Kirby Shampooer

[tekjunkie28]

I have a sentria 2 and I want to get the shampooer system for it. It is apparently $250 from my "local" dealer. I see that goodvac has an avalir 2 shampooer that they list for a lot less and it says it will work with a Sentria 2. Is this correct and is goodvac a good play to order from? Where else could I order from if not??

 

[lesinutah]

Um

Good vac is good. If you bought a vacuum from them it's where people have issues.
If you have the money the avalir shampoo system is a little nicer. I have a sentria and the avalir shampoo system fits sentria, sentria 2, avalir and avalir 2.
You can compare the two see if it worth it. Great vacs you should have no problems with. I believe they are a Kirby authorized dealer. They are alot cheaper than your local dealer. They are probably the biggest used vacuum sealer distributor in the US. There out of south salt lake City Utah In west Jordan.
Les

 

[blackheart]

Sentria II

Found one! One of the local shops has one and they would be willing to ship. They're asking $50 + shipping cost. If you'd be interested let me know and i'll give you contact details.

 

[tekjunkie28]

I actually purchased the shampooer from goodvac. I got the avalir 2 model. Now I just need to find a Avalir 2 HAHAHAH

 

[lesinutah]

Avalir 2

The sentria is same motor as the avalir 2. If you switched out handle and trim there would be almost no difference.
You will like the avalir shampooer. It's very user friendly.
Les

 

[tekjunkie28]

I should get my shampooer today. Is there anything I need to know for best technique or anything? I’ve only used steam vacs and the rainbow shampooer type extractors before.

 

[juju93]

While we’re on the topic of Kirby, let’s just mentioned that the G series is now 30 years old.... hopefully they surprise us with something new this year. You know new decade new generation Kirby. Also the MS3 for the avalir is great in theory but it’s to bulky in length and width. Then again the same can be said about the other g series Kirby’s.

 

[lesinutah]

Video

If you go to YouTube Kirby has videos.
You basically vacuum the area with a Kirby as per instructions. You fill your tank. Install everything on the vacuum.
I could tell you spread foam on the floor go to begining follow same pattern vacuum up shampoo.
In a few hours or even next day when carpet is dry vacuum up any left over from shampooing.
It is not an extractor as it's only picks up into water waste bin.
I could say quite a bit but the videos give you best advice.
Les

 

[texaskirbyguy]

Make sure you only use the Kirby shampoo.
The key thing is making sure the foam/suds/carpet is completely dry before vacuuming.
The wet foam loosens dirt/oils from the carpet fibers and transfers it to the suds.
When it dries, the dirt stays in the dry foam, ready to be vacuumed up.
Yes, look at the videos and try one small room first for practice. Then proceed with others.
Once you get it down it will go pretty quick.

 

[tekjunkie28]

Yea, well.... umm. I have to say that I’m pretty blown away with how well the Kirby system works. It’s not perfect but it has brought my carpet back to like new. It’s more comfortable to walk on and looks more like it should when it’s new. I did mess up and use cold tap water instead of warm tap water which probably only limited some foam production. It does take longer to dry than I thought it would though. My carpet also smells good now which is amazing and the wife notices too. Maybe I won’t have to smell her scentsy crap anymore.

 

[bikerray]

I know Kirbyfans is located in Utah.

Goodvac is in Bridgeview Illinois. I know the owner and have been in the warehouse many times.

 

[gregvacs28]

If you're looking to get the shampoo attachments for a display/museum piece I could understand that.

It's not practical for use with all the technological advancements we have in carpet cleaners now.

A Bissel carpet cleaner, for example, that operates like an upright and is clean and dry in an hour is far superior to <span style="text-decoration: underline;">anything</span> that would do some shampoo treatment from the 1970s.

Besides, there is upwards of 900 kirby vacuums on Ebay last i looked.  That's a lot of people who are apparently trying to unload, some starting out at $15. I'm sure among all that you'll find attachments without having to spend much.


 


Here's a video where they compared several machines and the kirby was appalling.


But, hey, I understand wanting a display item.  I have my electroluxs that are cool to look at but very impractical.

 

[lesinutah]

Mention

I mentioned it because Les in Utah. I live in Utah and have been to there location.
That's the only reason I mentioned it.
I like rainvacs, evacuum, partswaarehouse.
Kirbyneeds aka Kent oyler lives in Riverside about 90 miles north of me. He's actually a friend I buy from most of the time.
I'm not greatvac spokesperson as I shop different locations.
I'm glad you like the shampooer. The avalir and avalir 2 shampooer are nice. Ki noticed you figured out how to use it. It's hard to explain but you got it.
The water tray is the main upgrade and makes it alot easier.
Les