Does anybody use their Kirbys to shampoo carpets?

[scott55405]

I used to do it now and then. I thought the results were respectable and I never had the too wet carpet issue. The tank is a bit small, and mine was always clogging, but I later learned I was missing some sort of filter, so that was hardly the fault of the unit. I think it'd be great to do a room here and there, some traffic areas or a small apartment. it would be more work than it was worth to go beyond that all it one time.

These days I use my Hoover Floor-a-Matic for shampooing, with some "Zep" shampoo I found at Home Depot made for this type of unit. It cleans well, works great and barely wets the carpet. I like that the tank is big and I control the flow of the solution to the rug. Does a great job on some area rugs I have too.

Eventually and occasionally, I will have it professionally done, since I know it's good to get that stuff extracted out of there. I will say however that I think scrubbing/agitation is necessary for good cleaning, just a steam wand is not going to do the trick. Just my opinion.

 

[luxg]

Scott, I have to agree with you. I think if you really want clean carpets you have to use some type of scrubber first and then the steam hot water extraction. I have always found this to do the best job, but there again, just my opinion.

 

[myvacsrock]

I use mine weekly!!

I love my Kirby carpet shampooer! It smells wonderful and really get the stains out! I also use it when i clean people's house and they LOVE the results!!

Kyle Krichbaum

 

[Elektrolux]

Kirby Shampooer...

I do actually use mine, in part for fun to demo a classic like my D50 for friends in a rental clean up. I agree w/ above said, I find most who found issues were not using them to best technique or as directed in most cases. I do as Alex does above. I find if using different commercial foams, they do well but some require less flow so adjust as needed then shut off as soon as u put down the suds. This is another area I hope Kirby reads. I am working on a cable operated rotary valve control to handle mount to control suds flow on the spot as with an Electrolux Floor Pro. My prototype works much like a throttle or choke on a lawnmower and fixes to the upper handle to b finger controlled. I've used mine for years and never had wetness issues and in fact family or friends were impressed with how soon they can move things back or walk on.

I have part BerBer so for this I find I like my Electrolux rotary 3 brush system of the Floor Pro Again, w/ a finger control of suds you lay them down where you want when you want and agitate and scrub as desired. I like that you can spend more time on needed areas without sucking up foam too soon. I like The Electrolux Floor Pro system in general for an every day on stand by use especially in a busy furnished home. It just gets in and around things so much easier and quick to put away and set up again. I honestly just leave a mixture in machine ready for next spot clean up.

I do like using both. I like my Kirby for a nice wide open area and a good cross pattern grooming then follow with fluffier brush. I primarily use Electrolux's Turbo dry foam but I do like Kirby's non scented or for rentals I use the commercial grade w/ a stronger sanitary odor but people like that it smells clean. If you got an empty room, the Kirby is great, lay down the suds, and groom. I don't use this for a day to day at home as it is more work to take down and clean for storage then would prefer. In our case we own several Kirby's so we can keep 1 set up as a full time shampooer , vacuum and buffer.

To add, the trick to limit the wetness is to keep it moving, do not stop with suds flowing, If you must stop for an interruption, power off. The G series have much more power so use that suds control. I can clean 1 10x12 room with my D50 w/ its small tank. The Sentria , if left wide open will blow out more water. The Electrolux Turbo Floor Pro is very good with its flow control.

Kristopher

 

[Elektrolux]

Kirby Heritage 1-HD in shampoo mode

here's my example of my Heritage ready to use, and that we did. Even the family dog likes it.

 

[kirbyclassiciii]

I have one for my Classic III but my mom is concerned of me using it to shampoo the new carpeting this house has had installed in 2010 and 2011... she warns it may leave unattractive stains.

That is also the reason she does not want me looking for a Rainbow canister vacuum since dust filtration is via clean, warm water and spilling that over the carpeting would also leave unwanted stains.

~Ben

 

[Elektrolux]

Kirby shampooer on new or old carpet...

I was concerned with this as well. But I waited 1 yr b4 I did mine, the new carpet. I did use the Electrolux 1st though as it was or seemed more gentle with more control. The same I found for older carpet of 10+ yrs. I found that the Kirby's can loosen up the weaken under matting if too wet. I found they can pull up the carpet from padding if too low setting of brush roll. If care is taken, I got great results with old carpet as much as 15 yrs to look nice, especially using the fluffier brush. This is where I like the Kirby option over the Electrolux. The Electrolux Floor Pro has a set of rake type brushes, the nap lifting brush, you put in place but I always felt they were too rough on an old carpet.

 

[electrolux137]

.
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I've used my Legend II renovator a couple of times and think it does a really great job -- much better, actually, than the Electrolux B8 Carpet Beautifier.

I was also shown the technique of covering the suds outlet with saran wrap and going over the carpet a second time. My Lord, the crap that got scrubbed out of the carpet! It looked beautiful afterward and wasn't so wet that it took longer than a few hours to completely dry.

I was recently given a complete G4 and look forward to trying out the renovator.

 

[super-sweeper]

yes!

I love the Rug-Renovator on my 1-CR, it works great on both my plush, frizzy carpets, and my short pile carpets! The carpets always smell fresh and clean, plus the crap it pulls out of the carpets is always astonishing!

