Best Portable for around 2k for Carpet Cleaning Newbies! Poll

**Rob Allen** · 01-10-2010, 10:58 PM

I have a lot of newbies contact me about getting into carpet cleaning. Many want a portable and almost always say they have a budget around 2000 dollars. So I think a thread would be in order to help get them on their way. I was thinking that the machine would need to be able to do residential carpet and upholstery and light commercial. Something with heat and around 500 psi would be good. Then I can direct them to this thread.

So what do ya'll think would be a the best unit for very close to 2k for a newbie??

Rob

**Kevin** · 01-10-2010, 11:59 PM

Most important part of a Porty is the Vac Motors. Heat is the least important.

**CleanBean** · 01-11-2010, 01:25 AM

I like my machine...the Mytee M5!!! It doesn't have heat though and from what I've seen in looking at portables you won't get a good one with heat at $2k *if* you want two 3 stage vacs and 500 psi (which are quickly becoming the standard).

In most cases at 2K you can get two 2 stage vacs, auto fill and pump out with heat at around $2K. There are alot of good machines out there but you cant go wrong with Mytee, or Ninja.

Inform them... but make them do their homework and draw their own conclusion so they can't blame you.

**Glides-R-Us 1-757-486-3532** · 01-11-2010, 01:32 AM

Mytee M-5 or the Titan 230HV.

**floorguy_724** · 01-11-2010, 01:35 AM

I think all the big porty companies are good nowadays.

If I had a budget of only 2k, I would get whatever my nearest carpet supply sold and serviced. If you had a local supply place, they would even let you demo all the machines before you made your purchase. Not sure if this answer helped you or them Rob, it's just what I would do if I did it all over again.

**Doug Byrd** · 01-11-2010, 01:44 AM

Originally Posted by Ken Harris

Mytee M-5 or the Titan 230HV.

The 230Hv does look like a good deal on alot of machine.

**ECOPRO** · 01-19-2010, 07:22 PM

I suggest US products advantage series "$2000" if you want the best warranty on the market. Kens Titan series and the Mytee speedsters "$2000+"are not bad. Recoil is also good but very expensive.

**ECOPRO** · 01-19-2010, 07:29 PM

Cold Water Cleaning
John went to visit his 90 year old grandfather in a very secluded, rural area of Georgia.

After spending a great evening chatting the night away, John's grandfather prepared breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast.
However, John noticed a film like substance on his plate, and questioned his grandfather asking, "Are these plates clean?"

His grandfather replied, "They're as clean as cold water can get them. Just you go ahead and finish your meal, Sonny!"

For lunch the old man made hamburgers. Again, John was concerned about the plates as his appeared to have tiny specks
around the edge that looked like dried egg and asked, "Are you sure these plates are clean?"

Without looking up the old man said, "I told you before, Sonny, those dishes are as clean as cold water can get them.
Now don't you fret, I don't want to hear another word about it!"

Later that afternoon, John was on his way to a nearby town and as he was leaving, his grandfather's dog started to growl,
and wouldn't let him pass. John yelled and said, "Grandfather, your dog won't let me get to my car".

Without diverting his attention from the football game he was watching on TV the old man shouted ...

"COLDWATER, GO LAY DOWN

**Scott W** · 01-20-2010, 12:06 PM

The Olympus M3-200 comes in right at $2,000. Dual 3 stage vacuums, 200 PSI water pressure. Add a heater and the cost goes up $500+, but is a good investment in my opinion.
Rot-molded body, 12 gallon fresh water and waste tanks, includes 25" vac and solution hose and wand. I like the large rear whells for going upstairs and the overall manueverability of the unit.

**Ed Valentine** · 01-20-2010, 02:24 PM

I think Scott W just confirmed my opinion in regards to machines in that particular price range. Ex: "You can get this for $2,000 , but add $500 additional for a heater. That takes it well over the $2,000 limit that Rob's requesting.

