What Carpet/Rug Shampooer and/or Extractor Do You Use?

[ronni]

I recently posted a thread dedicated to Electrolux dry-foam carpet shampooers -- namely the Model B-8s but also the newer models since they are very similar.

So, I thought I'd start another thread to survey what machines others use for shampooing or extracting domestic carpets and rugs, how often you use them on average, and how effective they are. Please include larger machines such as the Electrolux Model B-8 or Kirby Rug Renovator, mid-sized machines such as a Hoover Scrub 'n' Vac, or Electrolux Rug Washer, and hand-held units such as the Bissell Spotlifter or Lux Little Pro.

 

[marks_here]

I don't know if I can post that here since it's a new machine not vintage

 

[ronni]

Good call, but post it in the Contemporary section then.

 

[super-sweeper]

my rugs are always clean,

With my Classic 1-CR's Rug-Renovator! I have short, plush carpets, and the Rug-Renovator has no trouble making them gleam! Lowest setting on the Toe-Touch and a tank  of properly diluted Kirby shampoo and I'm good to go! I tend to only use the Rug-Renovator when the carpet is in need it a good shampooing!

 

[Gr8DaneDad]

I use the Electrolux Floor Pro, Kirby D50 Rug Renovator, Kirby Sentria II Shampooer and a Bissell Pet extractor. I use the extractor when there is a wet mess or spill and the dry foam the rest of the time. Living with 5 Great Danes I clean the carpets (at least the traffic areas) monthly and sometimes more often if it's wet outside. The dogs day room gets done every week.

 

[sptyks]

Kirby Shampoo system.

I use my Kirby Sentria's shampoo system on my medium pile plush wall to wall carpet with excellent results every time.

 

[compactc9guy]

Electeolux floor pro shampooer

I use my electrolux floor pro shampooer its brand new
works wonders on my floor going to do my carpets
soon .

 

[ronni]

Thanks for all the replies. So far, I'm impressed with the dry-foam method, too.

Regarding polishing does Aerus still make a floor wax? If so, would you recommend it? What other floor care products have used with your scrubber/polisher that produced good results?

Tom - I've been thinking about the floor scrubbing procedure and wonder if a mop rinse with clean water after pick-up would be necessary to minimize soap residue?

So, the procedure would be:

1) Vacuum

2) Scrub

3) Mop pick-up scrub water

4) Mop rinse with clean water

5) Vacuum

6) Wax/Polish

7) Vacuum?

 

[ultralux88]

I use a 1976 Thermax built Rinse'N'Vac with a newer 60psi pump. I use the Riccar shampoo and spot cleaners and it works great.

 

[kevin]

I use a teal-colored Model B-8 for scrubbing, buffing, and shampooing; a Model 1739 Epic Series (doesn't say "Floor Pro" anywhere on the machine--only in the manual ... weird) for nap lifting, and a Rug Washer (teal cover and base that went with the teal Model 1205s) for rugs and mats.

My Rug Washer manual states to treat stains with a damp cloth dipped in the Turbo shampoo solution, but the Model 1739 (later model) doesn't; instead it infers that one should go over an stained area twice with the machine. So, does it work on most stains, or would you suggest that I get a product specifically for treating stains? I'm trying to be proactive! The 1739's manual does mention an Electrolux Carpet Medic Kit and warns that carpet fibers may be damaged from additional scrubbing of coffee and dye stains.

 

[pr-21]

I use an...

Electrolux Floor Pro with Turbo Shampoo and Naplifters after shampooing. Once in a while I use the Kirby Shampooer although I find it a bit awkward to use, especially in small spaces....Both do a very good job......


PR-21

 

[Gr8DaneDad]

Aerus does still make both a wood floor wax and a tile floor polish. Both are quite good products. 


 


You've got the sequence right, the only one not necessary is the last. As long as you don't use too much wax/polish you should be done at that point.

 

[jaker15]

I personally use

a Hoover SteamVac with Cleansurge. It's the classic extractor style with SpinScrub brushes. Cleans like nothing else. Scrubs the hell out of the carpet, and because it has so much suction, the carpet dries in 30 minutes. I'd say it's got as much suction as some of my vacuums! Bissell ProHeat extractors don't come anywhere close!

 

[tolivac]

Kirby Sentria-or Host dry cleaner.Both work well.

 

[blackheart]

.

Depends on the job really

For any spot cleaning i use a hoover steamvac JR
For larger areas i start off using an electrolux with a mixture of soap and water to pre scrub the area, lately i've been using lindhaus's Extract'aire cleaner, followed by a scrub and rinse with a hoover steamvac

Eventually i'd like to replace the lux and hoover with one of the newer bissell big green proffessionals

 

[ronni]

Thanks for confirming the scrubbing process, Tom. The reason I put #7 was because sometimes polishing with a rotary machine will leave behind some dust. Interestingly, another thread about a vacuum polisher was posted in which was stated that the vacuum and polisher work simultaneously for that very reason. I suppose machines with higher rpms as well as certain kinds of buffing pads would increase the need for vacuuming after polishing.

In reading through the Model LX manual, another method of shampooing (prior to the Model B-8/Carpet Beautifier's introduction in 1965) was using the Electrolux sprayer to spray carpets and rugs with Nuvo Shampoo. The manual mentioned that detailed instructions would come with the shampoo, so I'm uncertain if the air-powered floor scrubber & polisher at that time would have had a carpet/rug brush or not.

Regarding the Turbo Rug Washer, as the new plastic ones were called that replaced the metal Turbotool with Rug Washer attachment, I thought it premiered in 1962. However, both my 1960 Model G manual and my 1960 Model R manual picture the newer plastic version. I suppose that could be another case (as is the case with the tan Model G's 1964 copyrighted manual which should have been 1966) of not changing the copyright on what were actually 1962 updated manuals. Anyway, those manuals do not picture the use of the Electrolux sprayer with Nuvo Shampoo--only the use of the Rug Washer. The Model B-8 at that time was only used as a scrubber/polisher--it was not convertible to a shampooer.

 

[rugsucker]

shampooing

The Turbo tool floor polisher would not have had a carpet brush until the small rug washer attachment was available with the AF.
Any B-8 after the T handle could be converted to shampoo be using a service dept template to drill hole and change bottom plate.Then 2 tabs mounted to handle as seen on a recent polisher thread to mount tank.

 

[ronni]

Then how do you suppose the carpets were cleaned with Nuvo Shampoo, Jimmy? I took for granted that Nuvo was not a dry-foam product but perhaps it was and was just allowed to dry before vacuuming. It doesn't seem like it would be that effective, though, without some type of method to help it bond with the dirt. The other possibility is that the same scrubbing and polishing brush on the air-powered unit was used on the carpets.

 

[ronni]

Tom,

In reading a B-8 manual I discovered no. 6 of the floor refinishing procedure (in reply #7) would be "polish", followed by no. 7 with "buff" and the as necessary no. 8 of a final "vacuum".

I mention it mainly to clarify for others, because I'm sure you know the procedure like the back of your hand.

I'm thinking it would be a good idea for Aerus to post online videos--either on its website, on Youtube, or both--of how to use and care for its machines as another form of reference besides the manuals. What do you think about that?