Is it worth it to buy a steam cleaner for the carpet?
Steam cleaning the carpet is not my favorite thing in the world. I’ve rented the little Rug Doctor type machines before, and while they work great, shampooing the carpets is a lot of work. Did I mention a LOT of work? So sadly, we almost never do it.
One alternative would be to have someone else clean the carpets. I just don’t feel comfortable doing that though. The one time I did (many many years ago because it was required for a sale) the company basically used bait and switch tactics. So that’s not something I want to deal with again.
Now I’m wondering if it might be worth it to buy a steam cleaner for the carpet. Would we really save money by doing that? In theory, having it available in the house might make me more likely to steam the carpet. It looks like they start at about $100, so it would take just over 2 cleanings for it to pay for itself. But realistically, would it just sit in the closet instead?
Do you have a steam cleaner? What has your experience with it been like?
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September 21st, 2008 at 6:02 am
We’ve usually rented a machine and did it ourselves.
September 21st, 2008 at 6:41 am
Joint purchase with friends, colleagues and/or neighbours? As long as at least one of you has storage space and others can mend it if it goes wrong…!
September 21st, 2008 at 6:44 am
I purchased a machine from Kohl’s when they had a great buy and then I got an extra 30% off. One of the best purchases I have made. Now any accidental spills are cleaned up instantly. Along with the mud tracked in by the kids. I would highly recommend purchasing a cleaner wif you have a very active household. Thank you also for your website. I read it daily.
September 21st, 2008 at 7:20 am
Problem solved – don’t clean the carpet!
September 21st, 2008 at 9:38 am
Hehe Chris, we’ve used that method a lot!
September 21st, 2008 at 10:16 am
A carpet cleaner is handy. Pet mess on the carpet (ours and others), a spill here and there, the regular cleaning of high traffic areas, and the occasional mud from guests makes having one a convenience.
I bought one new and one at a garage sale. They are easy to use, and they don’t require hiking off to a rental location. They aren’t as effective as a commercial type cleaner, but they work just fine for light to moderate duty.
These are often available at garage sales, and they are simple enough to work on. (Just unplug them first.) The main problem I have had is a sticky valve that won’t allow water to spray. That is fixed with a spacer that allows the actuator to more fully depress the spring loaded valve.
Clair
September 21st, 2008 at 6:21 pm
We purchased one about two years ago and it has been well worth it. We have 2 dogs and a baby so we use ours. Not as often as we like, but it does get used. It came in very handy earlier this year when one of our dogs got sick in the middle of the night. At 2:00 in the morning we were cleaning the steps, hallway and our bedroom carpet with it. You would never be able to rent a cleaner at that hour of the morning. That was the night that I decided it was worth every penny we spent on it.
September 22nd, 2008 at 9:37 am
We’ve owned two now, and LOVE them. We used to make a point of cleaning every 2-3 months, but with a new puppy now (and in a new house with new carpet), we pull it out every 1-2 weeks. Especially in the high incidence spots of puppy pee. I agree with Holly…definitely worth every penny. Just don’t loan them out to friends- hence #2 carpet cleaner :(
September 22nd, 2008 at 4:14 pm
With kids and/or pets, a carpet cleaner is a must unless you can train your kids/pets better than I can.
September 23rd, 2008 at 9:33 am
We did the same thing as Lynda – we share one amongst several friends. It’s cheaper and builds a little community with the neighbors.
September 23rd, 2008 at 4:54 pm
Ok, you guys have convinced me. I’ll look at buying a (hopefully used) steam cleaner the next time I convince myself that I can’t put off the cleaning any longer :)