To keep your carpet looking its best, you should deep clean it occasionally. You can do it yourself by using a carpet extractor. These machines force water and a cleaning solution into your carpet and then extract it back out again, leaving your carpet clean and soft.

You can rent a carpet extractor if you only use it one or two times a year. They can be found easily at grocery stores and hardware stores for overnight rental. You should also purchase carpet cleaning supplies such as the cleaning solution and pre-treatment foam.

If your carpets get a lot of wear like in an office or public building, then you may clean them more often. In that case, you may want to buy your own extractor so it will be on hand for anytime your carpets need a quick cleaning.

A carpet extractor has a solution tank. Some models have see-through tanks that make it easier to tell when it is time to empty and refill. The extractor also has a collection reservoir that collects the dirty water after it is sucked out of your carpet. This may need to be emptied periodically as you clean. The machine also has a roller brush on the bottom that helps work the solution into your carpet and loosens dirt and debris.

When you use a carpet extractor, it is important that you do not get your carpets too wet. The extractor removes water but it is not able to leave your carpets completely dry. Keep the extractor moving and do not let it sit in one place for very long. Do not make more than one sweep over the same area of carpeting. If you do need to give an area of your carpet extra attention, be sure to run the machine over the area one or two times in extraction mode only so you can get as much water out of your carpet as possible.

If you leave your carpets too wet, they may start to mildew before they can dry. To help your carpets dry more quickly, turn up the heat or the air conditioning to reduce humidity in the room.

The best practice to follow when using a carpet extractor is to apply a carpet spot cleaner to any stains before you begin. You may also want to use cleaning foam on high traffic areas. After your carpet has been pre-treated, you are ready to begin using your carpet cleaning machine.

Be sure to follow the directions that come with your carpet extractor in regards to the type of cleaning solutions to add to the tank and how to protect yourself from injury. You should also ensure that your type of carpet will withstand being treated with water and powerful vacuum extraction. Some delicate fibers like silk may require professional cleaning in order to prevent damage.