FERRANTE wrote:
> Friends,
> I know this is way OT, but with all the home makers here, I am sure
> someone can help me.
> I am looking for a good steam cleaner for my carpets, but with so
> many to choose from, I am not sure what to get.
<snipped>

Mark, you might also want to try posting this on
alt.home.cleaning. Those people may have some more
ideas/recommendations.

Dora

On Sat, 28 Mar 2009 12:35:17 -0500, FERRANTE
> wrote:

>Friends,
> I know this is way OT, but with all the home makers here, I am sure
>someone can help me.
> I am looking for a good steam cleaner for my carpets, but with so
>many to choose from, I am not sure what to get.
> I cannot afford a lot, so I am trying to stay under $200. How
>essential is a built-in heating element? Obviously, I want one with
>two tanks. I see some offering cleaning in both front and reverse
>movements. Some offer a button to give the carpet an extra shot of
>cleaning solution, some don't.
> Considering that I cannot get everything for what I can spend, what
>should I make sure it does and contain at the very least? Any
>recommendations on a particular model or on a make/model to stay away
>from?
> Again, I apologize for posting this OT subject, but know I
>appreciate any help you can give.
>
>Thanks,
>Mark

FWIW I have one I am quite pleased with. It cleans well ( I have 2
dogs who love to roll around on "their" rug) and important to me (who
lives near a rainforest) it extracts almost all the water. I bought
it at COSTCO last year and I think it was about $200. It's a Bissell
ProHeat 2X.

I think that the built-in heating is good because I assume my dogs
have oil on their fur- and we roast coffee here and I assume the oil
is tracked onto the carpet. All in all, it is much better than the
previous one. Cons: I always need to get the directions out because
I have to review the sequence of putting the solution on the carpet
and then extracting. And I do spend time making sure the machine is
all very clean when I put it away. So you need a Philips screw driver
to dismantle the cleaning parts, but it works very well.

I bought it on the recommendation of someone who bought 2 of them, for
each of her houses.

aloha,
beans

FERRANTE > wrote:

> Friends,
> I know this is way OT,

Everything you post is "way OT", so why do your own research and
stop now?

Moron.

-sw

On Mar 28, 12:35*pm, FERRANTE > wrote:
> Friends,
> * I know this is way OT, but with all the home makers here, I am sure
> someone can help me.
> * I am looking for a good steam cleaner for my carpets, but with so
> many to choose from, I am not sure what to get.
> * I cannot afford a lot, so I am trying to stay under $200. How
> essential is a built-in heating element? Obviously, I want one with
> two tanks. I see some offering cleaning in both front and reverse
> movements. Some offer a button to give the carpet an extra shot of
> cleaning solution, some don't.
> * Considering that I cannot get everything for what I can spend, what
> should I make sure it does and contain at the very least? Any
> recommendations on a particular model or on a make/model to stay away
> from?
> * Again, I apologize for posting this OT subject, but know I
> appreciate any help you can give.

You cannot get a decent hot water extraction cleaner for under $200.

You can rent them for ~$20/day. Use very hot water. If you do not
have small children, I recommend turning up your water heater to the
max several hours before. Automatic dish detergent is cheap, and
works every bit as well as the stuff they sell where you rent the
machine. I would do the carpet once with the detergent, then go over
it again with plain hot water to rinse out the detergent. For cheap
indoor/outdoor carpet in a basement, I recommend doing your final
rinse with a very LIGHT bleach solution, say 1/4 cup per each 4
gallons. Make sure to put fans on to keep air moving so they'll dry
in a reasonable time. I have cleaned carpets professionally for 30
years.

Remember to turn your hot water heater back down, and that it will
take a while to drop in temperature. Don't burn yourself with hot
water (ouch!).

