Hot water Extractor/steamer/shampoo-er?

[anson89]

Not sure what`s the difference between those, but I`ve been seeing some amazing results on carpet/leather interior cleaning! Detailing is a side/weekend job for me and am looking to invest in one of those, but spending $500 to $600 is a little too much for now. Any other recommendations?



I came across this:



BISSELL | Little Green® ProHeat (http://www.bissell.com/ProductDetail.aspx?id=2865)

[nyyankees22]

Lots of people like that machine, but it can`t do everything so we all eventually upgrade to an extractor some point down the road...not a bad machine for starters though

[LS1-MEX]

no need for a extractor...just do it the old fashion way......i challenge any extractor against me and my scrubs brushes and wet vac......

[vtec92civic]

no need for a extractor...just do it the old fashion way......i challenge any extractor against me and my scrubs brushes and wet vac......



that is definitely old school and that`s the way i do it as well. Even with a real extractor you are still suppose to vacuum and spot clean prior to extracting anyways.



The Little Green Machine is perfect.

[LS1-MEX]

when u get an extractor your just paying alot of money to add more steps and time to your interior detailing.....

[white gecko]

I have to disagree here, extractors are far better than cleaning by hand solo. You have to know how to use it right though. A shop vac just isn`t strong enough to remove everything. And most good extractors start around 700 and go way up from there. It may not be the economical choice for everyone, but it is a better tool and yields better results.



I wouldn`t bother with an extractor that doesn`t heat ($600 avg), the heat makes a HUGE difference. 210 degree water will break up just about anything.



Steamers are good too and are generally more affordable.





A quick example...







http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/121-1.jpg





http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/128.jpg



















THIS is what came out of that carpet. Doing it by hand (or even with a shop vac) will NOT get all of this.





















http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2vettes019.jpg



http://i209.photobucket.com/albums/bb71/immaculate_reflections_showcase/2vettes020.jpg

[Barry Theal]

Im old school, a shop vac, airline, and some brushes!!!

[levander]

I came across this:



BISSELL | Little Green® ProHeat (http://www.bissell.com/ProductDetail.aspx?id=2865)



Bissell`s got a black one of those they market specifically for car care. I think I saw somewhere that it has an extra crevice attachment that that green one doesn`t have.

[sparklescarwash]

I toatly agree with gofast I use a malco 9 gallon 200 degree extractor.There is no way a shopvac can beat an industrial extractor. The new interiors with cloth seats are next to impossible to clean without a good extractor.ford has some of the hardest to clean i used to strugle not any more since I upgraded to an extractor. There is no way a shop vac can beat a extractor I will guarantee you that. lets see if you can get cat pee out with a shopvac.

[imported_Jakerooni]

I`m also with gofast on this one. You can make something look half way decent but if you want a real clean then you need to extract the carpets. I can vacuum the carpet at my house and it`s ok for the time being I guess but a couple times a year I`ll bring the extractor in and get it really clean. Same can be said for just about ever other facet of detailing... Lots of guys swear they can make paint perfect by hand. But use a D/A or a rotary and you can take it to that next level. You`re not adding steps and wasting time. You`re doing the job right and giving a better clean for the customers dollars.

[proudpoppa]

I`m also with gofast on this one. You can make something look half way decent but if you want a real clean then you need to extract the carpets. I can vacuum the carpet at my house and it`s ok for the time being I guess but a couple times a year I`ll bring the extractor in and get it really clean. Same can be said for just about ever other facet of detailing... Lots of guys swear they can make paint perfect by hand. But use a D/A or a rotary and you can take it to that next level. You`re not adding steps and wasting time. You`re doing the job right and giving a better clean for the customers dollars.





amen. couldnt have said it better.

[Accumulator]

I find steamers, extractors, and carpet brushes on a polisher are all useful. And yeah, compressed air is handy too just be thoughtful about where the air is blowing stuff *to* as well as where it blows stuff from.



Extractor vs. wet vac? Even with the carpet shampooer attachment that Sears used to sell, my wet vacs (top of the line Craftsmans) couldn`t hold a candle to my Century/Ninja extractor. Not even close, due to the extractors ability to spray *HOT* liquid with considerable pressure.