Since this is opinion- and not factually-driven, it felt like IMHO not GQ.
So. Share your experiences with using the kind of carpeting cleaner or steamer that is typically rented at a supermarket/ drug store/ hardware store. Doesn’t matter what brand, I’m interested in ANY tricks and tips that can help me out.
I need to deeply clean two smallish rooms. The carpeting is close to 20 years old and has never been cleaned. Only vacuumed. I figure the deepest of steam or chemical cleaning machines can only do so much in this situation, but I’m prepared to give it a good shot.
Anything to avoid? Anything to go for? Types of machines? Types of cleaning methods? Chemicals used or not used?
Help !
I rented one a couple months b/c I’m still stuck with carpet in my den. ( Hope to change that within another year or two)
I don’t know if I can name brands, but the one I rented did a pretty nice job of sucking the dirt out, however it didn’t have attachments for my stairs, so I won’t be renting one again without attachments. If you don’t need attachments though, that won’t matter.
… Also look over machine before leaving store that you rent it from, make sure it’s in good working condition. I’ve rented many times through the years and sometimes I would get one that would leak or not work as well. Some places keep them up, some don’t.
I have owned the kind that cost a few hundred or so, they aren’t worth it if you want a deep clean. The last cleaning I did with the rental I could tell the difference, and decided I would just keep renting one to clean carpet till I can finally get it replaced with something besides carpet.
One more thing, some are easier to maneuver than other brands. The Rug Doc used to be the easiest for me to work with. The last one I rented was very upright and stiff handling.
Good luck, it’s a pain to do, but worth it if it’s only been vacuumed. By the way, I purchased my cleaning solution from a regular store, the kind that had an allergy reducer in it. They say use the brand that intended with it, but they sure do mark up the price of the cleaning solution. The solution I used was for pets and allergies, even though I don’t have pets and my carpet smelled so fresh afterwards.
I had previously worked as an extraction/steam carpet cleaner.
Then, for my house, I used Rug Doctor machine and Rug Doctor cleaning liquids. RD kicked my professional product/technique’s butt!
I also used boiling water to add to the Rug Doctor machine, rather than hot-from-the-tap.
Did the pre-treatment: Spray, hand-scrub the dirtier parts, overall carpet vacuum and agitation with a broom, to get the dirt to rise to the top.
Skip the supermarket/hardware store unit, go to a rental yard and ask for a professional unit. But don’t buy their cleaner. handsomeharry is right, Rug Doctor makes a damn fine product, best I’ve found.
Good stuff all. Will pursue a professional unit with retail cleansers. Thanks !!!
I got one many many moos ago from a supermarket, it was defective and put way too much liquid into the carpet, took a week to dry (mold anyone?) well moved out of that location, so left that behind. But anyway I would be mindful to how it seems to work and stop if things are getting to damp.
Since your carpets are so old and never been cleaned, if you can afford it, you might look into hiring someone to do the job. In my experience it’s been pretty reasonably priced (although more than renting a machine).
We have one of those home steamer units which I think does a decent job. Plus its always there when you need it.
Now if I was going to do a big room or the whole house I’d go with having a pro come out and do it.