Carpet cleaners

Juicy_Tube

Just wondered if any of you had invested in a carpet cleaner machine, i.e. a vax machine?

Is this worth doing as opposed to getting someone in to do it?

If you have a machine, what do you recommend? Are they easy to use? How often do you use it?

Many thanks in advance for any help and tips!

JT x

grant1wish

Just wanted to say that I am too looking to get my carpets cleaned as my daughter is at the stage where she likes to spill everything. So just setting up to receive an email when someone replies (sorry for jumping in)!

Thanks

G1W

tru

I borrowed an industrial machine from hubby's boss, that was easy to use so I would have thought a Vax was even easier (and probably a lot lighter ) The only problem is the cleaning fluid or powder that you find in the shops, they have soap in which leaves a tiny amount of residue on carpets/furniture which makes future dirt stick so it's more difficult to clean next time round. Try asking around carpet shops for industrial cleaner, someone might be willing to order some for you

pickle

I have a vax and use the shampooer about once every 3 months - depends on how dirty the carpet gets - i'd recommend a shampooer as it's a hassle to hire one and it's a one off cost. I just use a little dishwashing liquid (about a teaspoon) instead of the expensive products they recommend and it works fine. The vax is fine - the only thing is that the head of the vacuum (which you also use for shampooing) is a bit floppy and can be quite annoying but you get used to it- the other thing is that you have to be careful not to step on the end of the tubing as it is easy to break the connector (but they posted me out a new one at a small cost), but they may have a new model now (mine is a few years old). It cost me, i think, about £150. The old model they had out around 15 years ago was much better in my opinion.

Juicy_Tube

Thanks for replies so far!

JT x

RayDudfield

I bought a Bisell carpet cleaner for 200 notes about three years ago after being disgusted at the amount you pay to hire or get some-one in. money well spent, the whole family and friends use it and it REALLY gets the crud out of your carpet and extends the life, will be buying another when it breaks

MATH

I've got a 15yr old vax and it's still going great. Used daily as a regular vacuum and as a shampooer 2-3 times a year. Also very good a cleaning out blocked drains and defrosted chest freezers full of water.

I know of a number of peeps who have had companies in to clean their carpets and the results are no better than doing it yourself with a vax IMO

To combat leaving detergent in the carpet by going over the carpet after shampooing using suction only to remove as much soap as poss. Then shampoo again using clear water only to rinse the carpet and then suction only to speed up the drying time. HTH

Ticklemouse

I have recently invested in a vax but am in agreement with pickle, that the older ones were much better. However, saying that, I'm glad I have one because with small children, they can be a godsend. I would normally try and shampoo when the particular room needs it but at least once or twice a year. Recently, DS1 had a tummy bug so I spent one day having to shampoo bedroom, bathroom and hall carpets!! That's when you're glad they're in the cupboard. I just need to do DS2's bedroom as he's felt-penned on the carpet!

With regard to having a professional in, I have good and bad stories. At my old house, I replied to one of those fliers that fell out of my local paper - you know the ones "we'll clean your house for £35" (Seems always to be that same company in Hampshire, no matter where you live) It's a con as by the time they've done what youactually want, it's over £100 and the job was crap. However, I recently had to have some carpets cleaned as part of a mystery shopping job. My dining room was a real state, what with my kids and the red wine stain the previous people left. They did an absolutley fantastic job. I would actually call them in again if I needed a really good, deep clean as the did it well, and for not much money too. (They also confirmed my doubts about the Hampshire company)

I did try one of those big Bissell's but I didn't like them - heavy and used loads of cleaning liquid. Also need to empty the water more often than a vax. See if you can borrow one and give it a try.:)

Nobby_Nomates

I think the main problem with this type of advert in the local papers, “Carpet cleaned for £35.00” Is that people who offer this service have no Idea what’s involved in professional carpet cleaning, anyone can buy a commercial carpet cleaner, but very few can use it properly without specialist training.

If someone gives you a quote over the phone, run for the hills. We call them “Splash and Dash” in the trade.

On average a 14 foot by 14 foot carpet, takes our team one hour and thirty minutes to prepare and clean. Your splash and dash merchants will have done your whole house by then, and be down the pub spending your money!!!

I think the main problems with carpet cleaning, is the client expectations; they all seem to expect a brand new carpet after it has been cleaned. But in reality no one can make a ten year old carpet look as good as the day it was fitted. It will be clean, but tired and worn out carpets, still look tired and worn out after cleaning.

We probably clean over twenty carpets a week, but I turn down around over twenty in the same period. Because the carpet is to far gone, no pile left to clean!! No professional company will give you a price for a carpet clean without seeing it beforehand.

Most domestic carpet cleaners do a reasonable job but they are very dependent on the cleaning chemical used in them. Try not to use supermarkets carpet cleaning chemicals. Or the ones that came with the machine.

You would be better off buying professional products, from a commercial chemical supplier, such as Johnson Enhance or Prochem Fibre & Fabric Rinse.

If you see picture in the advert of a carpet being cleaned, the bit they have cleaned looks brand new! and the rest of the carpet look dirty, trust me it’s shoe polish wiped on a brand carpet before the picture was taken, another nasty little trick that disreputable carpet cleaner use.



Now can someone pass me back my toys I have thrown out of my pram!!!!

beefster

We have use of a cleaner but as with other previous messages have found that the carpet gets dirtier qucker after the first clean. Screwfix have a carpet sealer spray for use after cleaning / wash.

Has anyone any experience of it or another solution to the problem?

mel734

I've had a Hoover Brush and Wash for five years and love it! I would definitely recommend an upright as I also owned a Vax for many years and after a while got fed up with the physical effort I had to put in. With a toddler and a four year old I keep a small amount of cleaner and water in it so that the ultimate spillages are cleaned immediately. I cleaned my sisters cream carpet recently which she was going to replace as she thought it was beyond cleaning and every stain came out using hoovers cleaning fluid - I use vax cleaning liquid too.