ask carpet-cleaning LJ

[hammercock]

Ongoing toddler messes have made us wonder whether we should obtain a home carpet spot-cleaning machine. There are a couple of relatively inexpensive models, like this one and this one and this one. Anyone have any experience with these or other models that they'd like to share? Or maybe a used one to sell for cheap? larksdream has graciously agreed to lend

Comments

[earthling177]

Maybe this is not what you are looking for, but I've been *very* happy with Capture (http://www.captureclean.com/Pages/Home.aspx) -- you can get it at Home Depot or Lowe's. I like that it's inexpensive, effective and easy to use, you just brush it on, wait until it dries (about 30 minutes), vacuum it up and the dirt/stains are gone. It's very nice for small localized messes and since it's mostly dry, it doesn't tend to spread the stains/dirt like wet systems. Also, you can continue to use the room until you vacuum.

If you need to do an entire room, it gets more complicated because of the work involved.

In that case you have two options: you can rent a brushing machine or you can buy one if you really like the system and think you'll use it a lot.

People who have used a very similar system, Host Dry (http://www.hostdry.com) also say they like it very much. Places that rent Host brushing machines also sell the powder. If I'm not mistaken, Tags Hardware used to rent that system. (One of their pages shows the process and has a link to a YouTube video for the curious among us: http://www.hostdry.com/in-your-home/do-it-yourself-instructions-4)

I have a brushing machine for home use made by Sebo (http://www.sebo.us/carpet-cleaning/duo-brush-machine/dry-carpet-cleaning-machine-duo-powder.aspx), I also like their cleaning powder very much, but I'd say you should see if you like dry cleaning systems first by using Capture or Host first before you invest in the system.

Good luck!

[hammercock]

Interesting, thanks! I will keep Capture in mind also, as that looks easy and kid-safe.