A carpet cleaner is a device used in both home and commercial contexts to scrub dirt and debris off carpets and upholstery. It usually comes with a water tank, hose, and nozzle, plus a few brush heads for agitating and loosening grime.  Some carpet cleaners are designed for extracting dirt and pulling it to the surface as a thick foam, while others tackle surface-level grime using water. Most consumer-grade carpet cleaners are the latter since they require less preparation, chemicals, and aftercare.