Carpet Steamers

[dullard]

I have a cat (formerly cats). Thus, I have the occasional carpet mess. I hope to have kids, thus I will continue to have carpet messes. Professional cleaning is too expensive and hand scrubbing is miserable.

Consumer Reports rated home carpet steamers many years ago (I can't find that article anymore for some reason) and said they were pretty bad. So I avoided them.

But I recently borrowed a carpet steamer and it got out 90% of the stains. I'm satisfied with that result. $130 for the whole lifetime of steamers is 1/3rd the cost of just one professional clean. I want to buy one.

Any recommendations? Any complaints?

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

I can't recommend a Cleveland Steamer. Oh wait, that's not what you asked . . .

 

[SpazzyChicken]

Originally posted by: DonVito
I can't recommend a Cleveland Steamer. Oh wait, that's not what you asked . . .

Ha ha ha ha ha 😀


And professional cleaning isn't that expensive....did you call around for prices?

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: DonVito
I can't recommend a Cleveland Steamer. Oh wait, that's not what you asked . . .

That would increase my problem. So, you are going the exact opposite direction of my needs. I like your train of thought though.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: SpazzyChicken
And professional cleaning isn't that expensive....did you call around for prices?

Yes, they all advertise something like <$200 for my needs (based on number of rooms and sq.ft) and as soon as they enter the house, that amount doubles.

 

[dirtboy]

Rug Doctor 4tw.

 

[iRONic]

When we had w-w carpeting we rented the one at True Value for $50/weekend. Every six months worked for us. Three kids, two cats, and a dog.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

you will never get the same results as a professional. if you are fine with that, then your best bet is to rent a cleaner. The home versions (Bissell steamers, etc.) don't do a very good job.

 

[nakedfrog]

I forget exactly which model it is, but we have a Bissell that cost something like $175 at Walmart, and it's done a nice job so far. We have a dog, cats, and kids, and the worst thing about it is that if it's been a while since you did the whole room, you can't use it to spot-clean (unless you don't mind having one spot on your carpet that's noticeably cleaner 😛)

 

[spidey07]

I use a mid/top of the line bissel with great results. Clean it at least once a month, professionally clean 1/2 times per year.

For any spots I break out the SpotBot! go-go-gadget spotbot! You just set him down and he goes to town.

 

[Kaido]

Rug Doctor if you're mainly concerned about carpets.

Ladybug XL 2300 if you want to steam clean other stuff too.

Pricey, but you can do it yourself whenever you want. Good tools aren't cheap 😛