Carpet Washer / Cleaner - Are They Worth It?

anotheruser

Do you own a carpet washer?

I was looking at the Vax ones yesterday although I am certain they had only 2/3 star reviews just a few months ago. However now there seems to be many many 5-star reviews.

Are they worth buying?

We thought about buying one between three or four of us, which would bring the cost down but ~£150 for one unit which may only be used once or twice a year isn't that great of an investment.

What do you think?

loracan1

I have one, had it several years - vax rapide? I don't regret buying it, managed to salvage my carpet from a paint spill and it does spruce it up. Cream carpet + two boys is not the wisest choice, been down a good few years and still looks okay due to six-monthly deep clean. It doesn't always dry out that fast so best to do it on a dry warm day with windows open and radiators on.

Vickie88

Just hire one.

I was looking into it as I want new carpets but I cant afford them just yet so just going to clean them and you can hire a carpet cleaner for the day for £15.00

GemBlueTopaz1984

Hi,

I've had a Vax Rapide XL for over 2 years and don't regret it for a second, it does all my carpets and with 2 dogs they need doing often, it has an attachment for doing the sofas and other upholstry, my mum bought one of the cheap vax ones much smaller than mine and it was no good , she was still borrowing mine, in the time I have owned it, it has done my house a number of times, my mums house, my grans, my sisters, my aunts and a number of my sisters friends and a few of my mums, everyone goes on about how good a job it does, come to think of it I might start charging.

Gem

macman

Bear in mind that they are quite heavy to use once full of water and chemicals.

jhe

i have this model http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4063610.htm with having dogs i use it regular, i am pleased with the results it cleans carpets well

[Deleted User]

We bought a VAX in 1998 when we got our dog and it's still going strong (unlike our dog, sadly). It's been lent out to neighbours, work colleagues, friends, family, etc. and is still working fine. It's a fantastic thing to have - not only to bring up spills and stains, but to just freshen up your house. You might think your carpet is clean but you won't believe the colour of the water after you've done it (yuck). I honestly think our carpets have lasted longer too. And would definitely recommend getting the proper VAX - it may be more expensive, but they're built to last. Would never be without one again.

EKEA

I did have one for a rented house but it didn't really do too much to the carpet as it was badly worn, almost no pile left! The dirty water thing is a bit of a myth as if you mixed what your hoover sucked up with water, you'd get nearly the same results. I would hoover before using any carpet cleaner.

ian103

we've got a numatic george - well worth the money as we had two dogs, good for spills / accidents etc and the occasional clean though.

our first one lasted 10 plus years [more like 15] and weve had the current one for 7 years (less than £20 / year - cheap as insurance with the pets )

jhe

EKEA wrote: »

I did have one for a rented house but it didn't really do too much to the carpet as it was badly worn, almost no pile left! The dirty water thing is a bit of a myth as if you mixed what your hoover sucked up with water, you'd get nearly the same results. I would hoover before using any carpet cleaner.

i always 'hoover' with my dyson which has a good suction before using my vax and believe me the water is disgracefully dirty when i have cleaned the carpets, unbelievable the colour of the water

ian103

i'd agree with last post.

we use a dyson everyday and the dust, grit and sand it collects is disgusting, but if we use the george it gets even more grit/sand out of the carpet.