steam Cleaners VS extractors

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ChevyFan

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Wondering if anyone can run down the advantages of steam cleaners over extractors, and vice versa. What they can accomplish, uses, etc. Do you need both, or one over the other. Thanks
 
ChevyFan said:
Wondering if anyone can run down the advantages of steam cleaners over extractors, and vice versa. What they can accomplish, uses, etc. Do you need both, or one over the other. Thanks
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You can only do one thing with an extractor whereas a steamer is more versatile. If you can afford it, get both of them.
 
An extractor is just for the deep cleaning of carpets. It forces hot water and detergent deep into the nap of carpet, and then draws it out with a powerful vacuum. A steam cleaner only cleans surfaces that are exposed. A steam cleaner can clean the very top of carpets quite well, but I doubt that it will achieve the very thorough deep cleaning than an extractor can.
 
Two different machines that just happen to have a few (very few) applications that're sorta in common. Not an either/or type of situation IMO. I hardly *ever* have to ask myself which one to use because they're just so different.



An extractor *extracts*; it's primarily a wet-vacuum that (sprays solution and) sucks stuff up. Steamers spray steam.



Now the machines that combine the two are a different animal, but they're kinda pricey.
 
Accumulator said:
Now the machines that combine the two are a different animal, but they're kinda pricey.
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And, from what I've heard at least, the machines that combine both functions in one machine tend not to perform either task as well as a separate machine dedicated to each function separately.



Not to mention if you're in a professional setting having a combination machine could be far more costly -- if the steamer or extractor goes out and it's tied to your "other machine," you're left without a steamer AND an extractor while the unit is in for repairs. Downtime like that isn't good for business.
 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
And, from what I've heard at least, the machines that combine both functions in one machine tend not to perform either task as well as a separate machine dedicated to each function separately.



Not to mention if you're in a professional setting having a combination machine could be far more costly -- if the steamer or extractor goes out and it's tied to your "other machine," you're left without a steamer AND an extractor while the unit is in for repairs. Downtime like that isn't good for business.
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optima makes a nice combo machine. not sure if the steam function works independently of the extractor, but its probably not relevant if the machine is gone in for repair of either function.
 
i own a dupray hill injection and a mytee hp60(both pretty much top of the line in their class size)and although they both perform decently well separately i wish i had the carmen inox steamer/vac instead. would have been about the same price total, but like others said if it needs servicing thats a problem, plus i thought i really needed that extra psi and heat that the hill injection offered but it didnt really make a difference.

if i could do it again id definitely try the combo unit. at the very least the carmen inox, or if possible id go for the steam box with the optional vacuum attachment.
 
Jaynick-- I was looking at the hill injection... Does the flow come out fast enough to wash the exterior of the car efficiently...Or is it time consuming? Also, how is it as far as stain removal on interior carpet. I was looking at the carmen inox, but I was just thinking of using the hill injection with my shop vac...
 
The Bissel Little Green Machine is a nice little extractor for the price(100) if you aren't looking to get a top of the line extractor. If I had to choose between the 2, I would get a LGM and a top of the line steamer, the steamer is much more versatile and can blast stuff out of crevices nothing else could, and could also spot treat carpets.
 
Does anyone own the carmen inox? i am also considering buying one but i would like to get some insight from someone who has used it.
 
well, I pulled the trigger on a steamcleaner after weeks of research and I feel the best bang for the buck was the VC 4000-C. Got it from the same guy that sells the VX5000. It has a higher PSI, bigger boiler, hot water injection, and is continuous fill.... Pretty good for just around 1,000. Cant wait till it gets here!
 
ChevyFan said:
well, I pulled the trigger on a steamcleaner after weeks of research and I feel the best bang for the buck was the VC 4000-C. Got it from the same guy that sells the VX5000. It has a higher PSI, bigger boiler, hot water injection, and is continuous fill.... Pretty good for just around 1,000. Cant wait till it gets here!
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Any follow-up comments on the VC4000?
 
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