Carpets are wonderful for protecting floors as well making any room more comfortable and inviting. However, with carpets come carpet stains. Removing carpet stains can be a tough job, and more often than not, steam cleaning will be necessary. Professional cleaning services are not the only option, as home carpet steam cleaners are widely available and come with features to make cleaning carpets a less back-breaking task.

Upright carpet steam cleaners work by converting water into steam, which is then injected into the carpet fibers. Rolling brushes agitate the fibers to loosen the dirt, and both the water and the dirt are then vacuumed away. Various cleaning products can be added to the water to dissolve stains and increase cleaning power, including products aimed at pet stains or high-traffic areas. The rolling brushes also act to groom the carpet by separating the fibers as they loosen dirt. Upright steamers are as easy to handle as vacuums, though perhaps a little heavier with the addition of the water. Most models come with attachments to make specific jobs easier, such as stairs and tight corners.

Smaller versions of carpet steam cleaners can be found and are often called spot cleaners like the Bissell Spot Bot, due to their portability. Spot cleaners are generally handheld models that can be carried to particular stains, and are often used to steam clean upholstery as well as carpets. Using portable steam cleaners are ideal for cleaning the upholstery in cars, boats, and RVs.

Carpets add both comfort and attractiveness to any room in the house, but keeping them clean can be time-consuming task. Carpet steam cleaners are often necessary to keep carpets looking new. The heated steam and rolling brushes act to both clean and groom carpet fibers, and most steam cleaner models come with onboard attachments for those hard to reach areas. Portable carpet steamers are ideal for spot treatments, and are compact enough for use on car upholstery as well. Both upright and portable carpet steam cleaners can be found in most home and department stores, as well as from online retailers.