Carpet Cleaner Machines?
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I used to work in the carpet cleaning business. I've made several posts about the subject here if you do a search.
My bottom line for good results using a personal carpet cleaning machine is you must pre-spray the carpet using a pump up sprayer with cleaning solution and then use the cleaning machine with plain hot water to rinse out the cleaner and dirt. That's the best route with an older or cheaper machine. However, many of the newer machines spray cleaning solution out in front of the machine and clean rinse behind it.
Bottom line is you must rinse out all the soap/cleaning solution for good long lasting results as dried on soap attracts dirt.
Also, it's important to use a few dry strokes on each pass where you suck up as much water as possible; that way the carpet doesn't saturate.
You really can get good results using a home cleaning machine if you use it right and slow down.
One other thing, especially if you have pets: vacuum first! Home carpet cleaning machines don't have the power to deal with lots of animal fur, unless you take them apart and clean them out often.
My bottom line for good results using a personal carpet cleaning machine is you must pre-spray the carpet using a pump up sprayer with cleaning solution and then use the cleaning machine with plain hot water to rinse out the cleaner and dirt. That's the best route with an older or cheaper machine. However, many of the newer machines spray cleaning solution out in front of the machine and clean rinse behind it.
Bottom line is you must rinse out all the soap/cleaning solution for good long lasting results as dried on soap attracts dirt.
Also, it's important to use a few dry strokes on each pass where you suck up as much water as possible; that way the carpet doesn't saturate.
You really can get good results using a home cleaning machine if you use it right and slow down.
One other thing, especially if you have pets: vacuum first! Home carpet cleaning machines don't have the power to deal with lots of animal fur, unless you take them apart and clean them out often.
Bissell Big Green Deep Cleaning 86T3 is very well like on Amazon, of 79 customer reviews, only 1 for 1-3 star the rest are 4 and 5 star.
It's a little expensive at $450 and little heavy at more than 50 lbs.
It's a little expensive at $450 and little heavy at more than 50 lbs.
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
and little heavy at more than 50 lbs.
Heavier is better for good results.
and little heavy at more than 50 lbs.
Heavier is better for good results.
Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
I used to work in the carpet cleaning business. I've made several posts about the subject here if you do a search.
My bottom line for good results using a personal carpet cleaning machine is you must pre-spray the carpet using a pump up sprayer with cleaning solution and then use the cleaning machine with plain hot water to rinse out the cleaner and dirt. That's the best route with an older or cheaper machine. However, many of the newer machines spray cleaning solution out in front of the machine and clean rinse behind it.
Bottom line is you must rinse out all the soap/cleaning solution for good long lasting results as dried on soap attracts dirt.
Also, it's important to use a few dry strokes on each pass where you suck up as much water as possible; that way the carpet doesn't saturate.
You really can get good results using a home cleaning machine if you use it right and slow down.
One other thing, especially if you have pets: vacuum first! Home carpet cleaning machines don't have the power to deal with lots of animal fur, unless you take them apart and clean them out often.
I agree with all the colored steps. I didn't do all those steps at first tried and the result wasn't very satisfy. When I did those steps and the carpet was much cleaner and lasted longer too.
I used to work in the carpet cleaning business. I've made several posts about the subject here if you do a search.
My bottom line for good results using a personal carpet cleaning machine is you must pre-spray the carpet using a pump up sprayer with cleaning solution and then use the cleaning machine with plain hot water to rinse out the cleaner and dirt. That's the best route with an older or cheaper machine. However, many of the newer machines spray cleaning solution out in front of the machine and clean rinse behind it.
Bottom line is you must rinse out all the soap/cleaning solution for good long lasting results as dried on soap attracts dirt.
Also, it's important to use a few dry strokes on each pass where you suck up as much water as possible; that way the carpet doesn't saturate.
You really can get good results using a home cleaning machine if you use it right and slow down.
One other thing, especially if you have pets: vacuum first! Home carpet cleaning machines don't have the power to deal with lots of animal fur, unless you take them apart and clean them out often.
I agree with all the colored steps. I didn't do all those steps at first tried and the result wasn't very satisfy. When I did those steps and the carpet was much cleaner and lasted longer too.
I'm glad my experience helped someone!
Here's another tip: if you've cleaned your carpet repeatedly with a machine using a concentrated solution of soap, the next time you use the machine, use nothing but hot water to rinse out all the soap. It might take 2 or 3 times to rinse out all the soap. You'll enjoy the results.
I've worked in the cleaning biz since 1972 and my experience in thousands and thousands of homes leads me to believe the following:
I think the DIY machines are a bad investment for general cleaning. Not enough power when you can only draw from one small outlet. Fine for spot cleaning and perhaps the occasional area that you need to do more often. Very messy and a bit hazardous due to aerosolization /atomization of things that are ALIVE in your carpets. The exhaust is right there in your home! Just set some of that dirty water out and smell it later! Bacterial soup! Add to that that tons of my clients have one sitting in the garage that they used a while and then quit due to the sheer mess. Buy a used one!
here's my tip if you must DIY: Rent from your local carpet cleaning supply. They're in the yellow pages and will usually rent you a big professional machine with REAL cleaning capabilities for about 50 bucks or less. At least then you stand a chance of getting something done right. These machines have huge vacs, sometimes 2 or 3 in series! Real heat also is available, and while you're there you can buy some good cleaners that are totally different from the [censored] that they sell with the DIY machines.