If you are going to buy, this is as cheap as I'd go at $570
http://www.samsclub.com/shopping/nav...128&pCatg=7245
>
> Thanks,
> Mark

--Bryan

Friends,
I know this is way OT, but with all the home makers here, I am sure
someone can help me.
I am looking for a good steam cleaner for my carpets, but with so
many to choose from, I am not sure what to get.
I cannot afford a lot, so I am trying to stay under $200. How
essential is a built-in heating element? Obviously, I want one with
two tanks. I see some offering cleaning in both front and reverse
movements. Some offer a button to give the carpet an extra shot of
cleaning solution, some don't.
Considering that I cannot get everything for what I can spend, what
should I make sure it does and contain at the very least? Any
recommendations on a particular model or on a make/model to stay away
from?
Again, I apologize for posting this OT subject, but know I
appreciate any help you can give.

Thanks,
Mark

pure kona wrote:
> On Sat, 28 Mar 2009 12:35:17 -0500, FERRANTE
> > wrote:

>> Considering that I cannot get everything for what I can spend, what
>> should I make sure it does and contain at the very least? Any
>> recommendations on a particular model or on a make/model to stay away
>> from?

> FWIW I have one I am quite pleased with. It cleans well ( I have 2
> dogs who love to roll around on "their" rug) and important to me (who
> lives near a rainforest) it extracts almost all the water. I bought
> it at COSTCO last year and I think it was about $200. It's a Bissell
> ProHeat 2X.

I have the same one and I am happy with it, too. I also bought
it from Costco, but I think if you used one of those 20% off coupons
from Bed, Bath & Beyond, it would have been cheaper.

nancy

Sqwertz wrote:
> FERRANTE > wrote:
>
>> Friends,
>> I know this is way OT,
>
> Everything you post is "way OT", so why do your own research and
> stop now?
>
> Moron.
>
> -sw

lol, no shit, huh?

"FERRANTE" wrote
>
> I know this is way OT, but with all the home makers here, I am sure
> someone can help me.
> I am looking for a good steam cleaner for my carpets, but with so
> many to choose from, I am not sure what to get.
> I cannot afford a lot, so I am trying to stay under $200. How
> essential is a built-in heating element? Obviously, I want one with
> two tanks. I see some offering cleaning in both front and reverse
> movements. Some offer a button to give the carpet an extra shot of
> cleaning solution, some don't.
> Considering that I cannot get everything for what I can spend, what
> should I make sure it does and contain at the very least? Any
> recommendations on a particular model or on a make/model to stay away
> from?

How often do you need to steam clean your carpeting... if more than once a
year you're too much of a slob and you shouldn't have carpeting. None of
those homeowner carpet steam cleaners work very well, neither do the
rentals... a person with average hygiene habits may need their carpet steam
cleaned once every 2-3 years... and then it's much less hassle to call in a
professional with those industrial carpet cleaning systems on a truck
outside. They'll do a much better job than you can with any consumer type
unit, they'll actually clean your carpet right down to it's roots rather
than just making it appear clean on the very upper surface. In between
vaccum throughly like once a week with a real vacuum cleaner like a Dyson...
that sucker you paid 50¢ for at a garage sale just ain't gonna cut it. And
most importantly try not to be a slob, otherwise get rid of the carpeting
and install some kind of hard flooring, like ceramic tiles. Sounds to me
like you're one of those who doesn't remove his muddy clodhoppers before
entering, who eats all over the house, spills gravy, wine, and beer
everywhere, uses the floor instead of an ashtray, and doesn't shake off his
dick real good before leaving the terlit... you can't blame all the ****
stains on your hallway carpet on Fido. If you're steam cleaning your carpet
like once every month then after a year you will have worn your carpet down
to nubs and will need new... your only question is to ascertain if you're a
slob.

