A LITTLE REVIEW OF THE NEW KIRBY AVALIR SHAMPOO SYSTEM

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A Kirby salesman showed me the Kirby carpet dryer-you know the deal during the demo-the Kirby guy shampoos the floor for free during his demo-and he would say the floor would by dry for your evening party!And I am sure you will have to shampoo the floor AGAIN AFTER the party!
 
Jeschbac

Yes, I would agree with you the Kirby carpet shampoo system is a safe process. But effective? NO!

All the carpet extractor manufacturers recommend that if you are cleaning a carpet which has been carpet shampooed previously that a Anti-Foam solution be used in the recovery tank. Rug Doctor even markets & sells their own Anti-Foam solution. The reason you can't feel that sticky residue with your hand is because it settles at the base of your carpets, where it attracts the dirt & the dirt settles in. Also, notice how only ONE carpet manufacturer reccommends dry foam carpet cleaning? And although the Kirby Avalir carpet shampoo system gets a Gold by the Carpet & Rug Institute, they rate the Rug Doctor extractors Platinum....so there ya go, there's PROOF you can't dispute by a independent testing body with scientifically proven techniques that carpet extractors do a better job cleaning carpets than carpet shampooers.

"Why would I want a second machine to store and use only every six months or so when one contraption does it all???" Well, I would want that second machine if it deep cleaned carpets better than a all-in-one system would. Even if I did prefer to store a all-in-one system instead of a separate vacuum & carpet extractor, I would much prefer buy, use & store a Rainbow E4 Black than a Kirby, it's Aquamate carpet extractor attachment would do a MUCH BETTER job than Kirby's carpet shampooer, & I could live with filling & dumping the water to vacuum each time.

Rex - Host may be classed as a "maintenance system", but when used correctly & on a proper schedule, it CAN take the place of carpet extractors & carpet shampooers, & produce equal results. There's a reason why there are LOTS of professional carpet cleaners that have switched from truck-mounted extraction systems to Host....IT WORKS, & it can also be safer. Also note that for Oriental & Persian rugs, carpet shampooers & carpet extractors are NOT an option....the only way to clean those rugs is to either use Host or Capture, or have the carpets sent off to be professionally cleaned in a factory. I do own a Persian rug, & have used Host a couple of times to clean it, with fantastic results.

Rob


http://www.carpet-rug.org/Carpet-fo...er-Recommended-Deep-Cleaning-Methods-and.aspx

http://www.carpet-rug.org/CRI-Testi...-Systems/Certified-Deep-Cleaning-Systems.aspx
 
Hi

I've always got on great with the Kirby shampoo system when used as directed with genuine Kirby shampoo.


We even had a professional shampoo a carpet with a <a name="start_29495.329511"></a>extractor system (I forget the name of the machine he used at this moment in time) and I'd say the Kirby got better results. The carpet seems to of got dirtier quicker as well.



 


Why I understand that there are extractor systems rated better than the Kirby in the (platinum level) there are plenty of extractor systems in the same (gold) level as the Kirby and plenty of <strong>extractor systems rated worse than the Kirby in the (silver and bronze) levels. So to say this method is bad and this one is good isn't true.</strong>


 


But at the end of the day the Kirby has still meets the CRI gold level standards for


<ul>
<li>Soil removal!</li>
<li>Water removal</li>
<li>Resists Re-soiling!</li>
<li>Does not affect carpet dyes or fibers</li>
</ul>
And for a domestic home shampooer system that's very good. So yes it is <a name="start_29495.329511"></a>effective.


 


James
smiley-cool.gif



 


 
 
Well Rob, I noticed that on the second link you provided, The Kirby Avalir has won the CRI Gold seal of approval for it's carpet shampoo system.


 


I use my Kirby shampoo system every 6 months with excellent results. My carpets do not re-soil themselves shortly after shampooing.


 


You should refrain from trouncing on another's opinion just because their Avalir shampoo results differs from your own. Just sayin.
 
For my money...

... there has been ample discussion and sufficient evidence. I've used the Kirby system here since 1992 and am well pleased. Thanks, James, for your contributions. I certainly will not be investing in an entirely different machine that is only used twice a year!! Once and for all, my carpets do NOT resoil due to any residue.
 
I haven't seen any Host commercial cleaners in my area-maybe it just hasn't caught on here.The big advantage to Host and Capture here is that it doesn't wet the subfloor.Most homes made here have particleboard subfloors-wet systems can make them warp and buckle unless promply removed and the area dried with carpet dryer blowers.Thats why I like the idea I mentioned of using your Kirby as a carpet dryer.I would like to see Kirby offer a Host or Capture carpet cleaning system.
A thing that makes me nervous about rental carpet cleaner machines-What did they last clean up in someone elses home or business?Think about it!That is where having your OWN machine is good.The Kirby can fulfill that.Same with Host or Capture machines you can own.
 
I just recently shampooed the halls of an apartment complex using the tried-and-true Electrolux dry foam rotary system (used worldwide from the 1960s at least until AB Electrolux and Lux International separated in 1998—maybe longer). Admittedly, I cannot unequivocally say that the system is better than extraction, but it's greener, easier, and just as effective. In addition, since the sub-floors are wood and have buckled in some areas the dry-foam method prevented further damage.

I agree that the manufacturers' directions need to be followed exactly. This includes THOROUGHLY vacuuming after the shampoo has crystallized. I accomplished this by making three passes (forward and backward) on each section. I was pleased by all the debris that I pulled out of those low nap, tightly-woven carpets, and the brightness of the carpet afterward.

One improvement Aerus has made with its current model S165-series of Lux Floor Pros was to remove the cord winder. I used an older model 1522 from the 1980s which has one and found the machine to be heavy after a period of use.

Regarding the extraction method it also leaves some chemical in the carpet from the extraction cleaner and requires a thorough vacuuming afterward.

Regular, thorough vacuuming and outside shoe removal are two ways to help carpets stay cleaner in between reconditioning.
 
Confused

I guess I don't get how a dry foam is "greener" than extraction. Are you stating greener because you don't have the heat the water, or is it the water usage itself.

Though any method will leave some residue, I feel that extraction uses less, especially if you do a rinse pass.

If you are saturating the carpeting to the extent of wood buckling, you are definitely doing something wrong. Most carpet manufacturers recommend, in fact demand hot water extraction in order to maintain their warranty.
 
Confused ... Seriously?

It's pretty easy to observe that the dry foam method is greener in terms of the lesser amount of water heated, used, and discarded compared to the extraction method.
 

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