madteaparty Posted August 3, 2016 Share Posted August 3, 2016 If so, which machine do you use and can you recommend it? I trust amazon reviews less and less these days... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SamanthaCarter Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 When I had carpet, I rented a bissell at Lowes about quarterly, but sometimes 4 or 5 months between cleanings. No idea about buying one. I didn't have room to even think about storing something I only used a few time a year. I did have the little green machine for spills, great little thing. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 We have one we bought on Amazon and I love it. Buy the soap at Sam's, but using just plain water works well too. Probably use it 2-3 times/year. It's a Hoover, but they've changed models since we bought ours. It was about $150. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erica in OR Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 I use the one recommended by Mary Hunt in a past Everyday Cheapskate column and really like it. I use the very hot water like she suggests, no soap. I should pull it out again to do the walking path in our bedroom. Thumbs up on taking care of carpet that had stomach flu issues on it, IYKWIM. Erica in OR 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madteaparty Posted August 4, 2016 Author Share Posted August 4, 2016 Thanks so much all. I would use Dr Bronner soap like for everything else ;) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
umsami Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Thanks so much all. I would use Dr Bronner soap like for everything else ;) Use only a tiny bit. The key to keeping clean is no soap residue. The soap residue attracts dirt. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 I have a Hoover Max Extract. In the past I've had a Bissell and another Hoover. They all work pretty well but haven't been very sturdy. I plan on having to buy a new one about every four years. I've found the name brand carpet cleaning solutions to be far superior to home made concoctions, although sometimes if I'm doing a spot clean I will use a drop of Dr. Bronner's Sal Suds and some vinegar in the "shampoo" dispenser. I clean all the carpet at least twice a year and spot clean as necessary. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dmmetler Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 I have a small Hoover one. We have elderly cats :(. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pinkmint Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 We have a Bissell that we got at Walmart a few years ago. We use it whenever a child poops on the floor and I have a gross-out nervous breakdown. I passionately hate carpet but we rent and have to compromise. I am not sure how good a job it does but it's kind of gratifying watching the almost black water being dumped after the cleaning is done. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 I have one. A hoover? I need to do it more. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vida Winter Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 I just finished our house with a Hoover. It's a pain to use but the results are spectacular. Now that I'm done I ordered area rugs for all the high traffic areas to keep them nice for a while. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 I have Bissel that we bought at Costco. I have had a shampooer in some form or other, since ds21 was a baby. I love that it is available at a moments notice and since I don't loan it out, it only has our funk in it. I am very meticulous when I am done using it, so it is stored fairly clean each time. They last me about 5 years each. It is very important to make sure they are put away dry and that the soap canister is emptied and rinsed out of the lines before you put it away. I usually leave it open for a few days before I put it away to make sure it is good and dry. I not only use it for my carpets but the furniture and cars. Ours gets used every couple of months on something or other. I do my main living area carpets once in the fall and once in spring, and do quick touch ups as needed. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hornblower Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 I rent the big wide track machine from the store. I also use the cleaning solutions they recommend + the hottest water from the tap & sometimes add Nature's Miracle or Pure Ayre to the solution. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eternalsummer Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 we carpet shampoo weekly or maybe more often (6 kids, mostly small, lots of carpet) I have one from amazon, I think the hoover steamvac I like it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rocassie Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 We generally do once, hopefully twice, a year. Spills as needed. We have Bissell but I'm not sure which model, but we've had it about 10 years now with no problems, but it doesn't get heavy use. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saddlemomma Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 We have carpet in the living room and in DD's room. The rest of the house just has a few scatter rugs. Twice a year we rent a steam-cleaner from Hannafords and do all the carpets. I'm sorry, but I can't tell you the name of the machine, however it does do a nice job. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
magnificent_baby Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 About once a year with my own Hoover, which is not nearly enough. We recently got new carpet and the salesmen informed me that many carpet warranties require professional cleaning every so many months (12? 18?) otherwise they are void. Our own cleaner will not qualify. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 When I had carpet I had a Dirt Devil steam cleaner. I also had this thing below which worked well: https://www.amazon.com/Woolite-850B-Stick-Carpet-Cleaner/dp/B0011MIECC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1470316715&sr=8-2&keywords=carpet+stick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madteaparty Posted August 4, 2016 Author Share Posted August 4, 2016 About once a year with my own Hoover, which is not nearly enough. We recently got new carpet and the salesmen informed me that many carpet warranties require professional cleaning every so many months (12? 18?) otherwise they are void. Our own cleaner will not qualify.I'm getting rid of this carpet the moment I can, but it is in very good shape currently and the removal will be part of a complete reno of the upstairs so it stays for now...I love that it is completely white(!!) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Quick question: do any of you shampoo or clean wool Kilims or other area rugs? We have hard floor, but I'd really like to use some area rugs, and don't know how to clean them well enough. What do think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommyoffive Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 So how do you keep your rugs or carpet smelling good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pawz4me Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 Quick question: do any of you shampoo or clean wool Kilims or other area rugs? We have hard floor, but I'd really like to use some area rugs, and don't know how to clean them well enough. What do think? I steam clean inexpensive area rugs all the time -- the fake Oriental kind you can get at Walmart or Target for $60+. The ones I've done have cleaned up wonderfully. The first time I attempted it I spread a clean 8x10 tarp out in the garage, hauled the rugs out there and shampooed them on top of the tarp. After I did that I realized that none of the water seeped through, so I started shampooing the rugs right in place, on top of whatever floor was under them.. After shampooing I take the rugs out onto the patio and let them dry in the sun for a few hours. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IfIOnly Posted August 4, 2016 Share Posted August 4, 2016 (edited) If you have a Starks near you, this is the best: http://starks.com/rentals. I think they are available at Ace Hardware too. One swipe is all you need vs two or three with the rug doctor or any other brand I've tried. They sell them too. Buy their shampoo too. It's amazing and cheap if you buy the larger size. It's the only shampoo I bought more than once. Water was just as good as the other junk. Ha! Edited August 4, 2016 by ifIonlyhadabrain Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katilac Posted August 5, 2016 Share Posted August 5, 2016 I have and like the Hoover FH50150 Power Scrub Deluxe, currently available at Amazon for $150. It's pretty lightweight and easy to use, much more so than any rental I have ever tried. It's also not as wide as most rentals, which makes it easier to use more often, because you don't have to move all the bleeding furniture every single time. It's been put through it's paces with a water heater leak, in addition to normal use, and it does very well. We also have a Bissell Little Green Machine that's even handier. We deal with a lot of cat puke in this house <_< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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