On Mar 28, 2:58*pm, "brooklyn1" > wrote:
> "FERRANTE" wrote
>
>
>
> > *I know this is way OT, but with all the home makers here, I am sure
> > someone can help me.
> > *I am looking for a good steam cleaner for my carpets, but with so
> > many to choose from, I am not sure what to get.
> > *I cannot afford a lot, so I am trying to stay under $200. How
> > essential is a built-in heating element? Obviously, I want one with
> > two tanks. I see some offering cleaning in both front and reverse
> > movements. Some offer a button to give the carpet an extra shot of
> > cleaning solution, some don't.
> > *Considering that I cannot get everything for what I can spend, what
> > should I make sure it does and contain at the very least? Any
> > recommendations on a particular model or on a make/model to stay away
> > from?
>
> How often do you need to steam clean your carpeting... if more than once a
> year you're too much of a slob and you shouldn't have carpeting. *None of
> those homeowner carpet steam cleaners work very well, neither do the
> rentals...

I do this for a living. Last week I probably spent 15-20 hours
extracting carpet. The Rug Doctor rentals are fine for home use. A
very important number is inches of water lift. This one, which is
much like the rentals, has 101".
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden...3/product.html

--Bryan

On Sat, 28 Mar 2009 13:09:49 -0400, "Dora" > wrote:

>FERRANTE wrote:
>> Friends,
>> I know this is way OT, but with all the home makers here, I am sure
>> someone can help me.
>> I am looking for a good steam cleaner for my carpets, but with so
>> many to choose from, I am not sure what to get.
> <snipped>
>
>Mark, you might also want to try posting this on
>alt.home.cleaning. Those people may have some more
>ideas/recommendations.
>
>Dora

Thanks!

Mark

On Sat, 28 Mar 2009 12:16:56 -0500, Sqwertz >
wrote:

>FERRANTE > wrote:
>
>> Friends,
>> I know this is way OT,
>
>Everything you post is "way OT", so why do your own research and
>stop now?
>
>Moron.
>
>-sw

If anyone is a moron, it is you ****face.

Mark

On Sun, 29 Mar 2009 00:20:45 -0500, FERRANTE
> wrote:

FWIW, if you knew about alt.home.cleaning previously and didn't post
your query here - I would have missed some good information.


--
I never worry about diets. The only carrots that
interest me are the number of carats in a diamond.

Mae West

On Mar 28, 1:16*pm, Bobo Bonobo® > wrote:
> On Mar 28, 2:58*pm, "brooklyn1" > wrote:
>
>
>
> > "FERRANTE" wrote
>
> > > *I know this is way OT, but with all the home makers here, I am sure
> > > someone can help me.
> > > *I am looking for a good steam cleaner for my carpets, but with so
> > > many to choose from, I am not sure what to get.
> > > *I cannot afford a lot, so I am trying to stay under $200. How
> > > essential is a built-in heating element? Obviously, I want one with
> > > two tanks. I see some offering cleaning in both front and reverse
> > > movements. Some offer a button to give the carpet an extra shot of
> > > cleaning solution, some don't.
> > > *Considering that I cannot get everything for what I can spend, what
> > > should I make sure it does and contain at the very least? Any
> > > recommendations on a particular model or on a make/model to stay away
> > > from?
>
> > How often do you need to steam clean your carpeting... if more than once a
> > year you're too much of a slob and you shouldn't have carpeting. *None of
> > those homeowner carpet steam cleaners work very well, neither do the
> > rentals...
>
> I do this for a living. *Last week I probably spent 15-20 hours
> extracting carpet. *The Rug Doctor rentals are fine for home use. *A
> very important number is inches of water lift. *This one, which is
> much like the rentals, has 101".http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden...Upholstery-Ste...
>
> --Bryan

I have a question. Why is it professionals (at least around here)
only clean wall to wall carpeting? I've used bound w/w carpeting
(let's say 10x12) as an area rug in the past but they wouldn't give me
the time of day when I called to have it cleaned.

> wrote:

>I have a question. Why is it professionals (at least around here)
>only clean wall to wall carpeting? I've used bound w/w carpeting
>(let's say 10x12) as an area rug in the past but they wouldn't give me
>the time of day when I called to have it cleaned.

Weird. You think in the current economic client rug cleaner
types would not be in a position to turn down a job.

