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Homeowner Forum / Cleaning / February 2006Steam Vacuum Cleaner Recommendation
Sorry if this is the wrong group. I'm trying to get a steam vacuum cleaner to clean my carpet. I'm looking for one that 1. Actually works (will clean stain on carpet). 2. Easy to use. Don't need to switch tools around during cleaning. Which brand is the best? Is that Hoover - SteamVac with Auto Rinse - Desert Sand (model F7425-900) any good? Thanks for any info! ZR > Sorry if this is the wrong group. I'm trying to get a steam > vacuum cleaner to clean my carpet. I'm looking for one that > > 1. Actually works (will clean stain on carpet). > > 2. Easy to use. Don't need to switch tools around during cleaning. I had the Hoover model that I used for years. Both mine and my sister's lasted for about 7-8 years and then broke. My sister got a Bissell and it was bad out of the box. She exchanged it a couple times and finally gave up. The bottom line is that these are fairly light weight units and are good for maintenance between cleanings. They are good for spots and for touching-up traffic lanes. For a good cleaning, I recommend that you rent a better unit at least once a year. The Rug Doctor or the blue machine from the Home Depot rental department are much better than the household machines. The home units leave the carpeting fairly wet despite what they say. Technically, none of these units produce steam. They simply spray a solution on your carpet, scrub, and then sucks the solution up. A better term is "extraction" cleaners. For a better cleaning, you should use the machine to put down and scrub the carpet without the vacuum on. Let it sit for about 20-30 minutes, and then turn on the vacuum and suck-up the detergent. Then, go back over it with plain water. > > Sorry if this is the wrong group. I'm trying to get a steam > > vacuum cleaner to clean my carpet. I'm looking for one that [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > vacuum and suck-up the detergent. Then, go back over it with plain > water. Just a question. Do you think this is a better method than having someone come out with a truck mounted machine? It's time to have mine done again, and although rental would be a lot less expensive [and I am willing to do it myself] it just seemed to me a truck mounted machine would do a better job. Thanks and regards,  Signaturebill n > Just a question. Do you think this is a better method than having someone > come out with a truck mounted machine? It's time to have mine done again, > and although rental would be a lot less expensive [and I am willing to do it > myself] it just seemed to me a truck mounted machine would do a better job. Theoretically, the truck-mounted units are more powerful and use hotter water so the cleaning should be more thorough. The issue is the operator. The carpet cleaning business is incredibly competitive. Often the professionals run specials to do "X" rooms or a "whole house" for a fairly low dollar amount, hoping that you will buy add-ons like deodorizing and stain repellant applications. Often they have two college boys or someone who they hired from an inner-city lot filled with day laborers. They make their money from volume. Most any cleaning job will look good immediately after it is done. It might be a few days later when everything is dry that you really see that not much has changed. In other words, truck mounted equipment operated by qualified people who spend the time to do spot treatments and move all your furniture will be superior to anything that you could do yourself. In reality, you will probably spend the time to do a thorough vacuuming first. You will use spot treatments and pre-treat high traffic zones. You will go over everything twice if necessary and will follow-up with a rinse of clear water. Therefore, unless you can find a really reputable firm to do the cleaning, I think you are better off doing it yourself. > > Just a question. Do you think this is a better method than having > > someone come out with a truck mounted machine? It's time to have [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > reputable firm to do the cleaning, I think you are better off doing > it yourself. Thanks Vox. I've often thought about pre-vacuuming [and really, I do vacuum before they come], but I've never had anyone offer to vacuum before they start cleaning, nor have I ever seen a vacuum cleaner among their equipment in their truck. You've made some very good points. Thanks! Signaturebill n >> Sorry if this is the wrong group. I'm trying to get a steam >> vacuum cleaner to clean my carpet. I'm looking for one that [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > Then, > go back over it with plain water. Thanks for the advise. Sounds like I need to rent one for a through cleaning. I can't improve on what Vox said, but I do have a different recommendation. For any home owner or even renter who has a lot of carpet, or even a lesser amount of carpet that gets dirty quite often, I recommend buying a small one-piece professional extractor. I bought a small demonstrator from a source I know and trust. Later I added a wand for stairs, a tool for drapes and upholstery, and a 20 foot hide-a-hose. I'm really set, and it only cost about $2,000. I know that sounds like a lot, but the results are worth every penny. The extractor has five jets and a horizontal, dual chevron brush. The added tools are an invaluable addition. I make my truck upholstery look as good as new! Machines such as Rug Doctors can't come close to the efficiency of this unit. I know this isn't for everyone, but it really works for me. Whatever it takes. I don't think a professional is necessarily going to do a better job than you doing it yourself at home, unless you have a very difficult carpet. Though you should get a steam cleaner that has a good extraction motor, wet carpets can shrink. If they're synthetic, then no worries. Its worth getting a more expensive machine if you have woollen carpets. > I can't improve on what Vox said, but I do have a different > recommendation. For any home [quoted text clipped - 20 lines] > > Whatever it takes. I've read the comments and advice in this thread and understand that "home" units are not the best route to take, but assuming one has their heart set on owning a compact home unit, which ones are worth the money? I'm considering a Hoover Agility or a Eureka Atlantis. On line review sites such as Epinions seem to only have love it or hate it reviews which aren't really helpful. I live in a small apartment which means I don't have a lot of heavy duty cleaning to do, but it also means the path from my front door to living room couch is a high traffic area. Thanks. > Sorry if this is the wrong group. I'm trying to get a steam > vacuum cleaner to clean my carpet. I'm looking for one that [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > ZR |
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