to a carpet cleaner. Carpet cleaner and carpet extractor are words, which are often used interchangeably.
A carpet extractor will lift any dirt, stain, or debris from the carpet to make the rug clean as new.
How does it work?
A carpet extractor works by applying a cleaning solution dissolved in hot water on the surface of the carpet. This solution will go deep into the knots of carpet fibres and blend all sorts of dust and debris with the solution.
The solution sprayed on the surface of the carpet is then extracted and absorbed by the carpet extractor and then disposed of in the machine.
The cleaning solution used in the carpet extractor should be selected according to the type of your carpet.
Some carpets cannot withstand harsh chemicals; therefore, a mild cleaning solution should be used in such cases.
- Commercial deep cleaning 2 Motor design. Clean forward & back
- Flow indicator, monitors water & solution levels and lets you know when it's time to refill the tank
- Large capacity clean water tank removes for easy filling
- Powerful edge-to-edge suction. 2 large capacity tanks
- Hose is not included with the product
Last update on 2024-09-10 at 18:48 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- It takes only a couple of hours for thorough cleaning.
- Carpet extractor makes the carpet clean as new.
- Different types of cleaning solutions can be used in it.
- It takes forever to dry.
- If the carpet is left moist, it will become a house for mold and mildew.
What is a Shop Vac?
Video: “Shop Vac Overview”
Shop vacs are way more powerful than a regular vacuum cleaner, and for this reason, a shop vac is used for heavy-duty cleaning.
It can also be used for cleaning the carpet, but usually, a shop vac is used in construction areas, and garages.
It is really useful for removing hard and big objects like screws, wooden pieces, and everything else. Unlike ordinary vacuum cleaners that suck dirt and debris, it is made to suction big items.
Normally it is used in woodworking shops and construction sites, that is why it’s termed as a shop vac.
How does it work?
Shop vacs contain a powerful motor and a wider hose than usual. It looks like a bucket vacuum, which is quite large along with a hose coming out of it. It also contains a big canister that holds up large dirt particles and debris.
A shop vac can also be used to clean the carpet thoroughly. For that, you need to put in a little more effort. You will need to make a cleaning solution separately and then apply it on the carpet.
After that, scrub the carpet very well by using a brush. This will release the dirt to the surface of the rug. You can run the shop vac on it later.
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Last update on 2024-09-10 at 16:43 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
- Shop vacs are great to clean massive trash easily.
- These vacs are ideal for working shops.
- These vacuums have a powerful motor compared to regular vacuum machines.
- Shop vacs can also deal with a wet mess.
- These vacs do not get clogged easily.
- These vacuums are really heavy.
Carpet Extractor vs Shop Vac – What are the Differences?
A carpet extractor is made specifically for carpet cleaning. Its major purpose is to deep clean the carpet by applying and then extracting the cleaning solution from the carpet.
A shop vac is majorly used in working shops, where a person has to remove a bigger mess. It has such a powerful suction that it can intake massive items like screws and wooden particles.
Carpet extractor is made to clean the home carpets, while a shop vac is used to clean areas like the garage and shops.
Carpet extractor cleans the carpet by using a liquid cleaning solution. However, a shop vac is used to clean the dry mess.
Nevertheless, you can also deep clean a carpet with the help of a shop vac. But for that, you will need to apply and scrub the cleaning solution with hands.
A shop vac is made for commercial use, but it can also be used at homes. However, a carpet extractor is made for cleaning carpets at home.
Which one is better for Carpet Cleaning?
Both of these cleaning machines are great for the purpose they are made for.
But when it comes to carpet cleaning, a carpet extractor is the right choice.
Last update on 2024-09-10 at 18:48 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
Shop vac and carpet extractor both are great for keeping the carpet clean. However, both of them are made for different purposes.
When it comes to carpet extractor vs shop vac, we cannot choose one. You need to find the reason why you are looking for it.
If you want to clean the carpet, get a carpet extractor. If you want something to clean your garage or workshop quickly, a shop vac is a right choice.
