Car interior dry cleaning: how to choose a suitable vacuum cleaner?

A trip in a clean, fresh car is pleasant for both driver and passenger. To bring your iron horse back to its original form, various means are used. One of the most effective is a washing vacuum cleaner for dry cleaning the car interior. This method is used when visiting a specialized car wash, but there are models available for personal use by the vehicle owner.

Advantages of a washing vacuum cleaner

Car vacuum cleaner is not new. Now almost every motorist has this device. But not everyone knows that a washing device (extractor) is much better than a dry cleaning device.

After familiarizing yourself with these parameters, you will probably lose the desire to use the old device and want to buy an improved one.

Advantages:

1. He carries out cleaning at the highest level. Devices with dry cleaning type cannot compare with such units. There is no need to wash the seats with a sponge and soapy water. This makes the cleaning process easier.
2. Many modern models of washing units are equipped with two types of cleaning. Can be done dry or wet. The only drawback is the high cost, the sizes are slightly larger.
3. Unlike a dry unit, a washing unit can remove various liquids. And when using the first one, you have to carry rags in the car, just in case.
4. No need to buy mirror and glass cleaners. A washing car vacuum cleaner will cope with this task, which is beyond the capabilities of many.
5. Purifies the air and removes unpleasant odors in the cabin.
6. They have a built-in HEPA filter. It retains not only the smallest dirt, but also bacteria and viruses.
7. The vacuum attachment allows you to thoroughly clean seats and remove old stains.

Thanks to a wet vacuum cleaner, there is no need to regularly visit the car wash. You can save a lot of money just by cleaning the car interior yourself.

Extractor for interior dry cleaning

All equipment used for dry cleaning of car interiors is divided into three categories:

• Vacuum cleaners - usually used for household cleaning of surfaces, have the least power.
• Dust and water cleaners have a power of up to 7 kW, are professional equipment, and consume significantly more electricity compared to vacuum cleaners.
• Extractors - suction vacuum cleaner.

An extractor differs from a simple washing vacuum cleaner in that the cleaning solution is supplied to it using a pump under pressure at high speed.

Containers with a cleaning solution and for receiving dirty water are larger in the extractor than in a vacuum cleaner. Also, the ability of the extractor to suck up liquid dirt, water and foam with dust and debris particles is very high (power more than 7 kW), which allows you to reduce the time for drying surfaces.

Extractors are divided into three types based on tank volume:

• 7 – 15 l – household extractor;
• 20 – 40 l - units used by cleaning companies;
• 40 – 80 l - equipment used for very large daily volumes of cleaning and cleaning, has a very powerful engine (or two).

They also come with one and two motors and different powers (usually from 1.5 to 12 kW and 6–11 bar fluid pressure).

Important! Despite its high suction power, the extractor is not able to remove all the water from fabric and fleecy surfaces. Moisture is removed only by 70-80%. Therefore, after using it, the car must be actively ventilated naturally or dried with a special hairdryer.

Characteristics

You should choose a car vacuum cleaner not by the type of model, but by the characteristics that are usually indicated in the device’s passport.

Professional equipment must meet expectations. Choose a vacuum cleaner specifically for yourself, and do not ask your friends which device is better. To each their own, a simple washing device will suit you, while others may need dry cleaning.

When buying, check how it washes, how the suction works, so that you don’t have to return the purchase to the store.

The characteristics of the washing device may be as follows:

