Carpet Cleaning

[fivefordisney]

Can anyone tell me about what to look for in professional carpet cleaning? I seem to remember an expose on one of the news shows about how it can be a sham. I really need my den carpets cleaned. We moved in during the last year, had them cleaned once and they are still pretty gross. I don't want to tear them up yet because we are planning a major addition to our house. (I'll get new ones after the contractors are finished.)

Is there anyone out there with good info? Thanks a million!

 

[Zandy595]

I recommend renting a Rug Doctor machine from your supermarket or drug store. We've used a professional before and our carpets didn't look any different when they were done. My mom always uses Rug Doctor. Her friend had Stanley Steamer do their carpets a while ago. She didn't feel they were clean enough so she went out (on the advice of my mom) and rented a Rug Doctor. When she used it she said it grossed her out how much dirt still came out of her carpets. I definitely think some cleaning companies rip you off.

 

[Syrreal]

We've always had good experiences with stanley steamer. We've used them 3 times and have always been pleased with their services. They even managed to remove massively caked on kitty litter that my DH and his friend thought would be a good idea to use to clean up a flooded area in our basement.

ETA- we had tried the rug cleaners you can get at the store before we called stanley steamer and it was a waste of money to us. Didn't help at all really.

 

[Frantasmic]

I clean my own carpets usually. What I have found really works with getting the dirt out is to use almost boiling water and add 1/2 cup of some sort of oxygenating cleaner to the water until it melts.

It really pulls up the dirt.

 

[taekwondo mom]

We use Chem Dry...

 

[Cantw8]

Nothing like clean carpets

 

[WonderfulDreamer2]

Nothing like clean carpets

Yes, clean, fresh smelling carpets are a must.


I just had mine cleaned yesterday. They did a great job. We live in a rental and are about to move. Now I have a baby gate up so no one can enter the dining room (thats the only room with carpet....all else is hard wood). I just found a local company but DH works out of state and it was impossible for me to do it all alone. It was worth the money.

 

[Cantw8]

Yes, clean, fresh smelling carpets are a must.


I just had mine cleaned yesterday. They did a great job. We live in a rental and are about to move. Now I have a baby gate up so no one can enter the dining room (thats the only room with carpet....all else is hard wood). I just found a local company but DH works out of state and it was impossible for me to do it all alone. It was worth the money.

nevermind

 

[babytrees]

My husband cleaned carpets for a living.....rug doctors don't work.
He used a truck mounted system.
They also recommend 2x a year cleaning...that's whooie.
There may be stains that won't come up. If it has gotten into the carpet pad...it may look clean for a couple of days and then look icky again, a reputable company will tell you that outright.
"Wet" cleaning works(usually) better than the "dry" cleaning. The hotter they can get the water the better!!
Some companies farm out their work too subcontractors....ask if it's a subcontractor coming out...I personally would go with a smaller company.