Does anyone have a diy recipie for kirby shampoo?

[paul]

I was skeptical about using Zep High Traffic Carpet Cleaner in my Electrolux Model 1522 Floor Pro, because the directions state that it should be blotted with a damp cloth or sponge after it has penetrated a stain. So I called Zep's commercial division and asked for the company's recommendation.

I was told that ZEP COMMERCIAL DOES NOT RECOMMEND USING ITS HIGH TRAFFIC CARPET CLEANER IN ANY MACHINE, because it's a potential fire hazard and could otherwise damage a machine. The company insisted that said cleaner is formulated only for spot cleaning by hand.

Zep Commercial used to carry "High-Foam Carpet Shampoo" but has since discontinued it. In case some stores haven't sold all their stock I've posted a photo of the container with the label below.

I've actually been using Kirby Shampoo with satisfactory results in the Floor Pro since it's cheaper than Aerus's Turbo Shampoo, and I can get it at a local Hardware Hank store at a fixed price (Aerus's pricing varies from franchise to franchise). There are other slightly less expensive commercially-formulated dry foam shampoos such as Stain-X and Franklin that are available.

Homemade carpet shampoos may appear to work fine but will likely leave residue and may eventually cause premature wear unless well-rinsed and extracted afterward. It's too risky. Also, it would be more labor-intensive and use more resources if rinsed.

 

[rivstg1]

I used it ...finally

The red bottled one, from the suggestion of an ex-kirby sales guy and repair technician. It worked beautifully, and smelled great. I"d recommend it

 

[paul]

Zep High-Foam Carpet Shampoo company description:

Environmentally preferred carpet shampoo designed for deep cleaning. “Dry” foam allows for rapid drying and a quicker return to use. Inhibits surface resoiling and leaves behind a fresh fragrance. Safe on stain-resistant treated carpets.
• For use with bonnet cleaning
• “Dry” foam formulation allows carpets to be cleaned without excessive wetting of carpet and pad, prolonging the life of the carpet
• Resists resoiling
• Safe on stain-resistant treated carpets
• Does not contain chlorine bleach, ammonia, ozone-depleting ingredients, carcinogens, "butyl" solvent or chlorinated solvents
• See label for dilution rates


Zep High-Traffic Carpet Cleaner company description:

•Enzyme action for removing pet stains and odors
•Designed to clean tough spots
•Ideal for everyday use
•Not for use with or in extractor/steam carpet machines
•Cleans pet stains such as vomit, urine and feces from carpet
•Cleans pet stains such as vomit, urine and feces from fabric
•Cleans pet stains such as vomit, urine and feces from upholstery
•Removes coffee stains out of carpet
•Removes dry ink stains out of carpet

 

[rivstg1]

good post Paul,

I haven't tried the 'high-foaming' one, just the high traffic one, its suds were perfect! better than my Kirby shampoo for sure.

 

[tekjunkie28]

What about a Rainbow shampooer? How does that compare. I alway thought the Kirby shampooer was the bomb??

 

[rivstg1]

I have both

I like them both...I feel the rainbow ‘truly cleans’....b/c it’s an extraction type of cleaner ( water in and water coming out), I feel it’s a more thorough cleaning Device ... but I like the ease of the kirby dry foam...less water...but I still use fans to help accelerate the drying just like I do with the Kirby. I don’t get the slaw feeling of ‘clean’ ....probably b/c I can’t see the results like I can with the dirty water of the rainbow

 

[s_brisowitz]

Ammonia, Summer's Eve, and bleach... Nothing stands a chance not even the brine incident of 76!

 

[ultralux88]

Oh, hold the line, the brine isn’t always on time...

Smells like the spirit of 76...

 

[s_brisowitz]

Morris Mattress

In all actuality my uncle Mark used a Kirby to make a few small repairs on the Morris Mattress (had stains of various shapes and sizes) back in 1970! The Morris Mattress was a town legend in the town of Morris, just an old stone's throw from Minneapolis. Let's just put it this way, we faced something other than the Nation, but the bed was saved!

 

[vacuumdevil]

@s_brisowitz I concur ammonia and bleach is the best homemade Kirby shampoo out there! Leaves no residue in the carpet too .

 

[kirbysthebest]

ammonia and bleach

I would caution using these two together. The resulting chlorine gas cloud will clean out your lungs pretty fast.

 

[vacuumdevil]

@kirbysthebest Nonsense ! Ammonia and bleach is Safe

 

[luxflairguy]

Mix bleach and ammonia together? NO WAY! It's a ticking bomb!!

 

[dysonman1]

Throw in a big squirt of Dawn to the bleach and ammonia mixture before adding to your Kirby. It's the same formula that Martha Stewart uses for 'personal cleansing'. It will also take grease off your oven walls, so I know it will help the Kirby renovator do the very best job of removing spilled Pepsi from the rugs.

 

[myles_v]

I personally add a few drops of lavender essential oil to my bleach/ammonia/Dawn mix, it really helps give the house that special fragrance. There's no need to worry about your carpet smelling bad if you're cleaning it with bleach and ammonia!

 

[kirbysthebest]

Since we are going to the bizzar.

No one has mentioned using gasoline. IT's a great solvent, now comes with 10% alcohol for disinfection purposes, and ensures that your guest won't smoke in your house. (At least more than once.)

 

[royalfan]

@luxflairguy Don't be a pussy! Try it with lavender!

 

[s_brisowitz]

Dysonman1

When my grease trap needs emulsified, I only use Mustard Gas! I use the moth ball attachment on an old Kirby to turn my rainy day to a sunny one.

 

[vacuumdevil]

Wonderful advice! @s_brisowitz

 

[hooverkid]

Encapsulating Shampoos

The most important difference between extractor shampoos and dry shampoos is an encapsulating polymer. That's what makes dry shampoos dry into a brittle film that can be vacuumed away. Without an encapsulator in your diy solution all your gonna do is leave soap all over the carpets and dirt is going to stick to the carpet a lot faster. Currently I'm using hot knife extreme from VacAway and it is a really good cleaner. Assuming the kirby tank holds 1/2 gal,you would use between 1 1/2 teaspoons-1 tablespoon of cleaner per tank and that works out to 9-18 cents per tank and between 256 to 512 tanks per gal depending on strength. Compare that to kirby solution your looking at 2 tablespoons of cleaner per tank,that means 1 gal of kirby shampoo will last for 128 tanks and cost about 24 cents per tank.If you like the convenience of the kirby shampooer it is worth getting an encapsulating shampoo.