When we tested , we were impressed by the lack of residual wetness in general. On a hot day, with the fans on and the windows open, you can expect the carpet to be quite dry within four to six hours. (When we test, we look at how wet the underside of the carpet is as well.) The more times you go over the carpet in suction mode, the shorter the drying time will be. Take it slowly and follow the manufacturer's instructions. Don't skimp on the suction phase, as leaving too much water in the carpet means it may go mouldy or stale-smelling before it dries.

Models with a clear plastic cleaning head are handy as they allow you to see whether obstructions (such as fluff) are preventing the suction of water. You can also see when the suction has slowed, so you can then move on to cleaning the next section of the carpet. Carpet shampooers can be tiring to move around, and you should dedicate plenty of time (and patience) to getting the job done.

In most cases, you'll need to press a trigger or a switch to release the water and cleaning solution, then move the cleaning head slowly back and forth along the carpet while the brushes embed the water into the carpet. Releasing the trigger or turning the switch off again will then activate suction mode – again you'll need to take it slow and steady, making sure the cleaning head is flush with the carpet to maximise the dirty water being removed. Some models are trickier to use because they're heavy; some will only suck up water when they're being pulled back, so you'll need to keep moving the unit forward each time.