I'm thinking of getting a VAX or Bissel. Is the appliance simply rolled across the carpet (this is wall-to-wall fitted carpet), as if mowing the lawn? Or does one continually go over the same strip several times? Is there a "Techniques" page anywhere?
Oh, and how much more effective is it with a machine than doing it by hand with 1001 foam? I assume, a great deal more effective, otherwise the high price of these appliances wouldn't be justified.
MM
It's basically like hoovering. If there are persistent stains then you may need to go over them more than once.
FWIW, I wouldn't recomment a vax or bisel but one of the Numatic offerings for best results at a budget price.
DO NOT use 1001 foam (Or similar) as they leave residue behind which simply encourages dirt build up. A proper hot water extraction machine will leave the carpet perfectly clean.
sponix
When I did mine, I rented one of the "carpet doctor" machines from Focus.
It was certainly very easy, just like mowing the lawn. And I believe it had a hose with attachments for awkward corners.
Also, i'd try and get them done early in the morning on a nice day and make sure you can leave the windows open to get the carpet properly dry, otherwise you'll have a damp smell for some time.
Unless you plan on doing a lot, I'd just rent one.
HTH J
They suck up the mucky water so you can put more water down in the first place. They work faster than when you do it on hands & knees and so the water can be hotter. They keep mucky and clean water separate. You can clean carpets faster with them and you can destroy carpets faster. And don't do rugs on top of laminate flooring.
I had a look at the Numatic web site, but it gives a very poor overview of what they offer, which seems to be mainly industrial machines. Did you have a particular model in mind? I never found a specific applicance that appeared to compete directly with the VAX.
MM
You want a George, you do.
Isn't that just a vacuum cleaner than can also suck up wet stuff?
By the way, I noticed that my local Co-op yesterday was selling the Bissel QuickWash at £79.99, or *twenty quid* under the Argos price! The Russel Hobbs toaster I bought at £19.99 also undercut Argos by around £3.
MM
Vax! V-027 =A3150 does everything below
dramatically so. have tried both, theres no comparison.
key features to look for are: pumped liquid delivery, not gravity feed twin contrarotating rollers hand tool for doing edges, harder to reach areas, upholstery etc
NT
IME the most important accessory for carpet cleaners is "bloke to do it for you". It's *bloody* hard work.
Not quite. A George has a pump to spray the hot water extraction liquid into the carpet. You move the vacuum end towards you as you squeeze the trigger to get the water/shampoo onto the carpet.
Basically, water and shampoo is pressure sprayed into the carpet pile and is immediately sucked out. This means that you end up with a damp carpet, rather than a wet one.
Dave
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