Car detailing is quite a complex process, and it can only be done perfectly with appropriate tools and equipment. Among those, one of the most important tools that is required is a good extractor for carpets and upholstery. An extractor would not only mean deep cleaning but also help keep the interior long-lasting. On the other side, choosing an appropriate extractor out of so many choices is tough. Here's a comprehensive guide that will help make an informed choice.

Know Your Needs

First of all, consider what your needs will be before considering specifications. Do you work professionally and need to do several cars per day, or do you work solely to take care of your own vehicle? If it's the latter, a more portable, much more inexpensive version may suit that infrequent requirement very well. If you are an experienced detailer, you invest in a commercial high-capacity extractor. However, as a hobbyist, a much cheaper model and portable could well fit the lesser frequency of requirements.

Important Features to Consider

There are three main features when purchasing an extractor. Number one is size, Number two is portability, and number three the power. Little extractors can be fantastic for small jobs with detailers who are not dealing with nasty cars and they end up being really really easy to tote around. in terms of size and portability but they obviously lack in power. 

When choosing an extractor, pay attention to these key features:

A) Capacity of Water Tank

The capacity of the tank determines the amount of cleaning solution and dirty water that the machine can hold. A larger tank means less frequency in refilling and emptying, which is very necessary for large-scale operations. On the other hand, if portability is your key concern, you may want a small-sized tank.

B) Suction Power

The vacuum cleaner needs to have strong suction in order to draw embedded dirt, stains, and moisture out effectively. For this reason, the vacuum's PSI, or pounds per square inch, is important, together with its water lift rating. Higher ratings equate to higher performance, which can be important if you are into professional purposes.

C) Heating ability

Many extractors come with built-in heaters that heat the water to very hot or steam it. Hot water does make cleaning easy and quick, as it degrades grease and grime. If you have to work on very badly soiled vehicles, then investing in a heated extractor is necessary.

D) Hose length and attachments

With longer hoses, you can reach further around your vehicle-such as a huge SUV or even a van. Moreover, get versatile attachments like crevice tools and upholstery wands that will enable one to clean everything from floorboards to the tops of seats.

E) Portability and Weight

Mobility is a huge factor, especially for mobile detailers. Consider how much the extractor weighs and if it has wheels or handles to make it easier to transport.

Durability and Build Quality

Durability is important, choose machines that are constructed with high-quality materials suitable for heavy usage. Stainless steel tanks and heavy-duty hoses are telling signs of a long-lasting product, but the research of user comments and manufacturers' warranties is also advisable.

Ease of Maintenance

Regular maintenance will ensure superior performance and long life. Consider an extractor whose tanks, filters, and hoses are easy to clean. A few of the models come with a self-cleaning feature that makes maintenance easier.

Budgetary Considerations

Extractors can cost anywhere from several hundred to many thousands of dollars. While that may be attractive, remember-the performance and durability usually correlates with the dollar amount spent. Therefore, set your budget according to your needs but rather prioritize based on value versus price.

Best Extractor under $500

The Aqua Pro Vac this is a machine that sits at a higher price point than something like the 

Bissell spot Pro but a lower price point than the more expensive extractors that detailers normally have their eyes on. So it ends up being a really attractive option for mobile detailers who are in the beginning stages and who need a solution to their extracting problem without breaking the bank. It's got two different buttons on the back. One for the suction, one for the water. It's extremely easy to use, very self-explanatory and the size is a little bit bigger than something like the Spot Pro but it's much smaller than something like the Mytee 8070. Now in terms of its power or its ability to lift water out of the carpet that's the main thing we're looking at when we're dealing with extractors. Aqua Pro vac definitely will cover what you need for 95 percent of situations assuming that you're front-loading the work by using the right chemical combinations. 

Best Extractor under $1000

It is Mytee Lite 8070. This is a more expensive extractor sitting around $1000 but the reason the price shoots up is probably more than anything due to the fact that it can heat up water and it is a hot water extracting machine. Now in addition to it being a hot water extraction machine it is also extremely high quality. Everything from the actual build of the machine itself is really really awesome.

Ryan Collins
VP of Partnerships
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