We've got some grime in our carpets that just doesn't seem to want to shift
with regular carpet cleaning chemicals and I was wonder about investing in a
steam cleaner (perhaps one like this http://preview.tinyurl.com/o22vhh).

Does anyone have any experience of this model or similar machines?

Tim

On Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:17:03 +0100, "Tim Downie"
wrote:

We've got some grime in our carpets that just doesn't seem to want to shift
with regular carpet cleaning chemicals and I was wonder about investing in a
steam cleaner (perhaps one like this http://preview.tinyurl.com/o22vhh).

Does anyone have any experience of this model or similar machines?

That one appears to be the higher pressure sort which are somewhat
better than the low pressure ones. As carpet cleaners they are a pain
to use. You wrap a towel cloth or supplied pad around the larger
cleaner head and do about a square foot of carpet after which you
change the toweling or pad and go on repeating the process until you
loose the will to live or watching Neighbours on TV becomes an
attractive alternative.

A proper carpet cleaner will be far better. Steam cleaners don't get
out dirt at the root of the fibres but just clean the top surface (not
particularly well). Be very careful if using them on upholstery with
a velvet type finish as they can alter the nap direction and leave
very obvious marks which last for ever.

They are good for kitchen tiles and engine component degreasing.

"Tim Downie" wrote in message
...
We've got some grime in our carpets that just doesn't seem to want to
shift with regular carpet cleaning chemicals and I was wonder about
investing in a steam cleaner (perhaps one like this
http://preview.tinyurl.com/o22vhh).

Does anyone have any experience of this model or similar machines?

Tim

I have a Vaporetto steam cleaner which I use for carpets. However, I would
not now recommend a steam cleaner for cleaning carpets - a shampooer works
better. I have no idea if it would shift your stain but I suspect not.
There are some stains on my carpet that I just cannot shift using either
steam cleaning or using specialised detergents. My next step is to use a
mild bleaching agent but not before testing it on a hidden bit of carpet to
ensure that it doesn't affect the carpet colour, only the stain. Try some
of the oxy cleaning agents available or something like sodium
metabisulphite.

Peter Parry wrote:
On Thu, 13 Aug 2009 13:17:03 +0100, "Tim Downie"
wrote:

We've got some grime in our carpets that just doesn't seem to want
to shift with regular carpet cleaning chemicals and I was wonder
about investing in a steam cleaner (perhaps one like this
http://preview.tinyurl.com/o22vhh).

Does anyone have any experience of this model or similar machines?

That one appears to be the higher pressure sort which are somewhat
better than the low pressure ones. As carpet cleaners they are a pain
to use. You wrap a towel cloth or supplied pad around the larger
cleaner head and do about a square foot of carpet after which you
change the toweling or pad and go on repeating the process until you
loose the will to live or watching Neighbours on TV becomes an
attractive alternative.

A proper carpet cleaner will be far better.

I have hired a Carpet Doctor from one of the supermarkets before but I
wasn't too impressed with that if that is what you mean by a "proper" carpet
cleaner. I suspect that too many sticky drinks have been spilt by chilrden
for any cold (or warm) shampoo system to remove.

Steam cleaners don't get
out dirt at the root of the fibres but just clean the top surface (not
particularly well). Be very careful if using them on upholstery with
a velvet type finish as they can alter the nap direction and leave
very obvious marks which last for ever.

Thanks for that. We have a suite with a synthetic suede surface. Would
that suffer in the same way?

Tim

On Thu, 13 Aug 2009 14:59:32 +0100, "Tim Downie"
wrote:


I have hired a Carpet Doctor from one of the supermarkets before but I
wasn't too impressed with that if that is what you mean by a "proper" carpet
cleaner. I suspect that too many sticky drinks have been spilt by chilrden
for any cold (or warm) shampoo system to remove.

If its at that stage you may not be able to get it right. I really
doubt if a steam cleaner would do anything worthwhile.

Be very careful if using them on upholstery with
a velvet type finish as they can alter the nap direction and leave
very obvious marks which last for ever.

Thanks for that. We have a suite with a synthetic suede surface. Would
that suffer in the same way?

Quite possibly, try somewhere you can't see first and leave it a day.
What looks like a damp mark may be permanent!

On 13 Aug, 13:17, "Tim Downie"
wrote:
We've got some grime in our carpets that just doesn't seem to want to shift
with regular carpet cleaning chemicals and I was wonder about investing in a
steam cleaner (perhaps one like thishttp://preview.tinyurl.com/o22vhh).

Does anyone have any experience of this model or similar machines?

Tim

A good clean will sort them out I think.

First pre-spray the carpet with a pre-spray detergent, then agitate
the pre-sprayed carpet, clean the carpets with a proper machine and
hot water....as long as the carpet isn't wool. Once you have shampooed
the carpet you should go over with just fresh water and finally do
some dry passes to removes as much moisture as possible.

Prochem chemicals are excellent.

Get a commercial machine such as:

http://www.hss.com/g/58312/Carpet-Cleaner-Large.html

And commercial Prochem chemicals should be available from a local
janitorial supplier.

Tim Downie wrote:
We've got some grime in our carpets that just doesn't seem to want to
shift with regular carpet cleaning chemicals and I was wonder about
investing in a steam cleaner (perhaps one like this
http://preview.tinyurl.com/o22vhh).
Does anyone have any experience of this model or similar machines?

Completely & utterly useless for cleaning carpets.

If you have tried DIY without success, get a NCCA member in to do the job.
http://www.ncca.co.uk/membershipdirectory.php


--
Dave - The Medway Handyman
www.medwayhandyman.co.uk