Medium Shag Wool-Mix Carpet

[The Ranger]

My "never-will-stain-even-from-heavy-traffic" light azure carpet, a
wool-nylon mix medium shag designed for heavy traffic areas, is
starting to hold dirty grime and oil from bare feet in a manner
that makes the above marketing collateral blush.

I've used the foaming product (set it, sponge it, vacuum it away),
and I've attempted to spot it with the aerosol product. The area is
just too large and stubborn.

My next step is a steam cleaner but a quick look at the cleaners
one uses with this behemoth machine shows the clear warning, "Test
in an inconspicuous area before use. May remove dye from some
carpets." That would not be an option given the beaten animal path
I'm in need of cleaning.

As I done so often in the past, I ask the Collective for their
chosen bit-and-bytes of tips in areas that I am not as familiar in
lore and wisdom.

The Ranger
--
Beets are the Magical Vegetable; they can be pickled, peared, and
julliened and never lose their specialness.

[jamie]

The Ranger <cuhulain_-98@yahoo.com> wrote:
> My "never-will-stain-even-from-heavy-traffic" light azure carpet, a
> wool-nylon mix medium shag designed for heavy traffic areas, is
> starting to hold dirty grime and oil from bare feet in a manner
> that makes the above marketing collateral blush.
>
> I've used the foaming product (set it, sponge it, vacuum it away),
> and I've attempted to spot it with the aerosol product. The area is
> just too large and stubborn.
>
> My next step is a steam cleaner but a quick look at the cleaners
> one uses with this behemoth machine shows the clear warning, "Test
> in an inconspicuous area before use. May remove dye from some
> carpets." That would not be an option given the beaten animal path
> I'm in need of cleaning.

In my experience, the foaming product makes the carpet look cleaner
for a few days, but leaves residue that attracts dirt to look filthy
shortly thereafter.

I suggest a carpet cleaning company with a truck-mounted extraction
cleaner, to clean it and get the residue of the other junk out of it.
I suspect it will give you better results than a home-type or rental
steam cleaner.

--
jamie (jamiemck@newsguy.com)

"There's a seeker born every minute."

[Vox Humana]

"jamie" <jamie@spam-me-silly.net> wrote in message
news:slrnck1jl2.kgp.jamie@bozo2.local.net...
> The Ranger <cuhulain_-98@yahoo.com> wrote:
> > My "never-will-stain-even-from-heavy-traffic" light azure carpet, a
> > wool-nylon mix medium shag designed for heavy traffic areas, is
> > starting to hold dirty grime and oil from bare feet in a manner
> > that makes the above marketing collateral blush.
> >
> > I've used the foaming product (set it, sponge it, vacuum it away),
> > and I've attempted to spot it with the aerosol product. The area is
> > just too large and stubborn.
> >
> > My next step is a steam cleaner but a quick look at the cleaners
> > one uses with this behemoth machine shows the clear warning, "Test
> > in an inconspicuous area before use. May remove dye from some
> > carpets." That would not be an option given the beaten animal path
> > I'm in need of cleaning.
>
> In my experience, the foaming product makes the carpet look cleaner
> for a few days, but leaves residue that attracts dirt to look filthy
> shortly thereafter.
>
> I suggest a carpet cleaning company with a truck-mounted extraction
> cleaner, to clean it and get the residue of the other junk out of it.
> I suspect it will give you better results than a home-type or rental
> steam cleaner.


It is really hit-or-miss with carpet cleaning companies. Theoretically,
they can do the best job because they have the best equipment. The problem
that I find is that the business is very competitive, and you can get a
couple of high school students who want to spend about 5 minutes per room so
they can get on to their next $59 whole house job. Make sure you ask
around.

The extractor/cleaners that you can rent like the Rug Doctor aren't as
powerful as the professional equipment. However, you may end up with a
better job because you will spend the time to do a good job. As someone
recommends here, use a garden type tank sprayer to apply the detergent and
then agitate the surface. Let the detergent sit for a about 15 minutes, and
then use clear water in the rental machine. I got good results last time I
rented the carpet cleaner from Home Depot. As I recall it was called the
Big Blue Machine.

I have a Hoover carpet cleaner. It is fine for spills and to clean high
traffic areas between thorough cleanings. It leaves the floor too wet in my
opinion and isn't nearly as good as the powerful rental machines. I got rid
of most of my carpet last year and haven't had a single regret.

[Bonnie Jean]

"Vox Humana" <vhumana@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:zY50d.336139$fv.232064@fe2.columbus.rr.com...

The extractor/cleaners that you can rent like the Rug Doctor aren't as
powerful as the professional equipment. However, you may end up with a
better job because you will spend the time to do a good job. As someone
recommends here, use a garden type tank sprayer to apply the detergent and
then agitate the surface. Let the detergent sit for a about 15 minutes, and
then use clear water in the rental machine. I got good results last time I
rented the carpet cleaner from Home Depot. As I recall it was called the
Big Blue Machine.

I have a Hoover carpet cleaner. It is fine for spills and to clean high
traffic areas between thorough cleanings. It leaves the floor too wet in my
opinion and isn't nearly as good as the powerful rental machines. I got rid
of most of my carpet last year and haven't had a single regret.
************************************************** ***********

I have off white Berber on my entire second floor plus stairs. Until I have
the $5-7000 to replace it with hardwood, I was thinking of getting a
professional cleaning. I use my Bissell cleaner frequently but after living
here 3½ years and the carpet being 13 years old, I think it needs a
pro-cleaning. I can't wait to get rid of all the wall-to-wall. It's so much
cleaner.

[Vox Humana]

"Bonnie Jean" <nospam@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:aNidnaZIop8hed_cRVn-iw@comcast.com...
>
> "Vox Humana" <vhumana@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> news:zY50d.336139$fv.232064@fe2.columbus.rr.com...
>
> The extractor/cleaners that you can rent like the Rug Doctor aren't as
> powerful as the professional equipment. However, you may end up with a
> better job because you will spend the time to do a good job. As someone
> recommends here, use a garden type tank sprayer to apply the detergent and
> then agitate the surface. Let the detergent sit for a about 15 minutes,
and
> then use clear water in the rental machine. I got good results last time
I
> rented the carpet cleaner from Home Depot. As I recall it was called the
> Big Blue Machine.
>
> I have a Hoover carpet cleaner. It is fine for spills and to clean high
> traffic areas between thorough cleanings. It leaves the floor too wet in
my
> opinion and isn't nearly as good as the powerful rental machines. I got
rid
> of most of my carpet last year and haven't had a single regret.
> ************************************************** ***********
>
> I have off white Berber on my entire second floor plus stairs. Until I
have
> the $5-7000 to replace it with hardwood, I was thinking of getting a
> professional cleaning. I use my Bissell cleaner frequently but after
living
> here 3½ years and the carpet being 13 years old, I think it needs a
> pro-cleaning. I can't wait to get rid of all the wall-to-wall. It's so
much
> cleaner.

You might consider replacing the carpet with laminate flooring. It looks
nearly as good as wood and is a fraction of the cost, especially if you can
do the work yourself.