Kirby shampoo system review (pic heavy)

[matt8808]

I did a shorter review around 4 years ago when I first bought my Kirby brand new.

However this time we have a much more realistic challenge and some surprising results.

So this is my grandparents house. They are both in their 80's and I go over once a month or so to give the place a thorough vacuuming.

Prior to christmas I'd pointed out that their living room carpet could do shampooing and said that I would do it after the holiday period.

On new years day my gran cut her leg open and managed to get two blood stains on the bedroom carpet.
So shampooing the living room turned into shampooing the living room, hallway and bedroom.

Their carpets are wool. In all honestly I hadn't expected the Kirby to remove the blood stains. However it is much easier to use than my shop vac style extraction machine so figured I had nothing to loose by trying the Kirby on the blood stains first.

So here is the setup. Kirby Sentria II, Kirby shampoo system and genuine shampoo, and for the pre-vacuuming of edges I'm using my AEG handheld machine as it is more convenient than using the hose on the Kirby (I only bother with the Kirby hose for larger or messier jobs).

 

[matt8808]

Everywhere got a VERY thorough going over with the Kirby in vacuum mode prior to shampooing.

Here are some before pictures..... Notice how soiled the small rug is by the sliding patio door. And there is traffic soiling by the doorway into the kitchen....

 

[matt8808]

During shampooing.....

 

[matt8808]

After pictures.... The biggest difference in the living room is the rug by the patio door.....

BEFORE AND AFTER.....

This rug got 3 passes with the shampoo system. Everywhere else got two passes and then I went over it all again with the carpet fluffer only to spruce up the carpet pile

 

[matt8808]

Some more after pictures of the living room.... The traffic marks by the kitchen doorway have improved vastly. Carpet pile is restored.

There looks to be a darker strip in front of the sofa.... This is just the way the carpet pile is stood as it dries.

 

[matt8808]

Now... for the most surprising result of all....

Remember the blood stains I mentioned in the bedroom?

They were blotted with a damp cloth the previous day when they first occurred.

NO pre-treating has been performed.

3 passes with the Kirby shampoo system andddd.....

Before & After.....

 

[matt8808]

All the after pictures are taken immediately after shampooing as the natural light was starting to fade as it got dark outside.

I returned the following day to give another thorough vacuuming with the Kirby to remove the crystallised shampoo deposits.

Carpets look much fresher and all traffic marks and stains are removed resulting in very happy grandparents.

There are obviously situations where an extraction machine would be needed, but in this instance the Kirby has delivered superb results.

It gets a thumbs up from me!

 

[dysonman1]

I've always thought the Kirby did fine with getting rugs clean that are discolored by dirt. In my personal situation, much of the discoloration in my rugs are caused by something wet, mostly the dog's feet coming back in the house after rain or snow. My dogs are large, heavy dogs who have tails that sometimes knock drinks off the coffee table when they wag them.

I have found that using the Kirby shampooer as a scrubber first, then go over the rug with the Hoover Max Extract 77 using only clean water to 'rinse', works brilliantly.

 

[human]

Brilliant job...

...on those blood stains. You could go into business as a crime scene cleaner. And to top it off, the color scheme of your grandparents' carpet complements the Sentria's color scheme so nicely.

 

[sleepdoc]

Great job!

Looks like the Kirby did a really good job; the carpets look great! I use my Sentria II shampooer fairly often. Both Kirby and the Electrolux/Aerus FloorPro shampooers perform to my approval when I don't need or want to use an extraction system. Very nice thread, thanks for sharing!

I'm attaching 4 pics from my last round of shampooing with the Kirby a few months ago. I was very happy with the results.

 

[ronni]

Marvelous results with the Kirby Shampoo System; thanks for sharing. Your grandparents are fortunate to have your help (I hope your gran has healed by now)!

I have also had successful results with the dry foam shampoo method using an Electrolux Model B-8 triple brush cleaner; albeit I've thankfully never had to remove blood stains. As you mentioned the pre- and post- vacuuming must be thorough, and I would add that following the other manufacturer's instructions is crucial.

Conversely, others have reported varying degrees of success with the dry foam shampoo method which makes me wonder if the shampoo has a shelf life or if the shampoo formula makes a difference. I see that you used the Kirby brand which is composed of: ammonium lauryl sulfate, water, anionic surfacants, acrylic copolymer, chelant, and a preservative.

Here is the 2009 Material Safety Data Sheet: http://www.allstatevacuum.com/PDF/Kirby_Scented-Regular-Carpet-Shampoo_MSDS.pdf

___


I agree that a rinse after the drying and post-vacuuming is beneficial. I wonder if using vinegar water would be even more effective in neutralizing any remaining residue? While an extraction rinse would be better, I would think that a spray rinse (using a regular hand-held pump sprayer or evem a dedicated garden sprayer) might be an effective method if a person doesn't have an extractor.

 

[ronni]

Sleepdoc, I think your carpets turned out magnificently, as well!

 

[ronni]

I neglected to mention that I used the Electrolux Rug Washer (manufactured from 1962-87) on my stairs along with my rugs and car interior and that worked wonderfully, also.

Electrolux also had 2 other products over the years that could be used on stairs: the Turbo Tool w/Rug Washer attachment (1957-62) and the Little Pro rebadge sold in the early 2000s. It's unfortunate that Electrolux chose not to market them for stair usage or sell them as a carpet reconditioner package with the Floor Pro like Kirby's Shampoo System.

 

[martin187]

Awesome results, Matt!
P.S. I hope your Gran's leg is okay!

 

[brycerivers]

I just brought my dog in from outside

I will be using Franklin's super upholstery shampoo and clorox bleach.

 

[brycerivers]

After

After

 

[crazykirbydude]

About that AEG...

I have a vacuum just like that. It's called the Eureka EasyClean here in the US.

 

[rvarley]

Thanks for the detailed review with photos and good on you for helping out your grand parents. I like their place and that wool carpet looks wonderful.

 

[tekjunkie28]

Wow excellent pics and results. My rainbow Aquamate came in last week and I have been using it extensively. I would rather have a Kirby but I think I will just keep the Rainbow and buy a Kirby and jus that's the best of both worlds!