STORM2K

That's a myth! Even though Home Depot said their "small" upright carpet cleaner was their most popolar rental (meaning, if everyone rents this one, it must be easy to use). Sure it was easy but it was very heavy! So heavy I only did my family room (our high traffic area) and 8 steps going up to a landing (what the hose attachment would reach). I have a weight restriction, shouldn't lift anything heavier than 40-50 pounds for life. Oops! Not for back reasons, for abdominal incision reasons. But over time, I've been lifting and moving things around. No problems. I'm just glad I stopped when I did! And even though I stopped, my left elbow is very sore today! Figure that one out. Used it for only 2 hours, tops. But it worked better if you dragged it backwards, repeatedly. At least that's what I was told. It was too heavy to move forward, in a vacuum motion.

I borrowed a simple upright cleaner from a relative 2 years ago. It worked great, easy to lift. Had to change the water more frequently, but that's not much of a problem. She hires this job out now, so I wish she'd sell it to me.

No more big rentals for me. And if I can, I'm either hiring this job out in the future or buying a simple, small one for home.

Buyer beware type post from me today! I love how these rental guys tell you over the phone - oh we have a 'small' upright cleaner....lightweight....yeah right!

Mary

I rent the "Rug Doctor" frequently ( from CVC, Publix). I'm not certain if that is the same as the one Home Depot rents. It is fairly easy to use except you do have to change the water a lot. ( At least 4-6 times per typical room).

Portable??? Lightweight?? Well, that is a relative term. It is easy to push ( actually "pull" as it really only works in the backward motion) but it is tough loading it in and out of the car.

I have found that I can get the carpets cleaner using the "Doctor". I've hired some local "pros" and was greatly disappointed in their work and charges.

Home Depot's is the same shape as the Rug Doctor. Only difference is HD's is blue, not red. But it's the same weight and design.

I just know I won't rent again!! They really should rent lighter ones!

Ibuprophen is helping!!!

Mary

I use to rent the Rug Doctor from Win Dixie.. Just to much of a pain and the dang soap is so expensive.. I find it easier just to pay to have it done.. You can get some realy good deals

You HAD to mention shampooers. Between the dogs, the kids, and my step grandson.....

I've used rugdoctors, and the blue machine. They're ok, but till you get the upholstery atachment, it's like $25 for 24 hours. We do it so often that we just use laundry detergent in it. We got a small dirt devil machine, with the small tank, and it does about as well.

Key to pet stains: Repitition over days. Once it dries, it comes back up, but not as strong as before.
Best Quick Fix: Shout laundry pretreatment fades out stains temporarily, but as soon as the carpet gets wet again, the stain comes back up.
Worst Stain: Red Kool Aid.
Biggest mistake: Using bleach to try to get rid of kool aid stain
Biggest problem: what to do about the big white spot on a beige carpet from using bleach to try to get rid of the kool aid stain.

Supposedly, the dyes in kool aid are chemically similar to the dyes in carpets. Normal cleaners that wont fade a rug won't touch it! There is supposedly a product out there that does it. I'm going to experiment with ways to fix the white spot. (coffee in a spray bottle?)

http://www.baneclene.com/catalog/redrelief.html
for kool aid stain removal!

Thanks Alicia!

Yes, even the smallish ones (e.g., Rug Doctor) are heavy...

About the soaps, etc. Don't buy their shampoo--but DO BUY the anti-foaming agent and use it according to the directions...

Use powdered spic-and-span (mix according to box instructions) instead! It is cheaper and does a much better job. Any residual smell will be a faint pine odor... Really cleans the rug and will pick up a remarkable number of stains.

Since bleach actually permanently removes the color from the fibers, you cannot "clean" off the bleach. What you are going to need to do is buy fabric dye that is the right color and re-dye the fibers in the white spot. If you are dealing with beige, you might consider using extra-strong brew of tea (liptons, etc.) to dye the white spot... At least it would not be as white... You'd have to periodically do this again, because it would fade somewhat with washing, etc. but it will die the carpet fibers.

Since you are not actually going to DRINK the tea, what you want to do is put 2-4 tea bags in a pot with about 2 cups of water and BOIL it until you get a really dark tea. Use that brew to die the white spot...

Thanks Persepone!
Since we are renting this house, carpets will be a big issue. (ka-ching, ka-ching)

I really like my sister-in-law's upright carpet cleaner. The size of an upright vacuum cleaner and I want to say it's a major brand name - Hoover? She bought it at Kmart and that's where you buy the cleaning solution (some of which I still have from 2 years ago, should have used that in the Home Depot cleaner). I actually dilute the cleaner in a bucket of hot water and use a scrub brush on stains.

She said her cleaner cost less than $200. With a dog now and this house taking a beating, I'm going to start looking for my own, on sale. It was so much easier to manipulate than the Home Depot one. My only problem with it 2 years ago was I was going to clean 8 rooms over 2 weeks. But one day I was fed up with this big job taking so long, I did 3 rooms, a hall and steps in one day. And then wham, my right elbow was giving me lots of trouble - I could barely hold a blow dryer! Couldn't hold a coffee pot unless I put my left hand under my right elbow. Took 2 months for that to go away!

So if I buy my own, I'm going to self impose a schedule - one room a month maybe. And always the Family Room before xmas.

Mary

PS - I have another sister-in-law who has hardwood floors in her house. She just rolls up her rugs and bound carpet pieces, calls the dry cleaner, they come get them. Some are oriental pieces so I'm sure the price tag is pricey to have them cleaned. But she has this done every summer, before she goes back to teaching in the Fall. She swears this is the way to go. I don't know....I like having wall-to-wall carpeting in bedrooms. But it's a thought for when we downsize someday and end up in a condo. Something to think about.