Looking to buy a steam cleaner.. need advice!

Kristopher1129 said:
No sense in choosing between an extractor, and a steamer. You need both. One can not replace the other by any means. Very different tools.

That's like trying to choose between a buffer, or a vacuum, ha. Get both!
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Some steamers can also be used as extractors. Probably the cheapest one in that are would be the Desiderio, an expensive version would be the DuPray Carmen Super Inox.

So you can have one machine that does both.
 
AeroCleanse said:
Some steamers can also be used as extractors. Probably the cheapest one in that are would be the Desiderio, an expensive version would be the DuPray Carmen Super Inox.

So you can have one machine that does both.
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I'm sure some steamers can do a good job on carpet as well. But if you have a real mess, which is very likely to happen if you run a detail business. An extractor is a must. A lot of times it's necessary to have that hot water flow in and out of the carpet fibers. It helps breakdown dirt/grime/ etc. and sucks it up much easier.

Some steamers have vacuums attached like the one you mentioned. But they're more than a thousand dollars. Why not just pay $600-$800 for a nice extractor, and then get a cheaper steam cleaner. Then you have both. If the plan is to offer your service to customers...you have to have both.

Guaranteed if he doesn't get an extractor...there will be times he wished that he did. Where as the steam cleaner...I could do without, I just prefer to have it around. Just my two cents. :cheers:
 
Kristopher1129 said:
I'm sure some steamers can do a good job on carpet as well. But if you have a real mess, which is very likely to happen if you run a detail business. An extractor is a must. A lot of times it's necessary to have that hot water flow in and out of the carpet fibers. It helps breakdown dirt/grime/ etc. and sucks it up much easier.

Some steamers have vacuums attached like the one you mentioned. But they're more than a thousand dollars. Why not just pay $600-$800 for a nice extractor, and then get a cheaper steam cleaner. Then you have both. If the plan is to offer your service to customers...you have to have both.

Guaranteed if he doesn't get an extractor...there will be times he wished that he did. Where as the steam cleaner...I could do without, I just prefer to have it around. Just my two cents. :cheers:
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I'd have to agree with you. I bought myself a steamer first thinking I don't need the extractor. Well now I'm going to be purchasing an extractor in the near future. Wish I had just spent the money on the extractor first. Because like you said I probably could have done without the steamer. But it does come in handy.
 
I bought an extractor first, it didn't do a good job, so I sold it and got the steamer.
 
AeroCleanse said:
I bought an extractor first, it didn't do a good job, so I sold it and got the steamer.
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What kind of steamer do you have? I like your website by the way. What is this European crystalline coating you offer that has a 5 year warranty?? Sounds interesting! :xyxthumbs:
 
Kristopher1129 said:
What kind of steamer do you have? I like your website by the way. What is this European crystalline coating you offer that has a 5 year warranty?? Sounds interesting! :xyxthumbs:
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I have a Unilux 3000 steamer. Not the best, I'd like one with continuous fill and water injection. You get what you can afford at the time.

The product is GTechniq C1.
 
Kristopher1129 said:
I'm sure some steamers can do a good job on carpet as well. But if you have a real mess, which is very likely to happen if you run a detail business. An extractor is a must. A lot of times it's necessary to have that hot water flow in and out of the carpet fibers. It helps breakdown dirt/grime/ etc. and sucks it up much easier.

Some steamers have vacuums attached like the one you mentioned. But they're more than a thousand dollars. Why not just pay $600-$800 for a nice extractor, and then get a cheaper steam cleaner. Then you have both. If the plan is to offer your service to customers...you have to have both.

Guaranteed if he doesn't get an extractor...there will be times he wished that he did. Where as the steam cleaner...I could do without, I just prefer to have it around. Just my two cents. :cheers:
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Thanks everyone! This sounds like a good idea, buy an extractor and a cheap steamer.
 
I have the Gaia 3 in 1 (steam, extractor, vacuum) which is made by Vaporclean. I have had it for 2 years. It is an awesome machine. If the carpet is nasty, I will use the extractor part of it. If not too bad, I wrap white terry towels around the steam head and do it that way. You have no idea how powerful a tool that is to use the steam IN COMBINATION WITH the terry towels. It will make you sick to see the crap that gets absorbed into the terry's. I try to use as few cleaners as possible on carpets b/c if you leave soap residue in there, it will ATTRACT dirt in the future and the carpets will look awful down the road. If you have to use a lot of soap to get out the stains, and sometimes you do, then follow it up with a spray bottle of vinegar. The vinegar will cut the soap and eliminate that problem. Vinegar added to the recovery tank of an extractor will cut down on the foam too. I highly recommend the Gaia and it's in the $700 range. I recommend it from experience.
 
mcpp66 said:
I have the VX5000 and the Aztec Hot Rod. Love them both!
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I have both of them as well. After I got the VX5000, I quite using the Aztec. The VX5000 cleans up everything very well. If I try to follow the VX with the Aztec, the Aztec does not do anything, in the way of cleaning since the VX did it all.

Just get the VX5000.

My $.02
 
SRHTX said:
I have both of them as well. After I got the VX5000, I quite using the Aztec. The VX5000 cleans up everything very well. If I try to follow the VX with the Aztec, the Aztec does not do anything, in the way of cleaning since the VX did it all.

Just get the VX5000.

My $.02
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That's great to hear!!! My biggest worry about goin for the vx5000 is the effectiveness on carpets ---- will have mine within a week - been put off way too long!
 
B&B Tennessee said:
That's great to hear!!! My biggest worry about goin for the vx5000 is the effectiveness on carpets ---- will have mine within a week - been put off way too long!
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Just keep in mind that you do not always have to use a steamer for leather seats, seats or carpet. Optimum Power Clean does clean leather seats and carpets very well, as long as you dilut it. Woolite diluted works very well on leather with the VX5000.
 
SRHTX said:
I have both of them as well. After I got the VX5000, I quite using the Aztec. The VX5000 cleans up everything very well. If I try to follow the VX with the Aztec, the Aztec does not do anything, in the way of cleaning since the VX did it all.

Just get the VX5000.

My $.02
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But the VX5000 is only a steamer unit, right? I would have to get an extractor to do what I want to do, which is mainly, carpet (auto/home). On top, I would get a cheap steamer.
 
SRHTX said:
Just keep in mind that you do not always have to use a steamer for leather seats, seats or carpet. Optimum Power Clean does clean leather seats and carpets very well, as long as you dilut it. Woolite diluted works very well on leather with the VX5000.
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Thanks for the info!
 
I own a VX-5000 and a Mytee HP60. Love the VX-5000 vapor steamer and only like my HP-60 hot water extractor. The vacuum add-on for the mytee is a waste in my opinion. Loses vacuum lift quickly, after cleaning it's filter!

Remember a cheap vapor steamer will have a wetter ouput(bad for working with interiors!).


Do a google search on: NB2300
Could be a game changer in vapor steamers at the right price? I need to call and ask about the price, I'm sure I won't be able to afford it!
 
TerryAdams said:
I own a VX-5000 and a Mytee HP60. Love the VX-5000 vapor steamer and only like my HP-60 hot water extractor. The vacuum add-on for the mytee is a waste in my opinion. Loses vacuum lift quickly, after cleaning it's filter!

Remember a cheap vapor steamer will have a wetter ouput(bad for working with interiors!).


Do a google search on: NB2300
Could be a game changer in vapor steamers at the right price? I need to call and ask about the price, I'm sure I won't be able to afford it!
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I think the NB2300 is about $2500
 
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