Hi,
We've been getting our carpet steam cleaned by a service once a year or so. I was considering doing this ourselves to save money. I was wondering if any of you have steam cleaned or shampooed your carpet yourself? Do you rent a vac? If so, from where? Where do you get solution?
Lastly, how often do you recommend cleaning your carpet this way?
Thanks a lot!
Thanks everyone. We're going to buy a Hoover steam cleaner with excellent ratings and save tons of money!
I shampoo my carpeting once a year. Spring cleaning time. I use just a little of Basic H2 which is a non-toxic and biodegradeable household cleaner.
With kids and pets I want my house to be safe and clean.
I have done it both ways - rented the carpet shampooing thing from the grocery store, and hiring a service with a truck-mounted steam cleaner. The truck-mounted steam cleaner is worth every cent, in my opinion. The carpet gets so much cleaner.
In terms of how often you do it, I'd say at least once per year, but obviously that depends upon how dirty your carpet gets in between cleanings, what color it is, if it is thick or thin, how good your vacuum is, etc.
Anything that takes the factory stain resistant finish off your carpets will leave them looking dirtier in the long run. Chem dry is a co. the uses a dry method and they reapply a stain resistant finish. I was told form a woman with a masters degree in textiles, that the dry process is the only way to go. And you can see from people who own their own steam cleaners, they are constantly having to redo their carpets every few weeks because they no longer have stain protection.
We rent a Rug Doctor twice a year and do it ourselves. I also have my mom's carpet cleaner (either Bisell or Hoover, I forget which) and I don't even bother with it because the Rug Doctor is sooooooo much better.
I haven't seen the "where to get one"
Renting: most grocery stores up at the customer service desk; big box hardware stores (likely smaller hardware stores too).
Solution is sold at the site of rental. It's easy peasy, and you'll save a couple hundred. Try it out - the worst case scenario is you have to pay to have it done, and you're out $30-$40. Best case - you've saved $100 or more. :)
We do it ourselves.. I don't want someone else's dirt in my house.
I have a Bissell ProHeat and I love it. We have dogs so we shampoo the common area about once every 3-4 months.
The machine is less than $300 and I buy the Hoover Pet solution concentrate from Home Depot for about $22/gallon
i have my own carpet shampooer. but i don't use shampoo in it- use a spot remover. we use to have stanley steamer come in but they have gotten too expensive. they are they ones who told me not to use shampoo. and then with owning my own i can clean the carpets are i see fit and even just do a spot treatment!!!
Oh yeah, all the time. I rent the rug doctor from walmart, about twice a year.
You can rent a Rug Doctor for under $30. If the carpets are really dirty do that and keep you eye out for a good sale on a carpet shampooer. I found a Hoover at Fleet Farm for $150 and the left over shampoo from the Rug Doctor works in it.
The Rug Doctor does leave your carpets really wet and will take longer to dry.
I do my own. I have the Hoover Steamvac and love it! It was under $150. I am kind of a freak and do each room about once every 6 weeks. I have a lot of people in and out though. I get the solution at Walmart for $15.
Thats so funny you went and bought a hoover steam cleaner, because that is what I just bought a couple weeks ago and was going to recommend to you!! I love it! I have used in on my cough, floors, and my car! Good Luck! I am very picky about our carpet because we have 3 girls a dog and 2 cats, so I clean it quite often!
