extractors vs. steamers

A

A.P.D.

New member
:nixweiss what do you guys find to give better results?

if i own a extractor should i buy a steamer for seat belts and headliners?

if i only need it for seat blets and head liners could i buy a cheap one for these problems?
 
A.P.D.- Much as I hate to suggest the dreaded search, there are some threads where we really beat this one to death.



IME/IMO they are two completely different machines that do two completely different things so it's not an either/or situation. IF you need one or the other (or both) then that's that. I wouldn't want to be without either.



I bet a small steamer would be handy, if only for stuff like what you're considering. But heh heh, you might find yourself thinking that you'd really like a bigger/better one after a while ;)



Be careful with the really cheap ones, I've had them break in ways that burned me but good.
 
I totally agree with Accumulator. They both have different applications. You will find that the small steamer will not be enough. I personally, if had to choose one OR the other, would go with the steamer. BUT a high quality steamer. You will find tons of information on both when you search them. Good luck in your decision.
 
I got the Bissell Little Green Cleaning Machine Pro Heat model ($90~ new) for my extractor, and a high-end steamer ($700) as well. This way I have my bases covered no matter what the job throws at me...I definitely find uses for BOTH tools.
 
I think they are different tools and perform different tasks.



For example, to deep clean heavily soiled carpets I think an extractor is best suited to do this. A steamer simply can't do that as well IMO because the extractor injects pressurize liquid to loosen/lift the deep dirt and powerfully vacuums the dirty solution up/away from the carpet backing and pile.



For example, I find a steamer is very effective to clean dried coffee/soda stains from deep in the bottom of cup holders. An extractor has no function here.



Just my 2 cents :)
 
ramtough said:
Extractor only does one thing...
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But note that when you really *need* to do that one thing, it's about the only game in town ;) I use my extractors a *lot* more than my steamers, especially around the house...but YMMV as I guess we're all dealing with different situations.



David Fermani said:
I wouldn't use either one on a headliner.
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Better off using lower-moisture approaches, huh? I will admit I've used the steamer on a few, when I really needed to get aggressive (relatively speaking).



A.P.D. said:
what are the uses for the steamer?
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Short version:



1) for emulsifying messes via the combo of high temp + moisture

2) for cleaning with less residual moisture than plain/colder water

3) for blasting stuff clean/out with the steamer's pressure

4) for cleaning with high enough temp to kill off (some?) micro-organisms



Note that the high temp/pressure features can bite ya if you misuse the thing.
 
Lumadar said:
I got the Bissell Little Green Cleaning Machine Pro Heat model ($90~ new) for my extractor, and a high-end steamer ($700) as well. This way I have my bases covered no matter what the job throws at me...I definitely find uses for BOTH tools.
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For a steamer $700 is on the low end, as there are $10,000 units.
 
AeroCleanse said:
For a steamer $700 is on the low end, as there are $10,000 units.
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For a mobile detailer, $700 is a high-end steamer :D For more industrial applications, yeah, $10,000 for a steamer would be considered high-end. But I always considered the entry-level $600-900 steamers to be a high-end unit contextually speaking for a detailer, when compared to the $90-125 dollar "Shark" units etc.
 
You don't necessarily need expensive steamer units to get the job done. You can actually use those "Shark"-like units like the SteamFast SF-275 with similar results. Those more expensive units just make it easier and faster for the user.
 
Denzil said:
You don't necessarily need expensive steamer units to get the job done. You can actually use those "Shark"-like units like the SteamFast SF-275 with similar results. Those more expensive units just make it easier and faster for the user.
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Slightly different experience here. I've had a few different steamers in the low-to-moderate price range. My last one, a DeLonghi Euro Steamer, had specs similar to what most "reasonably priced but nice" steamers have. It simply couldn't do some admittedly tough jobs.



I upgraded to the Steam Vapor Cleaner: Daimer KleenJet ULTRA 1500C KleenJet Ultra 1500C and the performance increase is considerable. It *does* the jobs that my other steamer can't. Not sure if it's worth the current price though...IIRC it was a lot cheaper when I got mine.
 
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