How we made this guide: picks, prices and specs come from our catalog and the makers' published specs, owner quotes come from customer reviews on our product pages and the guide was drafted with AI help, then checked and edited by Trevor Hall.
CRB carpet cleaning uses a counter-rotating brush machine: two cylindrical brushes that spin toward each other to scrub and lift the carpet pile. It is an agitation tool, not an extractor, so it pulls no water out of the carpet. In our range, CRB machines run from $1,650 for the Dapper Supply 14 in to $2,174 for the Mytee CRB3017 Carpet Shark 17 in. The most compact of the five is the Mytee CRB3010 Carpet Shark 10 in at $1,811.
Quick answer
A CRB machine agitates. Use it for encapsulation cleaning, to loosen soil before extraction, to groom pile and for dry compound cleaning. If you need rinsing and suction, pair it with an extractor. Compare the methods in our method comparison, or browse floor machines for carpet.
What a CRB machine is and how it works
The name says it: counter-rotating brush. Two brush cylinders sit side by side under the housing and turn in opposite directions, toward each other. Each pass scrubs the pile from two directions instead of one. Mytee's Carpet Shark user manual says to start the machine, pull back the handle to a comfortable height and move the Carpet Shark back and forth over the surface being cleaned.
The brush layout is the main difference from a standard floor machine. A rotary floor machine spins a single round pad or brush in a circle. A CRB turns two long cylinders, so the brushes scrub a straight strip about as wide as they are long. Mytee's spec sheet lists a 10 in cleaning path for the CRB3010, in a body 12 in wide. On the Mytee Carpet Shark, two motors drive the two brushes by belt. The Dapper Supply 18 in lists its brush action as counter-rotating, with brushes 15.5 in long and 4.3 in across, turning at 450 RPM.
What a CRB does and what it does not do
A CRB does the scrubbing. It does not spray rinse water, it does not suck anything out and it is not a replacement for an extractor when a job needs rinsing.
- Encapsulation cleaning: the brushes work a cleaning compound through the pile so it can dry and be vacuumed up.
- Pre-spray agitation: scrubbing pre-spray in before an extractor goes over.
- Dry compound cleaning: working absorbent compound through the carpet, then vacuuming it up.
Mytee's spec sheet lists its ideal uses as debris pickup on carpet, encapsulation cleaning, shampoo agitation and scrubbing tile, grout and other hard surfaces. Its user manual says the two included renovator attachments collect dirt, debris and solid encapsulation compounds.
For the method comparison, including when to rinse and when not to, read the full method comparison.
CRB vs orbital vs rotary vs wand
Five tools get called "carpet cleaning machines". They do different jobs, and most commercial programs use more than one.
| Tool | What moves | Extracts water | Typical job |
|---|---|---|---|
| CRB machine | Two cylindrical brushes turning toward each other | No | Encapsulation, agitation, grooming, dry compound |
| Orbital floor machine | A flat pad moving in a small orbit | Depends on the model | Interim cleaning on flat commercial carpet |
| Rotary floor machine | One round pad, bonnet or shampoo brush spinning in a circle | No | Bonnet cleaning, shampooing and encapsulation with a pad |
| Rotary extractor | A spinning spray head with built-in suction | Yes | Rinse and extraction with agitation |
| Wand on an extractor | You pull a spray and vacuum head by hand | Yes | Hot water extraction, spot work and stairs |
A CRB adds the scrub a wand extractor lacks. If you want a tool that scrubs and extracts together, look at rotary carpet extractors. For the difference between shampooing and steam extraction, see carpet shampoo vs steam cleaning.
Where a CRB fits in a commercial carpet program
Commercial carpet usually gets daily vacuuming, regular interim cleaning and deep cleaning when traffic lanes show wear. A CRB suits the interim step because the carpet stays low in moisture, so the room returns to use sooner. A full restoration with hot water extraction still needs an extractor: scrub with the CRB, then extract.
For tile routines, see cleaning commercial carpet tiles.
Pile height matters. The Dapper Supply 18 in lists a maximum carpet pile of 0.8 in. Mytee's spec sheet lists no pile limit or brush speed for the Carpet Shark, so contact us before you buy if most of your work is deep plush.
Running a CRB on an encapsulation job
- Vacuum first so the brushes work on soil, not loose grit.
- Pre-spray the encapsulation chemical at the dilution and dwell time on its label.
- Fit the soft white brushes, or the stiff blue set on low pile or glue-down commercial carpet. Move the machine back and forth over the area, as Mytee's manual describes.
- Let the carpet dry, then vacuum up the dried residue.
Brush choice: soft, stiff and tile
The brush decides how hard the machine works the fiber. Mytee's spec sheet lists three brush sets for the Carpet Shark: the soft white carpet brushes that come with both models, stiff blue carpet brushes (A966 for the 10 in, A966A for the 17 in) and black tile and grout brushes (A961 and A961A).
| Brush | Use (from our product pages) | Part |
|---|---|---|
| Soft white carpet brush | Plush carpet. Two come with the CRB3010 and CRB3017 | Set of 2, A965 for the 10 in |
| Stiff blue carpet brush | Low pile carpet and commercial glue-down (CGD) carpet | A966 for the 10 in |
| Tile and grout brush | Tile, grout and other hard surfaces | A961 for the 10 in, A961A for the 17 in |
Match the brush to the carpet, not the soil level. Start with the soft white brush and move to the stiff blue one only for low pile or glue-down commercial carpet.
Stiff brushes
Mytee A966 Stiff Carpet Brushes for 10″ Carpet Shark (Set of 2)
$180.71
Blue stiff brushes for the 10 in Carpet Shark, set of 2, for low pile and commercial glue-down carpet.
