Does anybody use their Kirbys to shampoo carpets?

[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!

</span>


 


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

</span>

 

[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

</span>


 


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

</span>


 


 


 


 

 

[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>


<span style="font-size: 14px;">
</span>


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

 

[super-sweeper]

have you tried a diffrent

Carpet? Perhaps the problem is not in the machine!

 

[anthony]

the above pic is the sticky residue

i was talking about if the carpet is allowed to dry with this lot in it it feels sticky afterwards so what i do is rather than have to dismantle the Kirby then fit the carpet washer i simply use the hoover scrubber that dose a far better job them remove the dirt and water with the vax the results are exellent .I did a test some time ago with a offcut of cream carpet i poured honey coffe gravy and some black treacle on it then left it out in the garden in the sun all day till it was totally dried [i didnt clean it straight away like they do on those silly tv programes ]next i tried to clean half of it with the Kirby it loosened all of the dirt and even managed to flick some of it into the suds tray but the big brown stain was still there i then left it to bake in the sun again till it was dry then i did the other half with the Hoover scrubber rinsing with the vax the lot was gone in one go a couple of hours later the carpet is dry and more important not sticky

 

[kirbymodel2c]

Hi

<span style="font-size: medium; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Hi, As I've mentioned before I get that same residue on many makes and models of vacuum cleaner coming in for repair.</span>


<span style="font-size: medium; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Most if not all don't own a Kirby. Many own Vax and Bissells shampooers. Some don't have any carpet shampooer at all. </span>


<span style="font-size: medium; font-family: book antiqua,palatino;">Also I don't get any residue like this on my Kirby rug plates. Nor are my carpets left sticky.</span>


 


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

</span>

 

[sptyks]

Sounds like...

<span style="font-size: medium;">Too much foam was laid down. Possibly the toe-touch control was not all the way down.</span>


 


<span style="font-size: medium;">What kind of shampoo was being used? Was it Kirby shampoo?</span>

 

[sptyks]

Sounds like...

<span style="font-size: medium;">Too much foam was laid down. Possibly the toe-touch control was not all the way down.</span>


 


<span style="font-size: medium;">What kind of shampoo was being used? Was it Kirby shampoo?</span>

 

[anthony]

everything

was done to the letter and yes Kirby cleaning products were used

 

[Elektrolux]

I further agree.

I primarily use Electrolux Turbo in my Kirbys mainly cause it's what I have on hand. Not any more expensive then Kirby but I am used to it. My dogs like it. I've used Kirby as well as other commercial dry foams with good results. For rentals, I use Franklin Dry Foam which is more concentrated so it can go further or produce good suds.

I actually use my vintage Kirby Dual Sanitronic 50 w/ its original Rug Renovator w/ satisfying results compared to the big "G" series. Not better, just good for its age. I empty 1 little tank per room but it works. Just a note, this would be the 1st running model of 1965 where we are introduced to the, then called, "Rug Renovator" known now as the Carpet Shampoo System. Notice the same basic design exist today. I don't mind using this in small room s since the stay is shorter so you can get closer and more snug fit up against ways where tray can't get.

Be sure to store your shampooer tray in its box properly in the fitted cradle so not let sit on its soft rubber guides. This, if deformed, will cause uneven foam spreading. The older kits didn't sit in bottom but take care to set down so not to let other items lean against the rubber. Keep facing to side of box.

Easy to clean up as said many times. Not the quickest, but easy. To help dry out the brush I lift roller and let spin for a moment, usually 30 seconds, before taking apart to help make clean up a little easier. If brush is dry, you can simply comb out dry foam & dirt by hand so you are not waiting a long time to put away. Avoid putting away with a wet brush.

 

[super-sweeper]

a Flat shampoo cap!?

Well, look who's the new Kirby expert on the block!

Even I didn't know of a Flat cap, wonder how the shampoo was supposed to be measured?


I wonder if the housewife used the measuring cup she kept handy after another successful cake!

 

[Elektrolux]

Rug Renovator measuring cup & cap

The cap is same fitting as the later with cup built in. But the 1st runs used this flat cap but supplied a matching 2oz measuring cup seen in photo. Notice the small cut out to assist in pouring. Everything else about this 1st generation take is the same. Suds filter scree was a tighter woven fabric so clogged faster. The intake foam dirt filter sponge old style foam broke down with age so count on getting a new 1 if using it. It's smaller in diameter then the "G" series but same thickness so you can trim 1 down just fine. I'd use a newer suds filter screen as this made for better suds. These "2" components are essential in producing good suds or putting out too much water too fast. Check liquid tube to make sure it flows freely. Fill tank in sink and tip foreword. water should slow steadily out the suds nipple with screen removed. Use new foam dirt filter sponge, clean if dirty. dirt hair and fuzz will be stuck here.

 

[Elektrolux]

Kirby D50 Rug Renovator

Here's the Rug Renovator on the D50 going to work. Handled very well. With the right suds screen you can get a nice steady slow peed of suds lay down as to not have to move so fast to keep up.

 

[super-sweeper]

using Electrolux shampoo,

In a KIRBY system!? Oh, the horror!

I guess you can teach old Kirby experts new tricks,I never knew that!

 

[Elektrolux]

RE: in a Kirby system,

Lol, yes, It's what I had on hand for regular use. I do like and use Kirby shampoo when I have it.

 

[nova_candy]

Here is my Omega set up to shampoo

 

[captchar]

When I had a classic 3, I did use it, as it was the only shampoo machine we had, I do have all the attachments for an Omega but no Omega, so yeah ive used one, it got all the stuff out of the carpet, carpet was slightly damp still but even my Bissel leaves it just as wet so...

 

[human]

I've got four Kirbys with shampoo systems--a Legend II, a G7 Diamond and two Sentrias, but I've never used any of them. I offered to try one out on a friend's carpet where her young nephew spilled a soda, but somehow we never got it together to do that. The G7 Diamond had obviously been used extensively with the shampoo system and the original owner apparently tended to be impatient to finish the job because the floor nozzle was absolutely caked with dried-on debris and the belt lifter was rusted out from vacuuming wet carpet.

I have to agree that while Kirbys come with an impressive array of tools, re-configuring the machine is a bit of a pain. When attachments are needed, I'm far more likely to pull out one of my trusty Electrolux canisters.

I also have a Bissell Little Green machine, which is great for small spot cleaning jobs on carpet or upholstered furniture, but it certainly would not be satisfactory to try to do a whole room with it on one's hands and knees.

 

[panasonic1053]

Whoa

Whoa you need to calm down!

 

[panasonic1053]

Ew

Using a kirby to shampoo carpets is akin to vomiting on them.
The fan with all that FILTH rotates the other direction, still coated with FILTH and you use that to clean your carpet?

 

[rainbowd4c]

I use mine just because it's quicker than my Rainbow. The dry time is a lot quicker.

 

[rivstg1]

@rainbowd4c. I concur!!!!! do more of that too