Most carpet cleaners work by shooting a mix of water and cleaning solution at the carpet and then vacuuming it back up once it removes the set-in dirt and grime. Some models, like the , clean using heated water or steam to more effectively break down dirt and set-in grime, while others use hot air to dry carpets after a wash, which is particularly helpful in homes with kids and pets where you won't have the time to let the carpet dry naturally. He also owned a carpet cleaning company for many years, learning firsthand (and often the hard way) what works and what doesn’t when it comes to upright versus portable carpet cleaners.