Carpet Cleaner Machine

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That one works just fine, uses a bit more water than some other units. I recommend earplugs though, those suckers are loud. I use 4 different machines from Hoover (that one), Royal, Rug Doctor, and another Royal brand...all work pretty well, but the Hoover and the Rug Doctor work best for regular carpet. We have a lot of special short microfiber carpet in our new facility, PITA to clean and the light color stain like crazy.

For your house, though, can't go wrong with the Hoover. Be sure too clean it out, most of the "dead" units that I have seen or had been brought to me were just full of lint and needed to be cleaned out.
 
I have a Hoover Steam-Vac.....and am extreamly pleased with it. Used properly....It cleans extremely well and your carpet is ready to use in 3 or 4 hours.

I have not used it on couches or chairs.....because we take the covers off and wash them in a gentle-cycle in our washing machine. Microfiber does not shrink and we use a product like Woolite in the washing machine. On the arms, sides and backs...I use a solution of carpet cleaner on a fairly wrung-out towel over all the areas... and then take a clean dry towel to get it dry and remove the dirt.

When doing the carpet....be sure to vacume well... prior to doing the carpt cleaning. It really pays to get out all the loose dirt before to using the Steam-Vac.

Note: I had a professional carpet and upholstry cleaning business for many years (in CA)...in my younger days.
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A bit of advice from someone who has been in the biz for almost 40 years:

Small electric machines are severely down on power, specifically suction. Spend a LOT of time dry vacuuming the areas first and spend a LOT of time trying to recover your moisture used. You can overcome almost any equipment shortfall if you use the proper compensatory technique.

Beware the exhaust. Carpets and upholstery contain a lot of life. Some is dangerous, some is not. But whenever you take a cool or warm wet solution and bathe the many spores, etc., in it they now come to life and are eager to meet you! Plus you "aerosolize" them by tumbling them in an air/water filled hose and tank. Then a portion of them is ejected out the exhaust. If you are sensitive this can be an issue for some people.

I specifically recommend you not use the products sold with these machines. Modern cleaning tech is very advanced and proper products are available in the local supply store with qualified advice. Many will also rent you a professional machine that will be VASTLY more powerful than any small piece of consumer [censored] out there. This combined with a non residual cleaning agent specifically matched to the type of cleaning job can yield dramatically different results!

The lack of heat can be a significant factor. As long as what you are cleaning is synthetic heat will really speed up and intensify the cleaning process. Additionally it can help to sterilize and deodorize as well.

Sorry, I could speak on this topic for days. Just trying to be helpful as too many I know have these types of machines gathering dust in the garage.
 
Having had one in the past I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

It's so small that it takes forever to do even a small area. The tank uses a little rubber valve that constantly leaks, and after a couple years the tank will start to split at the seams.

I tried to purchase a new tank and it cost nearly as much as the entire unit.

I've since replaced it with a Rug Doctor Mighty Pro and never looked back. The Rug Doctor also does a much better job cleaning, as well as doing tile and grout.
 
SteveSRT8 said:
I specifically recommend you not use the products sold with these machines. Modern cleaning tech is very advanced and proper products are available in the local supply store with qualified advice. Many will also rent you a professional machine that will be VASTLY more powerful than any small piece of consumer [censored] out there. This combined with a non residual cleaning agent specifically matched to the type of cleaning job can yield dramatically different results! [/quote I seem to recall in a past thread on this topic someone mentioned a home brew that was better than the brands sold with these machines. But at any rate could you manke any specific recommendations for a cleaning agent for just carpets?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
 
Bumping this topic up, since I finally have to deal with this because the couches have a buyer.

Of course, I am trying to spend as little as possible. However, I want to do a reasonably good job.

Steve, are you suggesting that I am better off renting a rug doctor? Would that have more suction power than a Hoover unit?

Thanks.
 
If you shop a bit you can find a decent rental. But they are usually abused and ignored.

Look in your local yellow pages under "carpet cleaning supplies" and call a supply house. Many of them rent high dollar portable machines and tools that will be light years better than anything at the grocery store.

Forget the consumer products. They actually don't suck. And that's why you don't want one!
 
Thanks. I'm on a budget though; I am trying to spend less than $50 if possible. I just want to get it looking halfway decent so that I won't feel too bad about selling it to a friend.
wink.gif


Do you think a Rug Doctor would be an acceptable substitute if appropriate compensatory technique is taken? If I use one, should I manually spray/saturate the couch with cleaner and scrub, and strictly use the Rug Doctor for hot water extraction with water only?
 
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
A bit of advice from someone who has been in the biz for almost 40 years:

Small electric machines are severely down on power, specifically suction. Spend a LOT of time dry vacuuming the areas first and spend a LOT of time trying to recover your moisture used. You can overcome almost any equipment shortfall if you use the proper compensatory technique.



That is the best advice, regardless of whatever machine you use. Do small areas at a time and when you're done, dry stroke the area thoroughly to get up as much water as possible.

Another tip: either pre-spray areas to be cleaned or only use hot water. If you add cleaning solution/soap to the machine, it'll stay in the carpet and attract dirt.
 
Oops, should have read you were cleaning couches. In that case, Groucho's advice is actually pretty good! I cleaned the upholstery in my car using my parents wet/dry shop vac with a spray bottle of hot water and soap. Worked perfectly and a good shop vac has massive suction.
 
Originally Posted By: The Critic
Do you think a Rug Doctor would be an acceptable substitute if appropriate compensatory technique is taken? If I use one, should I manually spray/saturate the couch with cleaner and scrub, and strictly use the Rug Doctor for hot water extraction with water only?


Yes, you will work harder but you can still do well.

Use small terry cloth toweling on the pre-spray until nearly dry, then lightly respray and extract with water. Be cautious about temp if you don't know what you're cleaning! But hot is generally more effective. Then towel again furiously, until just damp. Fans on the piece until dry.
 
Originally Posted By: GROUCHO MARX
Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
Oops, should have read you were cleaning couches. In that case, Groucho's advice is actually pretty good!


Well, even a stopped clock is right twice each day.


You just channeled your inner Gary Alan.
 
Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
Originally Posted By: GROUCHO MARX
Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
Oops, should have read you were cleaning couches. In that case, Groucho's advice is actually pretty good!


Well, even a stopped clock is right twice each day.


You just channeled your inner Gary Alan.



Yeeouch!
 
As a reminder, I'm trying to get this clean enough to sell to an acquaintance, so the goal is to get it looking reasonably clean (and odorless) for a low price. And as long as it stays clean long enough to not get me yelled at, I could care less about the long-term.
grin.gif


I scrubbed down the bad spots with a toothbrush and simple green, then extracted with hot water. The Rug Doctor I rented extracted a ton of muddy water. I repeated the process with the upholstery cleaner (super foamy, yuck) and the couch looks nearly brand new. It is a tan colored, velvet feeling microfiber couch-- definitely wasn't the smartest purchase for a college apartment.

Still debating right now, whether I want to fill up the Rug Doctor again and redo the entire couch with just clean water.
 
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