Brush care and replacement
Brushes are wear parts. Mytee's limited warranty does not cover normal brush wear.
Changing a brush on the Carpet Shark is a short job. Unplug the machine first: Mytee's user manual says to always unplug the power cord before any adjustment or repair. Then follow the manual's steps: pull the brush axle from the side panel, swap the brush and secure the axle with the push pin on the far side.
Mytee's user manual says that after each use you should empty and clean the renovator attachments, clear debris from the brushes and store the machine on its tray in a cool, dry place. Its maintenance schedule adds checks of the brushes, cable, hardware and drive belts. The manual warns that freezing temperatures may damage components and void the warranty.
Photos of the Dapper Supply 18 in show a built-in brush wear tester gauge beside the rear wheel, a quick check on brush wear.
CRB machines we carry
We carry five counter-rotating brush machines from Mytee and Dapper Supply. The table compares three of them. Dapper also makes a 14 in and a 22 in model, listed with our other Dapper floor machines. Prices are today's, and the specs are the ones each listing gives.
| Machine | Price | Cleaning path | Weight | Power | Brush speed | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mytee CRB3010 Carpet Shark | $1,811 | 10 in | 36 lb | 6 A, 25 ft cord | 1 year parts and labor, 2 years on major components | |
| Mytee CRB3017 Carpet Shark | $2,174 | 17 in | 44 lb | 6 A, 25 ft cord | 1 year parts and labor, 2 years on major components | |
| Dapper Supply 18 in CRB | $1,855 | 18 in listed (15.5 in brushes) | 51 lb | 16 AWG cord | 450 RPM | 2 years parts and labor |
Mytee's 2022 user manual lists 39 lb for the CRB3010 and 48 lb for the CRB3017, so plan on the higher figure if you carry the machine up stairs.
Mytee CRB3010 Carpet Shark 10 in
Compact CRB
Mytee CRB3010 Carpet Shark 10″ Counter Rotating Brush
$1,811
A 10 in path, 36 lb and a collapsible handle. Two soft white brushes included.
This is the smallest of the three and one of our best-selling floor machines. The collapsible handle shortens for stairs, though Mytee's manual asks for extra care there, and the 10 in path fits tight rooms and offices. It draws 6 A at 115 V, and Mytee's user manual calls for a 15 amp outlet and says not to use extension cords, so run the supplied 25 ft cord straight to the wall. Skip it if most of your jobs are large open offices, where the narrow path means more passes.
Mytee CRB3017 Carpet Shark 17 in
Wider CRB
Mytee CRB3017 Carpet Shark 17″ Counter Rotating Brush
$2,174
A 17 in path and 44 lb. Same two-motor, belt-driven design as the 10 in.
Seven inches of extra width cuts the number of passes on open commercial carpet. It weighs 44 lb and draws the same 6 A as the 10 in. Skip it if you mostly work in small rooms and stairwells, where the 10 in handles better. Both are with our other Mytee floor machines.
Dapper Supply 18 in CRB
Multi-surface CRB
Dapper Supply 18-Inch Counter-Rotating Brush (CRB) Carpet and Hard Floor Machine, 450 RPM
$1,855
A listed 18 in path with 15.5 in brushes at 450 RPM, for carpet and hard floors.
Dapper lists an 18 in cleaning path, but its brushes are 15.5 in long and the body is 17.3 in wide, so expect a scrubbed strip close to 15.5 in, narrower than the 17 in path Mytee lists for the CRB3017. At 51 lb it is the heaviest of the three. Skip it if you carry the machine up and down stairs often. See all Dapper floor machines.
Video: what comes with the Carpet Shark
Pairing a CRB with an extractor
Scrub with the CRB, then rinse and extract. For the extraction side, browse our carpet extractors. For the pass-by-pass method on an extractor, see how to use a carpet cleaning machine.
Frequently asked questions
What does CRB mean in carpet cleaning?
CRB stands for counter-rotating brush. The machine turns two cylindrical brushes toward each other to scrub the pile. It agitates the carpet and does not extract water.
What is dry compound (dry chem) carpet cleaning?
Dry compound cleaning works an absorbent cleaning compound through the pile with brushes, then the compound is vacuumed up. A CRB is one of the machines used to work the compound in. For encapsulation and how it compares with hot water extraction, see hot water extraction vs low moisture cleaning.
What is the best carpet cleaning equipment for a pro?
There is no single machine. A carpet program needs an extractor for rinsing and an agitation tool such as a CRB for encapsulation and pre-scrub work. Start with carpet extractors and how to use a carpet cleaning machine, then add a CRB from floor machines for carpet.
Can a CRB replace a carpet extractor?
Not for every job. A CRB agitates and extracts nothing. On an encapsulation or dry compound job it does the scrubbing without an extractor, because the compound dries and is vacuumed out rather than rinsed. When carpet needs rinsing, for heavy soil, residue or spills, you still need an extractor.
Can a CRB damage carpet?
It can if the brush is wrong for the carpet. Start with the soft white brushes that come with the Carpet Shark, keep the stiff blue set for low pile and glue-down commercial carpet, and try a hidden corner first on wool, loose loops or plush cut pile.
How do you remove carpet cleaner residue?
Rinse it out with an extractor, because scrubbing alone moves residue around. A CRB pass before extraction loosens it so the rinse carries more of it away. See how to use a carpet cleaning machine for the passes.
Can I use a CRB on tile and grout?
Yes, with the right brushes. Mytee lists black tile and grout brushes for the Carpet Shark: A961 for the 10 in and A961A for the 17 in. The Dapper Supply 18 in also lists tile and grout.
Add a CRB to your carpet program