1. Type of cleaning. A vacuum cleaner for a car can have only a washing function or also a dry function. A combined device is better, because sometimes you need to quickly remove dirt from a shelf or simply collect dust in the interior, but if you choose between a washing device and one designed only for dry cleaning, then the first is definitely a priority.
2. Dust collector type. It can be a container or a bag. The first option is better because it is more convenient to wash. I just rinsed the container with soapy water and it is sparkling clean again. And bag dust collectors need to be removed from the frame, hand washed, soaked, and possibly machine washed. Also, if the container is not washed for three months, the dust inside will not come out. And if the bag is not cleaned for so long, it will seem very dirty, it will be impossible to breathe next to it due to the dust that is not only inside, but also outside.
3. Nozzles and their sizes. A vacuum cleaner for dry cleaning a car must have several attachments. For example, for cleaning seats, glass, plastic surfaces. The kit should include a universal nozzle, a narrow crevice nozzle for removing dust in hard-to-reach places, with thick bristles for polished surfaces, and a turbo brush with a rotating head.
4. Suction power. This figure should be high. The recommended suction power is at least 400 W for high-quality cleaning.
5. Cord length. This characteristic is not as important as the nozzles, type of dust collector and suction power. However, the length of the cord determines how far the vacuum cleaner can reach. If it is connected from the cigarette lighter, it should be sufficient to be able to clean the trunk. If the vacuum cleaner is plugged into an outlet, the length of the cord is not so important. You only need to purchase a carrier.
6. Price. Before choosing a wet-dry vacuum cleaner, decide how much you are expecting. Then ask the seller to show you the best equipment based on your stated price. The last thing you should pay attention to is price if you want to buy something worthwhile. There are good budget options, with a modest set of brushes but good performance.
7. Noise level. Of course, you don’t want the vacuum cleaner to make a lot of noise, but this characteristic is not so important for a machine. All modern vacuum cleaners are not very noisy. If you plan to use it to clean upholstered furniture and carpets in the house, then the noise level is important, especially if there are small children in the house.

Choosing an extractor to suit your needs is difficult. You need to study all the characteristics, compare several models and only then decide which device is suitable.

Various models of cleaning equipment

The trade provides a variety of different equipment to choose from, manufactured by a variety of companies to make car interior cleaning easier. Among them are the following models:

1. For personal and professional use, the Nilfisk TW 300 multifunctional device is suitable for cleaning carpets, seats and covers. It is small in size and has a long cable. The quality of cleaning is not satisfactory. This is ensured by high power exerting force on the surface. The owner can only choose the right chemical composition, and any stain, even the oldest one, will capitulate.
2. Tornado class equipment from CYCLONE and Tornador companies is valued for its small size and functionality. Using guns, they spray a chemical reagent onto the surface. However, their use requires a compressor, which somewhat limits the range of use of such equipment.
3. CarFon equipment is a full-fledged dry cleaning station. It consists of a hair dryer with a large set of nozzles and adapters with auxiliary accessories. With their help you can equip a small car wash. The equipment is powerful, functional and productive. With the right selection of auto chemicals, the original appearance of the interior can be restored within half an hour.

In addition to full-fledged units for chemical treatment of interiors, there are also simpler equipment on sale. These are ordinary vacuum cleaners for dry cleaning, which every car owner needs to have:

1. Equipment of the domestic brand VITEK is produced in China. Model VT-1840 is a hand-held device with a power of 90 watts and a cyclonic dust collector with a capacity of 1.5 liters. Its features include three-stage filtration using a quick-removable HEPA filter and an electric brush for collecting lint. All this fits into a convenient case.
2. A similar vacuum cleaner with similar characteristics can be purchased under the name AIRLINE CYCLONE-3. It differs from the previous model in having a smaller dust collector - only 0.5 liters.
3. The bestseller among inexpensive modifications is the Chinese-made Russian vacuum cleaner AGRESSOR AGR 150. It is distinguished by durable and lightweight materials, a strict design, and a power of 150 watts. It works from the cigarette lighter. Includes 2 extension tubes with three attachments. Dust container capacity 1.5 liters. Its design uses the Smerch filtration system, due to which the vacuum cleaner does not become clogged after each use.
4. Another domestic model is BERKUT SVC-800. Provides 57 watts of suction power. He has a flashlight, which, together with a long hose and special attachments, provides access to all hidden cavities of the cabin. Supplied with a carrying bag. His quiet work is noted.
5. The most reliable FC 6141 equipment is produced by the well-known manufacturer of household appliances Philips. A distinctive feature is the use of a two-level filter, aerodynamic profile nozzles, a curved handle that provides a comfortable grip, and a rubber coating that prevents slipping.
6. The leader in the production of power tools, the American company BLACK&DECKER presents the PV1200AV model. This is a compact vacuum cleaner, powered by a cigarette lighter, with a motor protected by a special mechanism. It is equipped with three nozzles, one of which, a slotted one, changes the angle of inclination, which allows you to penetrate into the most remote places of the cabin.

Car vacuum cleaners have become an indispensable thing for car owners. Using them, you can perform a comprehensive interior cleaning or quick, easy dust removal. All this will not require a lot of time and expenditure of electricity and chemical components.

