Why the Ashbys Ninja 400 PSI is My Top Pick for Starting a Carpet Cleaning Business

"Hi there! I'm Oli from Njord Chemicals. One of the most common questions I get asked is which portable machine I would choose if I were starting my carpet cleaning business again tomorrow. Without a doubt, my top pick would be the Ashbys Ninja 400 PSI with an in-built solution tank heater. Here's why:

Price: The Ashbys Ninja 400 PSI is a great deal for a start-up machine package, priced at around £6K, including delivery and VAT. There's also a pay monthly leasing option available, allowing you to own the equipment at the end of the lease period. Payments are fixed and won't change throughout the term. Although there's a cost to finance, this option lets you get up and running with the right equipment to grow your business.

The biggest mistake people make is wasting money on the wrong equipment, only to find out later that the substandard machine doesn't perform and has very little resale value. If you want to start right, either save up to buy outright or opt for lease finance and let the right equipment pay for itself.

Size: Very manageable, not much bigger than the smallest machines.

Tank Size: 40 litres for the clean tank and 40 litres for the dirty tank. This is a very nice capacity for a machine of its size. The fact that the tanks are equal means less stopping to fill and empty, which can be done at roughly the same time.

Pump: 400 PSI variable. This means you can adjust the pressure as needed and use both traditional and modern upholstery cleaning tools. (Not possible with standard machines under 250 PSI).

Weight: 52 kg, only slightly heavier than the smaller machines.

Power: One plug, unlike some other machines that require two.

Heater: Optional built-in 3 kW solution tank heater running from a second power lead.

Sound: Extremely quiet compared to other machines, especially when fitted with a silencer. You can hold a normal conversation next to it while it's running."

'Hello, Martin from Ashbys here. If you're interested in a quote for Oli's complete 400 PSI Ninja starter package, feel free to WhatsApp me your full name and email at +44 1795 436999 anytime. Alternatively, you can call me on 01795 436999 Monday to Friday, 08:00-16:30.'

"There are more powerful machines out there, like some models of the Enforcer. However, these require two plug sockets just to run the pump and vacuum. Any heating systems need a third power lead.

The Ashbys Ninja design is one of the oldest and most reliable, making it very easy to fix and maintain. If you're starting with a portable carpet cleaning machine, the Ashbys Ninja ticks all the boxes for me in one package. Here's the other items you'll need:

DUK Corner Guards: If you want to be a professional carpet cleaner, and recognised as one, then you need these. They protect your customers' walls and skirting boards, preventing any damage to paintwork whilst you're cleaning. The DUK ones are adjustable for different height levels, which is perfect for staircases and different level corners. These heavy-duty units will last you a lifetime if you look after them. My original ones still look almost as good as the day I bought them.

Internal Jet Upholstery Tool: Amazing cleaning power, relatively lightweight, and very low water usage. This well-built unit is great value for the price and would have a place on my van from day one. It allows me to get excellent results for my customers while never over-wetting.

Carpet Cleaning Stair Tool: When it comes to cleaning stairs, you want a substantial tool that will stand the test of time. Stairs can be some of the dirtiest areas you will clean, so get it right the first time with a heavy-duty tool that flushes with way more power than an upholstery tool. These will clean stairs very quickly—and we all know time is money.

Furniture Foam Snap Blocks: Another everyday item that sets aside the professionals from the cowboys. Foam tabs are to be used under furniture legs when they are going to be resting on a damp carpet. These blocks prevent the transfer of dirt, but more importantly, the transfer of rust, varnish, or paint into the carpet you have just cleaned. For what they cost, can you afford not to use them?

Silencer: Makes your machine significantly quieter. Whether you want to hold a normal conversation with your customer whilst it is running, take a call, or just save yourself from going deaf in a couple of years, this quick-clip silencer does exactly what it says on the tin. It also makes the customer experience better, meaning they can be more comfortable in their house or workplace whilst you are cleaning.

Inline Sprayer: The most efficient spraying system you can get. Pre-spray a large room in a few seconds versus a lot of minutes. This handy device will mix concentrated chemicals from the water in your machine and spray it out using the power of the machine's pump. The sprayer will make you around 50L, which is the equivalent of mixing 5 individual spray bottles (pumping not required).

Furniture Sliders: These allow you to slide out heavy items of furniture quickly, safely, and easily. An absolute must-have for any professional carpet cleaner that wants to set themselves apart from the competition and offer their customers a higher level of service.

Professional Gold Card Foil Coasters: On damp carpet, put them under wooden or metal-studded furniture legs to prevent wood stain transferring, which is very difficult to remove, and rust stains forming while the carpet dries.

One more tip: I would buy two machines. One as a backup. If my sole source of income depended on a single carpet cleaning machine, I'd want to protect it as quickly as possible by having a second machine in storage, ready to go. As a rule of thumb, you can expect to conduct maintenance every six months on an extraction machine.

Remember: Any local service centre that handles professional carpet cleaning machines can easily fix the Ninja, and all spare parts are available from Ashbys with next working day delivery."