Steam Cleaner or Carpet Extractor

**Mickelson'sProDetailing** · 03-16-2008, 07:17 PM

Hello my name is cory. I am new to this forum, and im excited to see how involved everyone is here with the automotive appearance industry. I see alot of detailers, thats great. I am actually launching my company Mickelson's Professional Automotive Detailing the first of april, already got some appointments lined up. Anyways, i have used carpets extractors in the past with good results, but i recently ran across someone who suggested using a steam cleaner for the interior as it will be more thorough, and capable of cleaning a variety of different materials. I would like to know what your experience with upholstery steam cleaners is, and what you would recommend. Thank you for your time and input.

**sparkie** · 03-16-2008, 08:19 PM

Welcome to AGOL.
As of right now I don't have an extractors. I need one, and I have been looking for one that is not so dog gone high..LOL...I believe they are made out of gold....

**jesselyons2002** · 03-17-2008, 12:16 AM

Desiderio vapor steamer is both a steam cleaner and hot water extractor.

**mingraygt** · 03-17-2008, 05:46 AM

Originally Posted by sparkie

Welcome to AGOL.
As of right now I don't have an extractors. I need one, and I have been looking for one that is not so dog gone high..LOL...I believe they are made out of gold....

I hear that! Those things are way to rich for me!

**ryandamartini** · 03-17-2008, 11:20 AM

steam cleaner shmeem cleaner. Thats what oxiclean, Carpet Cleaner, and Woolite with a buffer scrub brush and a shop vac is for!

THey are sooo expensive tho

**Mickelson'sProDetailing** · 03-17-2008, 01:12 PM

yes they are very expensive, i found a couple steam cleaners on ebay for dirt cheap, dont know if they even work? The scrub brush is probabley the route i will be taking for the first few months. thanks for the reply everyone

**bill walsh** · 03-17-2008, 03:08 PM

i have a vapor steamer also its a vx5000 commerical not a continous fill works great also have a carpet extractor too

**Deep Gloss Auto Salon** · 03-17-2008, 04:29 PM

Originally Posted by ryandamartini

steam cleaner shmeem cleaner. Thats what oxiclean, Carpet Cleaner, and Woolite with a buffer scrub brush and a shop vac is for!

THey are sooo expensive tho

Oxi clean will fade the pigment in fibers over time

I got an extractor last week.. I never realized how much more efficient my time would be with an extractor - once you get one you will never look back

**bill walsh** · 03-18-2008, 06:38 PM

so will a vapor steamer on very dirty door panels&kool aid stains/gum

**Driven Auto Detail** · 03-18-2008, 06:48 PM

Steamers and extractors both have their place.

Steamers are great for cleaning many things, especially the interior cracks and crevices. Every cleaned a really nasty interior? Steam is a life-saver for these. Contaminants just melt away. Steam is also great for cleaning leather, carpets, and upholstery.

Extractors are great for getting out the deep down dirt and grime. You wouldn't believe what you can take out with an extractor.

With that said, I can't imagine not having one or the other. For carpets and upholstery, use steam first to melt all the dirt and grime. Then, take your extractor and suck all that gunk out. You'll be amazed what what the two machines can accomplish.