DIY Carpet Cleaning

[Tyro]

Has anyone used any of the DIY carpet cleaning machines (Britex or Rug Doctor) that you can hire from Coles or Woolworths to clean their carpets?

Do they work?
Any tips on using them?

OR

Can someone recommend a good professional carpet steam cleaning company in metropolitan <st1><st1>Sydney</st1>.</st1>

[Wongo]

I did it once when I was a uni student. We hired one from a local supermarket. Can’t remember how much it was but it was pretty cheap. We were pretty happy with the result.

[Burnsy]

I did it once when I was a uni student. We hired one from a local supermarket. Can’t remember how much it was but it was pretty cheap. We were pretty happy with the result.

I do remember that the water that was emptied out of the machine was filthy so it must have worked and the carpets were pretty moist afterwards so I would only do it when it is warm and you can open up the house for a day or so.

[billym]

I have used both machine and fine the rug doc the better as you can get right to the edge so you do not need to hire the edge cleaner. I agree do it in the warm weather.Also , this may not happen everywhere but I went to the shop late in the afternoon and made enquiries re hire and they let me take the machine home then and returned it late next day for one days charge. Gave me time to get and early start and job done in one day.have fun

[madrat]

I have used both machine and fine the rug doc the better as you can get right to the edge so you do not need to hire the edge cleaner. I agree do it in the warm weather.Also , this may not happen everywhere but I went to the shop late in the afternoon and made enquiries re hire and they let me take the machine home then and returned it late next day for one days charge. Gave me time to get and early start and job done in one day.have fun

I agree with Billym. I too, have used both. Both worked, but definitely the rug doctor worked better.
Warm weather is a must and open all your windows/doors if you can.
The last time I hired one (last year), it happened to be on a Saturday and the supermarket was not opened on the Sunday to return it, so got an extra day for no extra charge!!!
Enjoy!

[Sturdee]

I agree with Billym. I too, have used both. Both worked, but definitely the rug doctor worked better.
Warm weather is a must and open all your windows/doors if you can.
The last time I hired one (last year), it happened to be on a Saturday and the supermarket was not opened on the Sunday to return it, so got an extra day for no extra charge!!!
Enjoy!

I have used them as well and this is definitely a summer job not for cold days. Also only use half the recommended dose of cleaning fluid and add a squirt of dishwashing liqued and a little bleach as well. Gives you twice the coverage for the same cost and works just as well.


Peter.

[Incoming!]

I've only used the Britex system and I think I got a better result than a professional clean. Possibly because I really got stuck into high traffic areas where a professional might only give one or two swipes with the machine.

Only ever used hot water as well. I did use spot remover on sections of the carpet, but kept the water in the reservoir detergent free, apart from a few drops of nilodor to help deodorise pet smells.

Heaven only knows what the long term effect on the carpet might be, but the short term effect, using the system every three months over two years has been excellent.