Vax carpet cleaners can freshen up your carpets if they’re looking tired or have fallen victim to muddy paws. They lift deep-down dirt using a powerful mix of water, washing solution, brushes, and suction — leaving your carpets clean and fluffy.
So, whether you're about to switch on your Vax for the first time or just need a refresher, our guide will show you how to clean a carpet properly.
Preparing your carpet for cleaning
Before you get your Vax up and running, let’s make sure your carpets are ready for washing. That way, the machine can really work its magic. Here’s your prep checklist:
Move furniture: This will give you an open, clutter-free space to move your Vax carpet cleaner around in. Plus, it’ll mean you won’t accidentally bump into any furniture legs.
Vacuum your floor: Suck up any loose dirt, dust, and pet hairs that could clog your Vax and hamper its performance.
Spot-treat stains: If there are any stubborn marks, apply a Vax pre-treatment spray (included with a few models) and let it sit for 15 minutes. This will help break them down before the main clean. Some Vax carpet cleaners, like the Platinum Power Max, even come with a built-in Pre-treatment Wand to help you target tough stains.
Filling the water and solution tank
Vax carpet cleaners usually have two tanks. One for the clean water and solution that’ll wash your carpet. And a second that’ll collect the dirty water it sucks up.
Here’s how to fill up the tank that’ll do the cleaning:
Remove the clean water tank: You should find this at the back or top of your machine. Just lift it out carefully.
Fill with water: Add warm (not boiling) tap water up to the indicated line on the tank.
Add cleaning solution: The general guideline is to pour in 40ml of solution per litre of water. But always check the instructions on the bottle for the right ratio.
Reattach the tank: Make sure the tank is securely in place to avoid any leaks.
Got a Vax Platinum SmartWash?
This model has separate reservoirs for the water and solution, so you don’t have to manually mix them beforehand in a shared tank. It’ll just auto-dispense the correct amounts for you.
Operating your Vax carpet cleaner
Once your carpet’s clear and your machine’s filled with water and solution, it’s time to get cleaning:
Plug in and switch on: Take your Vax machine’s power cable, plug it into a mains socket, and turn it on. If you’ve got a cordless model, charge it up fully before powering on.
Choose your setting: Many Vax carpet cleaners offer different cleaning modes. Deep Clean is perfect for tackling tough stains, while Quick Clean is great for light refreshes (with faster drying times).
Squeeze the trigger and move forward: Recline the handle, then hold down the trigger to release the water/solution mix as you push forward over a patch of floor. This also spins the brushes to deep clean your carpet.
Release the trigger and pull back: Let go of the trigger and move it back over the same spot. This will suck up the dirty water from your carpet, leaving it nice and clean.
Rinse and repeat: If you have any heavily soiled areas, you might need to go over them a few times. Smoothly move back and forth over those parts, then clean the rest of your carpet in straight, slightly overlapping lines for full coverage.
Let your carpet dry: Once you’ve finished, allow the carpet to dry completely before putting your furniture back. Vax machines have powerful extraction, so you could go over your carpet again with just the suction setting to speed things up.
It’s also worth saying that every Vax carpet cleaner comes with a handy hose and upholstery tool. This makes it easy to clean your sofas, stairs, car seats, and even footwells.
Post-cleaning maintenance and care
You can’t just put your Vax carpet cleaner back in your understairs cupboard. It’ll need a little TLC first, so it’s ready for next time and keeps performing its best:
Turn off and unplug your machine: You’ll always want to power off your machine before doing any kind of maintenance.
Empty the dirty water tank: Pour the contents down the sink, then give the tank a good rinse. You might as well do this for the clean tank while you’re at it, just to flush out any leftover solution.
Clear the brush bar and nozzles: Get rid of any hair or carpet fibres that may have got trapped during cleaning.
Wipe down the exterior: Give the outside of your machine a quick once-over with a slightly damp cloth to remove any dust or grime.
Allow everything to dry: Leave the tanks and removable parts to air dry before putting everything back together.
Tips for effective carpet cleaning
To get the best results from your Vax, keep these top tips in mind:
Clean on a warm, dry day: This will help your carpets dry faster. You can also open windows, use fans, or put your central heating on for a bit to evaporate the moisture more quickly.
Avoid over-wetting: Don’t release too much water and solution when cleaning your carpets. Not only will it take longer to dry, but it could damage the carpet backing too.
Use slow and steady movements: It might be tempting to clean in a hurry, but rushing can prevent your machine from getting to the deep-down dirt.
Clean high-traffic areas more often: Every 3–6 months is ideal for busy households.
Test in a hidden area first: This is especially important for delicate or coloured carpets.
Use the right solution: It’d be best to stick to Vax-approved products when using your Vax carpet cleaner, to protect both your machine and your floor.
Troubleshooting common issues
Even the best Vax carpet cleaner can run into hiccups. Here are some common problems and ways to fix them:
| Issue | Possible cause | Solution |
|---|---|---|
| No water spraying on carpet | Empty clean water tank or a clogged nozzle | Refill the tank or clear the nozzle |
| Poor suction | Dirty water tank full or filter blocked | Empty the tank or remove the filter and clean it |
| Leaking water | Clean or dirty water tank not seated properly | Refit the problem tank securely |
| Machine won’t turn on | Not plugged in properly or a tripped fuse | Check your power cable and the fuse |
| Strange noises | Debris in the Brushbar | Turn off your machine and clear the Brushbar |
Need a repair?
If you’ve tried all of the above and are still having trouble, our Repairs team can help. We’ve even got a RepairLive service where you can chat to an expert right away.
FAQs
How does a vax carpet cleaner work?
It thoroughly washes carpets using water, cleaning solution, brushes, and suction. When you press a Vax carpet cleaner’s trigger and push forward, it’ll spray a mix of warm water and shampoo onto your floor to loosen dirt and grime. Then as you move back over the same spot, it’ll suck the dirty water into a separate tank — leaving your carpets cleaner and fresher.
How often should I use my Vax carpet cleaner?
You should aim to use your Vax carpet cleaner every 6 to 12 months, but it really depends on how busy your home is. If you’ve got kids, pets, or just lots of foot traffic — you might want to clean them every 3 to 6 months instead. And if there’s a spill or muddy paw prints, don’t wait around. Spot clean them straight away to stop stains from setting in.
What’s the dry mode on a Vax carpet cleaner?
Some Vax machines have a Dry Only mode that helps your carpets dry faster — sometimes in less than an hour. It’s perfect for both quick clean-ups and full deep cleans where you don’t want to wait around for everything to dry. Just switch to this setting after cleaning, and it’ll focus on extracting moisture without spraying any more water or solution. Pretty handy for those emergency spills!
Need extra help?
We’re not only Vax experts. Our how to use a carpet cleaner article has steps for operating machines from more top brands — including Bissell, Shark, and Rug Doctor. Plus, our floorcare buying guide has advice on loads of other appliances like vacuum cleaners and pressure washers.
