Carpet Cleaner Glossary

To ensure you purchase the best possible machine for your cleaning needs, it is important to understand the features available for carpet cleaners. The following are the 10 of the most popular terms associated with steam carpet cleaning machines.

1. Pressure Levels – This term refers to the force with which water or steam is ejected from the nozzle. For carpet cleaners, pressure levels can reach up to 500 psi.
2. Heated and Non-Heated Machines – Most carpet cleaners on the market today use a heating coil to heat water to high temperatures reaching up to 210°F. The use of heat offers greater cleaning power. Non heated machines do not have this feature, but they are safer for cleaning delicate and more expensive upholstery.
3. Low Flow – This refers to a specialized technology that reduces the volume of water emitted onto carpet surfaces. Low flow or low moisture machines offer minimal water consumption to quicken drying times without limiting cleaning power.
4. Carpet Extractors/Carpet Shampooers – These are alternative terms for carpet cleaners.
5. Auto Fill and Auto Dump – These features are primarily meant for industrial grade carpet cleaners. They facilitate continuous operation by automatically refilling the solution tanks and emptying out the recovery tank.
6. Solution Tank – The solution tank can be as large as 15 gallons. It is meant for holding water and detergent solutions to be applied to the carpet. Larger tanks are ideal for cleaning larger areas.
7. Recovery Tank – The recovery tank stores the dirt, water, and solution extracted from the carpet after it is cleaned.
8. Heating Element – The heating element is the component that heats water to 150-210°F. These components,only found on heated systems, can be either single tank or dual inline heating elements.
9. Heating Time – This is the time require for the water to be heated after the heating device is switched on.
10. Drying Time – This is the time required for the carpet to dry out after cleaning. Lower drying times prevent mold, bacterial growth, and unpleasant odors from forming. While some carpet cleaners have a drying time of 24 hours, Daimer® machines, such as the XPH-5900i, can reduce the drying time to as little as two hours by using low flow technology.

Daimer® supplies the industry's top of the line carpet cleaners with the best quality parts. Visit www.daimer.com for more information on these machines.