When your carpet starts to look a little run-down and dull, cleaning it with a carpet cleaner can help to bring it back to life. Most carpet cleaners act in a similar way to a vacuum cleaner, helping to dislodge and remove any dirt and debris that may be caught up in the pile.
While it is possible to get a professional company in to clean your carpets, many people prefer the convenience and price of simply hiring or purchasing a cleaner of their own. Available in many department stores, they tend to be fairly easy to use, once filled with water and plugged into a socket on the wall.
Carpet cleaner safety
Carpet cleaners are generally very safe to use as long as you follow the manufacturer’s instructions and take a few sensible precautions before and during use.
Safety first
- Make sure you buy or hire your carpet cleaner from a reputable retailer, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.
- It’s important to register your new carpet cleaner with the manufacturer so that you can be contacted if a safety notice or recall is issued. It also makes it easier for you to return a faulty product or order a repair. To find out how to register any of your appliances, regardless of age, visit our Product Registration page.
- Use our free online Product Recall checker to see if your carpet cleaner or any other electrical items have been recalled.
- Check that your appliance has a UK plug; if it doesn’t, don’t try to use a UK travel adaptor. Get in touch with the retailer and ask them to fit a UK plug.
- Do regular checks of the plug and socket for burn marks, sounds of ‘arcing’ (buzzing or crackling) or if it feels too hot to touch. If you have fuses blowing or circuit-breakers tripping then contact a registered electrician to investigate.
- Any socket you plan to use to plug in a carpet cleaner should have RCD (residual current device) Protection. An RCD is a life-saving device that protects against dangerous electric shock and reduces the risk of electrical fires. If you don’t have RCD protection in your fuse box for your sockets, consider using an RCD plug to protect you and your property from serious appliance faults.
Using your carpet cleaner safely
- Do not use your carpet cleaner in any way other than suggested in the manual. Only use attachments provided.
- Make sure to turn all switches on the cleaner to the ‘off’ position before unplugging.
- Avoid splashing any of the carpet cleaner detergents on your skin. If you do come into contact with the solution, make sure to wash it off immediately. If you feel any irritation, seek medical advice. You might like to wear gloves when handling the detergent.
- Do not pull the cleaner by the supply cable and be careful not to run over the cable when cleaning.
- Make sure hands are dry when handling the supply cable or plug.
- Make sure all openings are free from blockage.
- Make sure all supply cables and plugs are in proper working condition. Discontinue use if they appear damaged.
- Do not overstretch the supply cable.
- Empty the water chamber before putting the carpet cleaner away after each use.
- Be careful not to use the cleaner around any open electrical points or wiring.
- Make sure the appliance is emptied after each use.
- Do not run over any hot items, such as cigarettes, and avoid areas of standing water.
- Unplug when not in use.