Owning your own carpet cleaning machine or shampooer can allow you to give your carpets a deep cleaning any time of year, without the hassle and expense of calling a professional. Having your own machine can also allow you to clean spots and stains on the carpet without having a company come to your home and charge you for cleaning the entire house. Before you choose your own carpet cleaning machine, note a few quick, but important tips to remember.

1. Brushes

The brush style is very important when choosing a carpet cleaning machine. Fixed brushes groom the carpet by pulling fibers back and forth, and these work to spread the shampoo over the carpet more easily. They're better for delicate fibers and carpets that may damage easily from shampooing.

Rotating brushes are better for stains and heavily soiled carpets as they rotate the bristles around the carpet fibers, allowing for a more thorough clean. However, a rotating brush can be damaging on delicate carpet fibers. It's good to know the material of your carpets and avoid using rotating brushes on anything with a silk blend. If you have pets or children or otherwise know that your carpets are dirtier than average, the rotating brushes can be the best choice.

2. Cleaning method

Not all carpet cleaning machines clean in the same way. Some are simply steam cleaners, where a spray of hot water and detergent is spread on the carpet and then pulled up with a type of vacuum or extractor. Shampooing refers to actually rubbing a carpet shampoo solution into the fibers and then extracting it. This is a more thorough method of cleaning spots and stains and for removing odors from carpets, but it may cause more wear and tear on delicate carpet fibers.

Foam cleaning uses a type of foam that is brushed into your carpet and then extracted, with only a small amount of water. This method is good for when you don't want to wait for your carpets to dry every time you shampoo them or are concerned about the amount of water used for carpet cleaning. Foam cleaning often doesn't remove stains or some odors from the carpeting, so it may not be the best choice for a very deep cleaning.

When choosing the cleaning method, be sure you use detergents, shampoos, and foams that are compatible with your carpet material and type of fibers. This will reduce your risk of damaging your carpets with each cleaning.

For more information about your options for carpet cleaning machines, contact a local retailer.