Roll it up and take it to your nearest Middle-eastern carpet
dealer, they will clean it for you or will know someone who will.

Steve

wrote:

> I have a question. Why is it professionals (at least around here)
> only clean wall to wall carpeting? I've used bound w/w carpeting
> (let's say 10x12) as an area rug in the past but they wouldn't give me
> the time of day when I called to have it cleaned.

I don't know where you are, but Stanley Steemer is just about
everywhere and they clean area rugs. I don't think it matters if
it's a wool oriental rug or a bound carpet.

nancy

> wrote in message
...
On Mar 28, 1:16 pm, Bobo Bonobo® > wrote:
> On Mar 28, 2:58 pm, "brooklyn1" > wrote:
>
>
>
> > "FERRANTE" wrote
>
> > > I know this is way OT, but with all the home makers here, I am sure
> > > someone can help me.
> > > I am looking for a good steam cleaner for my carpets, but with so
> > > many to choose from, I am not sure what to get.
> > > I cannot afford a lot, so I am trying to stay under $200. How
> > > essential is a built-in heating element? Obviously, I want one with
> > > two tanks. I see some offering cleaning in both front and reverse
> > > movements. Some offer a button to give the carpet an extra shot of
> > > cleaning solution, some don't.
> > > Considering that I cannot get everything for what I can spend, what
> > > should I make sure it does and contain at the very least? Any
> > > recommendations on a particular model or on a make/model to stay away
> > > from?
>
> > How often do you need to steam clean your carpeting... if more than once
> > a
> > year you're too much of a slob and you shouldn't have carpeting. None of
> > those homeowner carpet steam cleaners work very well, neither do the
> > rentals...
>
> I do this for a living. Last week I probably spent 15-20 hours
> extracting carpet. The Rug Doctor rentals are fine for home use. A
> very important number is inches of water lift. This one, which is
> much like the rentals, has
> 101".http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden...Upholstery-Ste...
>
> --Bryan

I have a question. Why is it professionals (at least around here)
only clean wall to wall carpeting? I've used bound w/w carpeting
(let's say 10x12) as an area rug in the past but they wouldn't give me
the time of day when I called to have it cleaned.

The professional carpeting steam cleaners where I live will clean area
rugs, but they will roll them up and bring them to their plant where they're
dry cleaned. Many bound area rugs require special cleaning techniques so
they don't fray, unravel, or otherwise become ruined... expensive oriental
rugs definitely require special care. And sometimes after they take your
rug and examine it they'll phone and say they can't clean it and then make
arrangements to return it... often people have area rugs that are too poorly
made, too delicate, and/or too worn to withstand professional cleaning. If
they ruin your rug they could be liable. With in-home steam cleaning they
have you sign a waiver that indemnifies their liablity for damage. The
honest cleaners will strongly recommend you don't clean a rug they deem have
a high likelihood of becoming destroyed.

wrote:
>
> I have a question. Why is it professionals (at least around here)
> only clean wall to wall carpeting? I've used bound w/w carpeting
> (let's say 10x12) as an area rug in the past but they wouldn't give me
> the time of day when I called to have it cleaned.

Just guessing, I'd say it's because wall-to-wall carpet
is always a commodity item of known value, just in case
any damage is attributed to cleaning.

How is the cleaner going to know whether or not your
rug is a $50,000 Bokhara carpet? If the business owner
sends out teams on their own, he can't trust them not
to do virtually unlimited damage if they are allowed
to attack any project the customer wants.

"How was I to know the dye in the rug was water-soluble?"

"It's crazy they'd make a rug that way!"

On Sun, 29 Mar 2009 10:22:05 -0700, sf > wrote:

>On Sun, 29 Mar 2009 00:20:45 -0500, FERRANTE
> wrote:
>
>FWIW, if you knew about alt.home.cleaning previously and didn't post
>your query here - I would have missed some good information.

Thanks for your support!

Mark