I think the DIY machines are a bad investment for general cleaning. Not enough power when you can only draw from one small outlet. Fine for spot cleaning and perhaps the occasional area that you need to do more often. Very messy and a bit hazardous due to aerosolization /atomization of things that are ALIVE in your carpets. The exhaust is right there in your home! Just set some of that dirty water out and smell it later! Bacterial soup! Add to that that tons of my clients have one sitting in the garage that they used a while and then quit due to the sheer mess. Buy a used one!
here's my tip if you must DIY: Rent from your local carpet cleaning supply. They're in the yellow pages and will usually rent you a big professional machine with REAL cleaning capabilities for about 50 bucks or less. At least then you stand a chance of getting something done right. These machines have huge vacs, sometimes 2 or 3 in series! Real heat also is available, and while you're there you can buy some good cleaners that are totally different from the [censored] that they sell with the DIY machines.
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I've been very happy with our Rug Doctor Mighty Pro. It's powerful enough to clean our bedroom carpets once or twice a year, and I don't have to pay for an overpriced carpet cleaning service to come out and do exactly what I can do myself. I guess if your carpets get truly filthy then you might consider a service or professional rental machine. Quite frankly, I can't imagine ever letting our carpets get that dirty to begin with.
My only complaint with the Rug Doctor Mighty Pro is the short handle. At 6'4" tall I have to stoop over to run it, and after a while it's uncomfortable. But it only happens when we do our spring and fall cleaning, so it's a minor issue.
Our 17 year old carpets in the bedrooms still look new.
My only complaint with the Rug Doctor Mighty Pro is the short handle. At 6'4" tall I have to stoop over to run it, and after a while it's uncomfortable. But it only happens when we do our spring and fall cleaning, so it's a minor issue.
Our 17 year old carpets in the bedrooms still look new.
Don't worry, there's a gazillion folks out there who understand the benefits of a professional cleaning. Thank God we're not all the same.
And BTW, I've cleaned BRAND NEW carpet and removed quite a bit of soil from it! Modern fibers are actually designed to hide soil, thus by the time you see it it's actually quite a bit dirtier than you are aware of. Plus I doubt you even get the connection between cheap cleaners and residue free systems that actually keep the carpets CLEANER and make vacuuming MORE EFFECTIVE.
Compare your RD to one of these:
http://www.butlersystem.com/index.html
Yeah, a rug doctor is just as good!
And BTW, I've cleaned BRAND NEW carpet and removed quite a bit of soil from it! Modern fibers are actually designed to hide soil, thus by the time you see it it's actually quite a bit dirtier than you are aware of. Plus I doubt you even get the connection between cheap cleaners and residue free systems that actually keep the carpets CLEANER and make vacuuming MORE EFFECTIVE.
Compare your RD to one of these:
http://www.butlersystem.com/index.html
Yeah, a rug doctor is just as good!
If you are a Costco member, the Rug Doctor is on sale a few times a year. Plus it comes with some extras. I've pondered picking one up, but I might just replace the really bad carpet. Unfortunately the dogs never learned to wipe their feet.
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
here's my tip if you must DIY: Rent from your local carpet cleaning supply. They're in the yellow pages and will usually rent you a big professional machine with REAL cleaning capabilities for about 50 bucks or less. At least then you stand a chance of getting something done right. These machines have huge vacs, sometimes 2 or 3 in series! Real heat also is available, and while you're there you can buy some good cleaners that are totally different from the [censored] that they sell with the DIY machines.
This is the hunch I've had ... so thanks for the input. I've have an older Bissell and gone over some areas 10x and still the bottom of piles are dirty. They don't have the suction needed.
here's my tip if you must DIY: Rent from your local carpet cleaning supply. They're in the yellow pages and will usually rent you a big professional machine with REAL cleaning capabilities for about 50 bucks or less. At least then you stand a chance of getting something done right. These machines have huge vacs, sometimes 2 or 3 in series! Real heat also is available, and while you're there you can buy some good cleaners that are totally different from the [censored] that they sell with the DIY machines.
This is the hunch I've had ... so thanks for the input. I've have an older Bissell and gone over some areas 10x and still the bottom of piles are dirty. They don't have the suction needed.
Originally Posted By: Drew99GT
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
and little heavy at more than 50 lbs.
Heavier is better for good results.
Not really, you have to consider airflow as well.
Get a Rainbow
Had our carpets cleaned by a professional and 2 weeks later had my in-law bring her rainbow over and it pulled a TON of crud out. 2 weeks later.
/thread
Originally Posted By: HTSS_TR
and little heavy at more than 50 lbs.
Heavier is better for good results.
Not really, you have to consider airflow as well.
Get a Rainbow
Had our carpets cleaned by a professional and 2 weeks later had my in-law bring her rainbow over and it pulled a TON of crud out. 2 weeks later.
/thread
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Sorry, but that's no Professional.
If he was a real pro he would have guaranteed the work unconditionally like we do.
We also give FREE demonstrations! Maybe that's why we grow even in a bad economy.
If he was a real pro he would have guaranteed the work unconditionally like we do.
We also give FREE demonstrations! Maybe that's why we grow even in a bad economy.
^It was Stanley... as in the Power Tool.. lol
I suppose we should give them a call. Thanks for the lift.
I suppose we should give them a call. Thanks for the lift.
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