Black&Decker Dustbuster

Motorists really praise this small unit. Black & Decker Dustbuster plugs into your car's cigarette lighter.

The most popular model is the Black & Decker AVD1210 Dustbuster; it is intended for dry cleaning only.

The extractor is compact, but equipped with a long cord.

There is a good crevice tool. It allows for excellent cleaning under seats. There are control buttons located on the handle of the device. The extractor is cheap and suitable for those looking for a budget option.

Principle of operation

The operating principles of a washing vacuum cleaner and an extractor are similar, the only difference is the power of spraying and collecting liquid.

Any such unit is equipped with two tanks for clean and dirty water, as well as a pipe system:

• The detergent is diluted in water and poured into a special tank.
• When the unit is operating, a solution with detergent is sprayed onto the surface and immediately sucked through a hole into another container.
• To clean various surfaces (smooth, fluffy, uneven, crevices), both the vacuum cleaner and the extractor are usually equipped with various types of attachments.
• After cleaning is completed, the device is turned off and the pressure is released through the water sprayers.
• Dirty water must be drained and containers washed.
• The unit must be dried by opening the tank lids.

The more powerful the device, the more strongly it extracts liquid from the upholstery.

Important! It is strictly forbidden to use a washing vacuum cleaner and extractor in a gas-filled room. When operating equipment, a spark may occur both inside the engine and when plugged into a power outlet or electrified fleecy surfaces, which in turn can lead to fire or explosion.

Karcher

Models made in Germany have good performance.

All vacuum cleaners for cars have shown their best side; you don’t need to remember every time how well they clean the car.

The best representative on the market. It is equipped with a large number of attachments. Some models are equipped with built-in batteries and can be charged from the network.

The versatility of such a vacuum cleaner is that it reaches the most difficult to reach places under the seats and in the trunk. Karchers can collect liquid and dirt, they wash the windows and, by putting on a special attachment, you can clean the outside of the car using special products.

Karchers are equipped with an ergonomic handle, which makes cleaning convenient. All the necessary brushes are stored directly on the unit body. This makes it possible to quickly change the nozzle.

Such a washing vacuum cleaner is not very convenient to carry with you in the car, but it can be used for a good general cleaning.

Types of equipment

There are a lot of cleaning equipment on the market.
Each variety belongs to a category. There are models that operate from the on-board network through the cigarette lighter. These compact versions are ideal for dry cleaning and get into the most inconvenient places. Good at collecting debris from rugs and upholstery. There are also equipment powered by 220 volts; they are usually medium in size. For comprehensive cleaning, large car washing vacuum cleaners are used. If the vehicle is used constantly, then washing or simple cleaning of the interior will have to be done quite often.

On the domestic market, similar equipment is represented by a large number of manufacturers. Among them are Samsung from South Korea, the American Black & Decker, the VITEK brand owned by Russian businessmen, and the German Karcher and Bomann.

ALCA

Vacuum cleaners in this series weigh only 800 grams. This allows you to carry them with you and use them on the road by connecting them to the cigarette lighter.

Washable filters are removable. If necessary, they can be cleaned, because dirt and dust clog small pores and the extractor cannot properly perform its functions.

The cable in ALCA models is 3–5 meters long, allowing you to even reach the trunk and clean it without any problems.

These models have more disadvantages than advantages. Perhaps for this reason, the units of this company are not so popular.

Car interior cleaning devices are considered bad. The main disadvantages include: high cost, constantly disconnected from the cigarette lighter, cannot be kept in the car in winter because the wire hardens at low temperatures. They are equipped with a small number of attachments; in some models they are simply absent.

ALCA extractors are not recommended by buyers, but are described by sellers. It is important for them to sell the device.

Complete set for car wash

To service your own car, equipment is selected in accordance with the most frequently occurring situations that require cleaning up the interior. As a rule, these are point purchases or small cleaning complexes that can provide a comprehensive range of capabilities.

However, large car washes use a complete technological process using professional equipment and chemicals. First of all, these are washing vacuum cleaners for cars with the possibility of dry cleaning. In addition, there are several other types of units to make vehicles clean and fresh.