If anyone wants to find a HWE under $2,000, that can clean carpets, they can pick them up from $1,000 on up. If a machine can squirt & suck, it can clean carpeting. However, I would think that common sense would suggest that if someone wanted to start a ----Professional---- cleaning business they had better figure on spending a touch more than the bottom line. Or, they could technically purchase a pail and a brush (!).

Although this question deserves an answer and/or opinion, it reminds me of a "professional" Carpet Cleaner today complaining that the competitor down the street is advertising $4.95 per room and stating correctly, that "he can't possibly offer long term quality and service for that"! Well, the same is true when it comes to ones common-sense investment too.

In 1971 I remember that it cost me $2600 - 2800 for a Karpet Steam (Bane) machine; which I considered the bare minimum back then in order to provide a decent clean. In 1972 I purchased a Certi-Jet (Certified Chemical Co) for $3400.00.

And, I would further guess that this same principle would apply to a Gasoline/Petro TM as well , because if not, why would one purchase a $25-85,000 TM when you could get one for $4,000-5,000 ?? There has to be a difference and most definitetly is.

It is my opinion and experience that if a person doesn't have the money to spend on a Great portable, then they should do something else besides being in this business (for a lot of reasons!)

Quality and/or performance has never gotten cheaper over the past 40 years either; only cheap does. Sometimes paying alittle more can be of greater value in achieving success instead of failure and discontent.

Anyways, that's my take on it.

Interesting answers above, Gentlemen!
Ed Valentine

**peterszuba** · 01-20-2010, 04:24 PM

I think Mytee makes the best portables for the price. You can get a porty with heat for around $2,000. I disagree with those who suggest heat is the "least" important element in cleaning. Dip your hands in mud...let them dry, run one hand under cold water for 30 sec., then the other in hot water....there's no question that heat increases your cleaning ability...and significantly (imo).

**Rob Allen** · 01-20-2010, 08:53 PM

Originally Posted by peterszuba

I think Mytee makes the best portables for the price. You can get a porty with heat for around $2,000. I disagree with those who suggest heat is the "least" important element in cleaning. Dip your hands in mud...let them dry, run one hand under cold water for 30 sec., then the other in hot water....there's no question that heat increases your cleaning ability...and significantly (imo).

I am going to agree with Peter. Heat is important!

**locko-fabara** · 01-20-2010, 10:06 PM

Yeah heat is important, but sometimes the question is, how much heat do i need? I had clean with my portable with 150 or 180 *F, and sometimes is enough, of course if i clean with 50 *f water temp is bad, but something decent hot and good chemicals and agitation will help a lot.

**Rick Imby** · 01-21-2010, 11:14 PM

The heat question. There is only so much power available in most houses with 110 volt circuits. If you are using a dual 2 stage extractor with a pump you are going to be near 18 amps. I think all agree this is the minimum suck you need.

There is no doubt that more heat cleans better. The question is how much heat do you get for $400 or $500 for a heater added to an extractor or an inline heater that is between the extractor and the wand. The manufacturers state up to 200 or 215 degrees. That is the shutoff temperature that the heaters will shut off at. With the flow most portables are using a 2,000 amp heater (which takes one circuit all to itself) will increase the temp 10 to 20 degrees depending on how much time you are spending on dry strokes. If you have good hot water from the house the 10 degrees or so will not help much. If you are starting with cold water the 10 degrees still will not help much.

Bucket heaters are a great option. They are under $100 and are usually 1500 watts. If you are starting with warm or cold water they take time to heat and they need their own circuit but for occasional use they are a lifesaver if using Cold water.

So Rob I have rephrased your original question.

What should someone buy and in what order to get carpets the cleanest with portable equipment.