 

[vacuumssuck213]

wish i could...

Every time I get my g6 shampoo powerhead attatched as soon as I twist the belt lifter towards on the head buckles and falls off have no idea what's going on I perch it right. Very frustrating

 

[anthony]

how many

beat up kirbys have you seen that have had years of use while its carpet cleaning atachments are still in the box brand new it speaks volumes there little more than useless .i have tried mine quite a fiew times each time all it dose is leave the carpet wet no dirt extraction what so ever then you have to start cleaning the dam thing before you can put it away well mine has been put away for good it wont see the light of day again if i have anything to do with it .i now use an old hoover scrubber /floor polisher once i have given the carpet a good scrub i then go over it with a Vax three in one filled with clean water it rinses all the soap and dirt out really well and leaves the carpet almost dry .the Kirby contraption may work on cheap carpets but if you have good quality thick carpet i wouldnt trust it you will just end up with a wet soggy carpet that smells like wet dog

 

[super-sweeper]

Anthony,

People do not leave their Rug-Renovators in the boxes for their 'useless' factor, rather because they could not be bothered to set it up, thus leave it to sit. ANY carpet cleaner you have to clean before putting away, otherwise your letting a bag of nasty water and etc. To sit and mold + sour. The Kirby system is a breeze to rinse out in a sink, it's far simpler than that big tub of your Vax or so.


 


My carpets are not cheap, rather a luscious and plush nap.the Kirby DIGS the dirt out of the carpet, I'm always impressed.

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Yep...

<span style="font-size: medium; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Yep I agree with Alex!

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<span style="font-size: medium; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">James

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[anthony]

exactly the response i expected

dont get me wrong i love my kirby as a vacuum cleaner both as an upright and as a suction cleaner and i have used the spray gun quite a lot its great for painting the shed and fence its really fast and gets into all the nooks and cranies but the carpet cleaner na its crap .perhaps its time Kirby made the atachments optional extras then they might sell a fiew more machines to people who just want to buy what is an exellent robust vacuum cleaner but get a life guys thats all it is a carpet cleaner it aint and without some major re design it never will be

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Hi

<span style="font-size: medium; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Hi Anthony, I completely disagree with you! I've got some great results from my Kirby shampooers when used with genuine shampoos and pre treaters and as directed . That goes on different types/styles of carpet.  Especially compared to some of the other domestic shampooers on the market of which I've tried quite a few. Most of which aren't worth.....</span>


 


<span style="font-size: medium; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">But again I'm sure your expecting a response like this as well. I wouldn't want to disappoint. This Kirby collector does have a life

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<span style="font-size: medium; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">James

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[parwaz786]

I dont have a shampooer, I want a Kirby shampooer though!

I shampooed my nearly an inch think carpet in my bedroom.
What I did was use soap and boiling water and then brush it in well with a stiff broom. Then I got my Dyson DC07 Origin and vacuumed the water out and when it was full, emptied it into a bucket and went over the carpet many times till the water stopped being extracted.

 

[super-sweeper]

you bet the collector has a life!

I'm betting you used the wrong shampoo, Anthony. The genuine Kirby shampoo bubbles into a dry foam, whereas a non-genuine 'fit all' shampoo may not foam, and leave carpets wet.

 

[madabouthoovers]

What would put me off using the genuine Kirby shampoo is the cost. Its very expensive in the UK.

 

[sptyks]

The Kirby carpet shampoo system works great for me...

I think the problems that most folks on here are reporting are caused by improper use of the shampoo system. Following Kirby's official instructions will ensure success in most all cases.


 


Remember - you must make sure the Toe-Touch control is in the very lowest position or you will lay down too much suds which will cause excessive drying time. <span style="font-size: 14px;">Also make sure to lay down only one layer of suds on each pass. After suds have been properly laid down, turn the suds control valve on top of the tank to off and go over that area again which will work the suds deeper down into the carpet. This added step will make a big difference in stain removal and overall cleanliness of your carpet.</span>


 


<span style="font-size: 14px;">The final and probably most important step is to vacuum the area thoroughly. Make sure the carpet is completely dry and that your bag is no more than half full so as to get maximum suction and airflow from your Kirby. The dirt in the carpet will attach itself to the dried shampoo suds and will come out when you vacuum.</span>


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I got my Sentria with Kirby shampoo system last year and have shampooed my carpet 3 times since then with excellent results. I have a very light beige plush wall to wall carpet and you can definitely tell where sections of carpet close to furniture are darker but  the center of the room which was just shampooed is cleaner and a couple shades lighter. Of course when it's dry and I have vacuumed that center section, I move the furniture to the middle and shampoo those sections last. I now do it in reverse order and get similar results.

 

[anthony]

i have followed the instructions to the letter

on the numerous occasions i have tried the kirby and each time the results are the same .when the carpet eventually dries you vac up the residue then you are left with a sticky carpet that gets dirty really quickly as i said earlier i have had reasonable results by going over the carpet with just clean water in the vax the proof is in the bin afterwards and when the carpet is dry there is no sticky feel to it afterwards