Steam Vacuum Cleaner Recommendation

[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.



Which brand is the best? Is that
Hoover - SteamVac with Auto Rinse - Desert Sand (model F7425-900) any
good?

Thanks for any info!

ZR

[Vox Humana]

"ZR" <ZR@ABC.COM> wrote in message
news:OQWaf.120876$tD4.32677@tornado.ohiordc.rr.com ...
> 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.

[billn]

Vox Humana wrote:
> "ZR" wrote:
> > 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.

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,
--
bill n

[Vox Humana]

"billn" <li&st@wi.rr.com> wrote in message
news:rQbbf.19193$5i.12616@tornado.rdc-kc.rr.com...
>
> 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.

[ZR]

"Vox Humana" <vhumana@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:QJabf.85742$Hs.84166@tornado.ohiordc.rr.com.. .
>
> "ZR" <ZR@ABC.COM> wrote in message
> news:OQWaf.120876$tD4.32677@tornado.ohiordc.rr.com ...
>> 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.
>

Thanks for the advise. Sounds like I need to rent one for a through
cleaning.

[billn]

Vox Humana wrote:
> "billn" <li&st@wi.rr.com> wrote in message
> news:rQbbf.19193$5i.12616@tornado.rdc-kc.rr.com...
> >
> > 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.

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!
--
bill n

[Michael A. Ball]

On Sat, 05 Nov 2005 04:48:46 GMT, "ZR" <ZR@ABC.COM> wrote:

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.

[Garland]

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.




"Michael A. Ball" <Guardian@wireco.net> wrote in message
news:73num1duqfcgm93levu3qaj6i20mc8kuc9@4ax.com...
> On Sat, 05 Nov 2005 04:48:46 GMT, "ZR" <ZR@ABC.COM> wrote:
>
> 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.