How do you clean your carpets -(hot water extraction)

[mattl]

Just wondering what those here who clean their carpets themselves use. I've been using an old BOL Hoover that has seen better days and I have been looking at the Bissell Pro HEAT Clean Shot 9500. The features look good, on some sites it gets rave reviews on others it gets hate, not sure why.

I like the option to rinse the carpet with clean water without removing the tank, plus having the shot of full strength cleaner available for spotting. Heating the water seems like a good idea, any down sides to it?

I'm open to suggestions, I get tired of renting a Rug Doctor for heavy cleaning. Last time I had it done it was well over $200, close to the cost of the machine.

 

[rayjay]

Carpet Cleaning

Hi, I used to do them myself, but found it easier to call in Stanley Steamer. (Not sure if they are in your area). Look for their specials. They do a fine job. The also have a contract which they will clean 2 rooms of your choice 3 times a year. I believe, mine was around $200.00.

Ray

 

[veg-o-matic]

I speak from experience

when I say that my cheap little Bissel machine does a swell job of removing assorted weiner dog output, Listerine, grape soda, and beer. Yes, things get really interesting around the old homestead at times...

I get much better results using Capture liquid cleaner than the Bissel brand.

veg

 

[nmaineman36]

I have a Kenmore made by LG carpet cleaner that does a fantastic job cleaning. I use the Hoover carpet cleaner liquid in it and does a good job. The better detergent I get at Homo Depot and its a commercial carpet detergent..i forget the name...I had it in my head and now its gone...gawd I hate getting old.

 

[mattl]

Mike, Took a look at the Sears site and didn't see anything that looked like it was made by LG. They had only 2 Kenmore listings, one was for a floor scrubber, the other was for a hard floor cleaner. How long ago did you get it?

 

[whitekingd]

I have a Bissell Pro Heat 2X. It works great for me, but, the repairman at the vacuum store said he would not sell them. Too many problems. (of course I bought mine before talking to him) I have only used mine twice, but with excellent results. The repairman said the Hoover models are much more reliable. Hope that helps a little!

 

[gansky1]

I have a Hoover, basic model Spin-Scrub and it works great. I've tried other brands, but I think the Hoover works best and is made a little better.

Whatever you buy, take good care of it - thorough cleaning, drying and storage will keep it nicer and help it last longer.

 

[oldhouseman]

I don't have

carpeting in my house but I did help a friend with one of those Rug Doctor rental units. I noticed there was a sticker on the back of it that had a number to call if you wanted to buy one of the units. If I were going to have wall to wall carpet I would certainly consider buying the heavy duty machine for cleaning. I stick with the wood floors and antique persian rugs. They are easy to send out once or twice a year for cleaning.

 

[whirlcool]

Those Rug Doctor machines are EXPENSIVE!
A few months ago we bought a Hoover Spin Scrub with upholstery spin brushes at Kohl's for $129.00. It has a lot of nice features such as large recovery tank and a "maintain the heat" heater. We vacuumed our carpets with the Miele vacuum and gave it a try in our den, which hasn't been cleaned in about 3 years. It works very nicely, it got up every stain and traffic area grime while not soaking the carpet down to the pad. We found the trick is to GO SLOW when using it.

Also the Hoover Rug detergent that comes with the machine didn't clean as well as the Bissell Pet Carpet detergent does. Even though rinsing is not needed according to the instructions you can rinse your carpet. We did this and the carpet became even fluffier. We never have any accidents from our dogs in the house, just your average everyday dirt brought in from the outside. The best thing about this machine is that the carpets are thoroughly dry in about 90 minutes. The motor air output is
used to dry the carpets faster.
And this machine also does very well on tile floors. We use it in the kitchen and the bathrooms.

 

[iheartmaytag]

I have been looking myself.

I currently have a Big Green Clean Machine that is only a straight suction canister. It does a good job, but my back kills me after doing the carpets. I have been considering the Rug Doctor to purchase, but there is a $700-$900 investment depending on which model you choose.

I have a hard time justifying this purchase for something that I would use every three months or so.

I will pass this along what I was told. You don't to buy a used machine that has been in rental. 1) Because it has been used to death or they wouldn't be selling it. 2) The company offers no support or parts for an individual owning a rental machine because they consider these machines stolen.

 

[oldhouseman]

Well then...

rent one, figure out it's parts and design and make one!

 

[iheartmaytag]

figure out it's parts and design and make one!

Oldhouseman,
You give me way to much credit for my ability to build something. I just put a Powerwheels Jeep together for my four year old. That was about the extent of my abilities.

 

[oldhouseman]

ok, think about it..