Professional vacuum cleaners

Can be used for any cleaning of the car. Long and efficient operation is ensured by a powerful, up to 7 kW, electric motor. It is located in a completely sealed compartment, which prevents the ingress of moisture and dirt. Continuous operation time is limited to periods when you need to clean filters and dust collectors, as well as the housing itself. Characterized by high energy consumption. Depending on what types of contaminants they cope with, there are three groups of similar equipment:

• class L dust removal;
• removing dry and liquid contaminants;
• dealing with chemical and explosive substances.

Pull-out washing vacuum cleaner

The second name of this equipment is extractor.
In such devices, the cleaning solution is supplied from a container using a pump, as a result the liquid is sprayed and absorbed faster after absorbing dirt. Such equipment differs from simple vacuum cleaners by the presence of a second tank for flushes and a large volume of the main tank. Extractors are divided according to the amount of liquid they hold:

• lightweight models hold 7-25 liters of water;
• medium ones have a volume of 20-40 liters;
• the largest and most powerful ones allow you to collect from 40 to 80 liters of liquid.

In addition, there is a division according to power, number of turbines, vacuum created and air flow passing through the device.

Pneumatic guns for dry cleaning

With their help you can clean any surface without direct contact. The device creates high pressure, with which it is possible to spray not only air, but also chemicals, as well as create stable foam on the surface. A stream with a tornado effect created at the nozzle exit is capable of cleaning out dirt from the smallest crack.

Pistols differ in the following parameters:

• air flow;
• consumption of cleaning mixture;
• rotational speed.

However, the cleaning procedure is quite harmful due to the cloud of chemicals created, as well as foam residues in the upholstery if it is not removed properly.

Car hair dryers

With the help of these devices, professional interior drying is carried out.
Their use is justified if there is water left on the surfaces or the upholstery is wet after dry cleaning. When a high-quality separator-type vacuum cleaner is used and the work technology is not violated, there is no need for treatment with a heat gun, since the interior becomes dry in a maximum of half an hour. But if the need does arise, it will take no more than 3 hours to put the salon in order. Using heat treatment, you can perform the following functions:

• generation of heat flow at temperatures up to 50 degrees;
• supply of unheated air stream;
• alternation of modes.

Steam generators

This is another type of multifunctional device for cleaning the interior of a car. In addition to collecting dirt and dust, it can be used to simultaneously dry upholstery or plastic panels with rugs. Such equipment can operate in the following modes:

• steam;
• water;
• steam plus water;
• steam and chemical mixture.

Of the minuses, it can be noted that not all materials are loyal to such heat treatment. For example, seat filler does not respond to steam dry cleaning: the dirt is simply wetted, turning into dirty puddles.

Separator vacuum cleaner

This latest equipment combines the functions of household and professional cleaning equipment. It works only with water and does not require the use of filters or foam absorbers. It is noted for its efficiency, environmental friendliness and unpretentiousness to working conditions. Using such units, the following types of cleaning are performed:

• dry;
• deep cleansing of soft surfaces, which is analogous to knocking out;
• polishing;
• air purification and aromatization;
• stain removal.

How to clean properly

To clean the car interior, it is best to choose a bright, warm day or a well-lit and ventilated box. This is necessary in order to clearly see the amount of work, the amount and depth of dirt, and also to quickly dry everything after cleaning.

It is most convenient to dry clean the car interior in the following order:

• clean the ceiling surface;
• clean seat covers;
• wash the floor;
• clean the door trim.

Each unit comes with instructions, according to which it is necessary to dilute and pour the detergent into the required container. If there are heavily contaminated areas, you should first apply a stain remover (“Vanish”) to them 15–20 minutes before using the washing unit.

The soft parts of the interior are cleaned at maximum power in order to avoid excessive wetting of the upholstery. After cleaning the entire interior with a vacuum cleaner or extractor with detergent, it is recommended to go over the surfaces again, but only pour hot, clean water into the container.

This will help get rid of chemical residues and reduce the risk of allergic reactions in passengers. Recently, foam extractors have become particularly popular, where detergent under pressure forms foam with water and is applied to the dirty surface.

A washing vacuum cleaner will significantly save your car cleaning costs. Today, manufacturers present a great variety of household and professional extractors for dry cleaning of any surfaces in the vehicle interior. Even the most picky client can choose the best option for himself. When purchasing a car vacuum cleaner, you should study and take into account all the parameters and components, and not be guided solely by the price, since high-quality equipment, although more expensive, usually has better characteristics and lasts longer.

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