Carpet cleaning?

[JenBKR]

Now that Ty is all over the floor, we are thinking of having our carpets professionally cleaned. Has anyone ever done this? Were you happy with the results? Also, there are two different methods that I have found; steam cleaning from a place like Stanley Steamer, and Chem Dry. Just wondering if anyone has ever used either of these methods and can recommend one or the other. There are some stains on the carpet, but it's only 7 years old and we just can't afford to replace it at the moment. Thanks for any comments!

[pitc9]

I can't wait to hear what people say because I need to have mine cleaned also!
Our house is up for sale and we've had 2 people say that our house smells like dog.

[Catty1]

If you have the time, it's not that hard to do yourself. Whatever you do - pick a green cleaner that is chemical free and biodegradable. Bissell makes a couple - and if you check your Yellow Pages, you'll likely find "green" cleaners. I'd go with the steam, as Chem-Dry has, well, chemicals. And if Ty is still crawling around, or playing on the floor, those can get into his system easily.

Unless you have really impossible stains, look into renting a steam cleaner. The instructions are pretty straightforward.

[JenBKR]

If you have the time, it's not that hard to do yourself. Whatever you do - pick a green cleaner that is chemical free and biodegradable. Bissell makes a couple - and if you check your Yellow Pages, you'll likely find "green" cleaners. I'd go with the steam, as Chem-Dry has, well, chemicals. And if Ty is still crawling around, or playing on the floor, those can get into his system easily.

Unless you have really impossible stains, look into renting a steam cleaner. The instructions are pretty straightforward.

We have a Hoover steam vac - it does clean well, but the stains start to reappear after about a week or so. I'd really like to have it professionally done, since they use the heavy duty, truck mounted equipment.

[Catty1]

The deep cleaning makes sense. I just hope they can use "safer soap".

[JenBKR]

The deep cleaning makes sense. I just hope they can use "safer soap".

I know what you mean - I have a few ads I am looking at from both a chem-dry company and a steam cleaning one, and they all claim to be safe for kids and animals. That is certainly the most important thing I am looking for

[catnapper]

We have a Hoover steam vac - it does clean well, but the stains start to reappear after about a week or so. I'd really like to have it professionally done, since they use the heavy duty, truck mounted equipment.

Oops, just noticed this reply..... chances are your stain reappear because it wasn't rinsed enough.

[JenBKR]

Oops, just noticed this reply..... chances are your stain reappear because it wasn't rinsed enough.

I bet you are right.....I doubt that I rinsed well enough when I was finished. I didn't realize that the soap residue attracted dirt.

[JenBKR]

I can't wait to hear what people say because I need to have mine cleaned also!
Our house is up for sale and we've had 2 people say that our house smells like dog.

But isn't that the best smell in the world?

[Edwina's Secretary]

I have had both done -- and done it myself!

I think the dry cleaning does a better job. But steam cleaning ususally uses no chemicals except on bad stains (or when they dye a spot.)

Having it done once a year can really pay for itself in the life of your carpet.

[AdoreMyDogs]

I have tile throughout now, but I used to have carpets and I've tried a few times hiring a service to wash them but nothing and no one does as good of a job as me. I'm a perfectionist and I was never happy with the job the professional service did. I decided years ago to just do it myself with one of those heavy duty machines from Lowe's or Home Depot. It's cheaper then renting a service and, as long as you put a lot of elbow grease into it, it turns out WAY better. You may be sore the next day (I always was hehe) but it was worth it.

I'd recomend just renting an industrial carpet cleaner from Lowe's and doing it yourself, but that's me.

Good luck!

[JenBKR]

I have had both done -- and done it myself!

I think the dry cleaning does a better job. But steam cleaning ususally uses no chemicals except on bad stains (or when they dye a spot.)

Having it done once a year can really pay for itself in the life of your carpet.

I'm thinking maybe having the chem-dry done for now, then have it steam cleaned once a year for upkeep. Thanks!

I have tile throughout now, but I used to have carpets and I've tried a few times hiring a service to wash them but nothing and no one does as good of a job as me. I'm a perfectionist and I was never happy with the job the professional service did. I decided years ago to just do it myself with one of those heavy duty machines from Lowe's or Home Depot. It's cheaper then renting a service and, as long as you put a lot of elbow grease into it, it turns out WAY better. You may be sore the next day (I always was hehe) but it was worth it.

I'd recomend just renting an industrial carpet cleaner from Lowe's and doing it yourself, but that's me.

Good luck!

I might look into that too...although I am sort of lazy

[lizbud]

I can't wait to hear what people say because I need to have mine cleaned also!
Our house is up for sale and we've had 2 people say that our house smells like dog.

You probably would be better off trying to catch a carpet sale & replace
the old carpeting. Consider it an investment to sell the house.

I ripped out all old carpeting & never replaced it. Just use room size rugs
in a few bigger rooms & natural hardwood for the rest. I've had these area rugs before, but just did it myself or used Stanley Steemer.

[shepgirl]

We get ours done professionally every year. We always get the same company because they use the truck mounted machines and it doesn't leave the carpets set. Slightly damp at worse. We had Chem Dry company in town but they went out of business. Nobody was happy with the results and the chemicals are harmful to pets as well as children. We don't have spots on ours, so can't comment on that but the guy who comes over always says he does carpets with "doggy " spots and they come out fantastic.

[JenBKR]

the chemicals are harmful to pets as well as children.

That is certainly a concern for me...I am going to call a couple of places and ask some questions, that being the first one.

Thanks for the replies everyone, I knew I could count on all of my pet-friendly pals for advice on trying to keep things clean!