Any thoughts on carpet cleaning?

[anna08]

We have some wall to wall carpets in need of really deep clean. I don't know whether to try to do this myself with a rental machine or bring in a service. Anyone have thoughts or experience with either? There are also choices of whether to "dry" clean them or wet. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[fkj2]

I bought a Hoover cleaner (when onsale) from Kohl's and clean carpets myself. It does a great job.

 

[deerhart]

we have a wet steam cleaner and instead of shampoo we use vinegar to clean the carpets. It helps to keep dirt from sticking to the soap residue that is left behind.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

We have a tiny steam cleaner we use for any pet messes but it can't handle big jobs.

Once I rented one from the grocery store. It was an awful mess to deal with so never again.

I tried the Kiwi Carpet Cleaning service on my neighbors recommendation and didn't like how it was done when I watched them so then I tried Stanley Steamer. They did a nice job, including moving furniture but they kept trying to sell me extra services which bugged me.

The only problem is I haven't heard of anyone better so unless someone has one they love that they mention on this thread, I may have Stanley Steamer come back out and steam the carpets before my in-laws arrive for a visit.

They stay with us for 4 or 5 days so I like to have clean carpets when they come.

 

[deerhart]

our steam cleaner is the same size as a regular vacuum. We got it from home Depot a number of years ago.

I think it runs about $250/$300 for a similiar model now.

 

[bettymae1121]

Before I gave up and just put in wood floors, I had fantastic luck with Rug Doctor rentals. The crud it pulled out was amazing! I used half the soap recomended and rinsed with plain water after shampooing.

But, my dog is older and is having problems holding it, my DH can't seem to figure out he needs to wipe his feet or remove his shoes...so I threw in the towel and now the only carpet in the house is on our stair case.

 

[cheerforchelsea]

I helped my daughter clean her carpet just yesterday. She has 3 Yorkies inside and a 9-year old daughter (with beige carpet) so you can imagine how dirty it was. I purchased a Bissel Steam Cleaner from WalMart last year (about $200) and used the Bissel Fiber Cleansing Formula (blue bottle) to clean the carpet with. It LOOKS GREAT!!!

 

[JenLanDisney]

We have a Bissell machine. It works very nicely.
For real, deep down clean (looks like the carpet is new), we had Stanley Steemer clean the rugs. I was considering replacing them, after Stanley Steemer, we decided they looked great.

 

[Halle]

Another vote for the Hoover, it's unbelievable!

 

[formill]

Hoover here too- really like it. Bought it after renting the Rug Doctor ones a few times then realized for the price of a couple rentals I could own one- only have a lot more time to use it than a day-use it in the van too and when we have had someone spill a whole drink.......

 

[AURAVAD]

I have mine done by Steam Master in North Alabama.
They do a great job and I think it is only about $80-$90 for 3 rooms and a hall.
At that price it is not worth renting and doing it yourself.

 

[sherry7]

I also have a Hoover carpet cleaner. I bought it on Amazon a few years ago, and we generally use it once or twice a year.

Just a tip...if you buy your own carpet cleaner, do NOT tell your friends and family that you have it. If you do, everyone will want to borrow it, and if they're not cleaned properly after using they will clog up and eventually break.

Even my own parents don't know I have a carpet cleaner. When I was a kid, they bought one and people kept borrowing it...and yes, it eventually broke. When they bought a new one, they kept it top secret. So my idea actually came from them, lol.

 

[quentina]

we have a wet steam cleaner and instead of shampoo we use vinegar to clean the carpets. It helps to keep dirt from sticking to the soap residue that is left behind.

Curious......white vinegar? Does it smell afterwards?

 

[sherry7]

Curious......white vinegar? Does it smell afterwards?

It will smell a little only until it dries. Vinegar actually acts to remove stinky smells in fabric, etc. A lot of people use it instead of fabric softener.

 

[Tweevil]

I also use the vinegar and water! A rug tech that was doing my carpets said that the residue from the detergents in your rug - once cleaned by home machines - are what attrack the dirt.

So I use that in my machine now for everyone once in a while or spill clean up.

I must say though I had a pro come do it once a year and my house machine or the rug doctor couldn't compete. Between the lugging, machine fees, and detergent it was costly to do it myself.

I think I got a 4 room special for $99. The pump is actually in this guys van and it dries almost to the touch. He hauls away the dirty water. Very cool to see the difference.

Hope this helps