My opinion
#1 extractor 2 dual stage vacs 100 psi pump minimum dual 3 stage better-- 25 ft hose
#2 agitation-- OP machine, rotovac 360, 175 rpm buffer, Koblenz,(other options available also)
#3 vac Booster and up to 50 more feet of hose 25+25+25 so you can always use the shortest hose run possible. The Steambrite top mount 3 stage booster is a great option ($400)
#3b One or two $70 bucket heaters
#4 autofill
#5 auto dump
#6a Propane Little Giant to leave in van and water tanks
#6b electric inline heater. The heat into the motor compartment from the heaters mounted in the extractor will shorten vac motor life and add weight to your extractor.

The wand is not designed to be an agitator unless you have watched too many Rotovac commercials. Agitation is absolutely a top priority item in the porty cleaning toolbox. It is also more effective than a 20 degree temperature increase.

The multi cord electric water heaters are viable but with two cords for the extractor and two or three for the electric heat there is a lot of fooling with cords and guesswork as to what outlets to use.

An option which I have used and like a lot is a Steamin Demon with agitation--I have mainly used an OP for agitation with my Demon. The advantage to this setup is simplicity, and it all easily fits in a stationwagon or suv or hhr or pinto station wagon or Vega hatchback. The high flow demon removes more dirt than any other portable extractor.

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**floorguy_724** · 01-22-2010, 12:19 AM

Mod, please close this thread!!! LOL!

Rick covered everything in that ONE post!!!

Awesome post Rick tons of info in that read!

**rjfdube** · 01-22-2010, 12:33 AM

Well if I was limited to around 2k; CA Kwik Steam and a booster; for $2390 plus tax shipping and all that; you have an expandable, compact, and powerful system. It can be upgraded later when funds permit to an auto fill/dump system; and of course propane heater, external 1200 psi electrical pump for t&g. A system like this one could be operated for a hatchback car. Now for the forward thinking businessman would be thinking economics right now; and by all means this is just my 2 cents worth!!

**Fox6000** · 01-22-2010, 12:38 AM

Originally Posted by ECOPRO

Cold Water Cleaning
John went to visit his 90 year old grandfather in a very secluded, rural area of Georgia.

After spending a great evening chatting the night away, John's grandfather prepared breakfast of bacon, eggs and toast.
However, John noticed a film like substance on his plate, and questioned his grandfather asking, "Are these plates clean?"

His grandfather replied, "They're as clean as cold water can get them. Just you go ahead and finish your meal, Sonny!"

For lunch the old man made hamburgers. Again, John was concerned about the plates as his appeared to have tiny specks
around the edge that looked like dried egg and asked, "Are you sure these plates are clean?"

Without looking up the old man said, "I told you before, Sonny, those dishes are as clean as cold water can get them.
Now don't you fret, I don't want to hear another word about it!"

Later that afternoon, John was on his way to a nearby town and as he was leaving, his grandfather's dog started to growl,
and wouldn't let him pass. John yelled and said, "Grandfather, your dog won't let me get to my car".

Without diverting his attention from the football game he was watching on TV the old man shouted ...

"COLDWATER, GO LAY DOWN

now thats funny..........

**locko-fabara** · 01-22-2010, 02:05 AM

Originally Posted by rjfdube

Well if I was limited to around 2k; CA Kwik Steam and a booster; for $2390 plus tax shipping and all that; you have an expandable, compact, and powerful system. It can be upgraded later when funds permit to an auto fill/dump system; and of course propane heater, external 1200 psi electrical pump for t&g. A system like this one could be operated for a hatchback car. Now for the forward thinking businessman would be thinking economics right now; and by all means this is just my 2 cents worth!!

Ricky the budget is 2k, man.

**Ryno** · 01-22-2010, 04:21 AM

http://www.steam-brite.com/store/myt...nd-p-6253.html

Mytee: Speedster 1003DX, fits the budget perfectly 2000 watt heater, 2/3 vacs, 450 psi comes with hoses and wand.

Drop another $300 into a 13" 175 machine. Buy a stainless pump up sprayer for $50, then buy the Orange Force 123 start up chemical package for $110.

You have the bare minimum to do a good job, on residentual, nastys, and wall to wall wool for around 2500. Porty alone cost right under $2000.