Does anyone out there (I'm sure there are) have both a shop vac AND a hot water carpet extractor? I have a nice shop wet/dry vac(RIGID 6.0hp 14 gal. I think), but, if I had the means, would it be advisable to have both? I am somewhat of a toy guy, I like to have tools, and I always buy the best. I don't like to think that "I'm missing something". I welcome all thoughts, opinions, and experiences regarding this issue. Thanks
SHOP VAC vs HOT WATER EXTRACTOR?
- Thread starter TDMAN
- Start date
Beemerboy
Just One More Coat
TDMAN
Do a search on the little green machine here. There was a lot of talk about this on that thread. I have both not a super high end model heated extractor but I like having both for different reason. I'm only a weekend detailer so the LGM fits my needs, but I do wish I had a Mytee extractor
Do a search on the little green machine here. There was a lot of talk about this on that thread. I have both not a super high end model heated extractor but I like having both for different reason. I'm only a weekend detailer so the LGM fits my needs, but I do wish I had a Mytee extractor
I think it is a good idea to have both. I use the wet/dry vac for the initial vac, to pickup any sand, hair, misc. food (ie. goldfish or cookie crumbs). Then use the hot water extractor (acually I only have a Bissell Little Green w/ Proheat) to extract after scrubbing the carpets with carpet cleaner (Megs. APC+).
I wouldn't want to try to suck up all of the sand and garbage with an extractor. The Bissell doesn't have enough power and I wouldn't want to damage a good, thousand dollar plus extractor.
Both have their place in my carpet cleaning regimine.
I wouldn't want to try to suck up all of the sand and garbage with an extractor. The Bissell doesn't have enough power and I wouldn't want to damage a good, thousand dollar plus extractor.
Both have their place in my carpet cleaning regimine.
Both the LGM and the Ridgid are different tools for different purposes.
I have a WD1665 (16Gal / 6.5HP) Ridgid that does a pretty decent job at cleaning light stains on carpet / upholstery. Need to use warm/hot water, and a fair amount of elbow grease.
With your 6HP Ridgid, you aren't really missing out on anything... IMO it's not really worth the extra to get an extractor as well if you're not detailing as a business.
I have a WD1665 (16Gal / 6.5HP) Ridgid that does a pretty decent job at cleaning light stains on carpet / upholstery. Need to use warm/hot water, and a fair amount of elbow grease.
With your 6HP Ridgid, you aren't really missing out on anything... IMO it's not really worth the extra to get an extractor as well if you're not detailing as a business.
Hawaiianelement
I love silicone !!
I have a Mobile business and use my hot water extractor alot . I don't have a strong enough generator to run it so I need to plug in at their house. For this I ask ahead of time . When I bought it from the detail supply shop they gave me free bucket of the powder detergent to mix in the resorvoir but it smells like wet dog and chemicals. So I just use the extr. w/water only . I use GSR's oxy/apc/h20 mix to get out stains and then the extractor for the quick drying time and extra power vacuuming.
What I'm trying to say is that I spent 1K and just use it for a hot water vacuum. It works great for faster drying times but if its just for personal I suggest using your wet vac . If for business , its a great selling point ..
What I'm trying to say is that I spent 1K and just use it for a hot water vacuum. It works great for faster drying times but if its just for personal I suggest using your wet vac . If for business , its a great selling point ..
wifehatescar
My L5-S1 is killing me!
I have used the shop vac method the past year for my p/t business, I'm now on the verge of ordering an Aztec $600 heated extractor because:
1. My current method of cleaning does not use heated water.
2. spraying water from the extractor would be quicker than using a spray bottle or a hose nozzle on the "mist" setting.
I made enough profit this year to afford one...it's not needed to do a "decent" job but I think it is needed to do a "professional" job. JMO.
1. My current method of cleaning does not use heated water.
2. spraying water from the extractor would be quicker than using a spray bottle or a hose nozzle on the "mist" setting.
I made enough profit this year to afford one...it's not needed to do a "decent" job but I think it is needed to do a "professional" job. JMO.
Ed Hartman
New member
Im a professional carpet cleaner and a novelist detailer. If it were me and I was in this business to make money and be the best at what I do, no doubt I would get a Portable Hot Water Extractor. It's the best way to clean the interior of cars. And I would make sure you pick out a good one and not skimp on your tools. A Bissel and all those other little cheap squirt and suck machines cannot give you the performance of a good portable.