I grew up on a cotton farm at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains (think "Cold Mountain").

I was reared by my mothers parents. A wonderful childhood on a farm and I learned one big lesson: If want something you do not have you either save up for it or learn to make it yourself.

With all the bright guys here I bet we could figure out how to make one (or many) of those machines.

For that matter, I bet we could all come together and build a better washing machine and dryer than is available on the market today.

I also seriously put forth the idea that this community could put it minds and hands together and do many things that some would say is not possible.

I took on a house built in 1797 to restore that many people said should be torn down. The man that built the house served with George Washington in the Continental Army. The house is part of our nations history (the Creek Indian treaty of 1811 was signed in my Parlor) Many people saw a wreck. I saw a diamond in the dust.

Do not ever think you cannot do something.

Yea, I know you are laughing at me but stop and think.

There are many resources here. And many good people.

We can figure out how to tackle any problem.

 

[mihi]

Most recently used a dry cleaning detergent.....

I just did our downstairs rugs with a dry cleaning detergent made by Lindhaus (or actually probably made for Lindhaus by some chemical company). I used a small spotbot-type cleaner for badly spotted areas.

The dry chemical worked quite well. I'm going to post some photo's of it very soon. To use the dry cleaning method you have to have an upright with roller brushes that can be blocked from suctioning-up the cleaner. The brushes have to work the cleaner into the carpet, but not suction it up. Then after an hour or so you go over the carpet and vacuum it all up. The Lindhaus vacuum has an attachment that blocks the suction airway to make it adapt for this.

 

[laundromat]

I have the Hoover Spin scrub.I use BOILING HOT WATER and about a capful of bleach as well as the Hoover carpet cleaners made for their machines.It rocks!I faithfully do my entire carpet once a month and I have gotten out coffee,red wine,grape juice,KoolAid and oil deposits wih ease.I normaly replace the brushes every 6 months($12/cartridge)which I feel is a must to keep its performance to a max and take it to the shop anually for maintanance.The only replacement part that wore out was the spiral hose assembly that carries the detergent to the brushes.The actual hose was o.k. but the spiral coating had torn exposing the tubing making it easier to get torn.

 

[whirlcool]

Anyone remember "Glamorene"? It was a dry carpet cleaner. Does anyone know the technology used to make something dry clean your carpets like this product?

 

[iheartmaytag]

Glamorene

Was the Pic of the day about a week ago. My mother used this stuff when I was little. I remember it did a good job, you just need to have a real good vac and patients to get it all up afterwards.

Mom later used it for spot cleaning and kid accidents. It did a great job there too.

 

[neptunebob]

I have to say, I worked as a custodian at a YMCA that had the Rug Doctor and I have to say I did not like it. Noisy, heavy, and you can only cleans the carpet when you move it backwards, so it really was no fun to use. I also found that it did not get the carpets all that clean, but then again, the carpets really needed to be replaced. The upolstery tool set works very well so if you wanted to open a car detail business, then I would get the Rug Doctor. We have a Bissel carpet extraction cleaner that was about 99 dollars from QVC which seems to work for us. I know it won't last long, but at least it is not hard to use. If you really have a large area to clean, I would pick up the phone for Stanley Steemer, life is too short to struggle with the Rug Doctor.

 

[kirk280980]

I once bought a blue commercial Rug Doctor to use at home, and really didn't like it one bit. Bloody awkward to maneuver in smaller areas, and the exposed metal edges on either side of the front vacuum slot WILL gouge chunks out of your furniture and woodwork unless you're very careful. Sold it on shortly afterwards, and was not sorry to see it go. Fortunately I now run a cleaning business, so have a twin motor professional wand extractor at my disposal which I love.

For the householder who prefers to clean their own carpets, however, I really can't knock the Hoover and Bissell machines. When used properly, and at regular intervals, they do a great job. The key is to put as little moisture and detergent into the carpet as possible, and then extract out as much as you can. Less is more, and it's always safer to clean a carpet twice rather than attempting to soak it in one go.

A freshwater rinse is a good thing, even better if you add a cup of white vinegar to the tank. Residual alkalinity within the pile can increase the rate of resoiling, and may cause "browning" to occur on some hessian and jute backed carpets. By leaving the carpet as close to neutral pH as possible, these conditions can usually be avoided.

As Mike already mentioned, dry powder cleaning can also be effective. I particularly like this method because it's quick and easy, works surprisingly well, and there is no drying time necessary. Almost any upright vacuum cleaner can be used to agitate the powder into the carpet, simply by disconnecting the onboard tool hose. Definitely worth trying if you haven't considered it already.