Carpet Cleaner - Which One?

Click_It on 11/01/2016 - 20:45
Last edited 11/01/2016 - 20:48

I'm short term renting and have an inspection coming up, and expect maybe 2 or 3 more before we purchase again. With young kids in the house carpet is trashed in no time - as a home owner I always owned floor board and tiled homes, I really didn't think how bad carpet can be with a young family! :)

So anyway, instead of paying the pros to come out each time and wasting money I thought I could put some of that budget into a decent cleaner myself. Will solve a lot of hassle in the short term and if I buy a quality one it'll be handy in years to come too.

So I could stretch up to maybe $600-700, that said maybe that is completely overkill for my needs and happy to spend less if I can. It's essentially spot cleaning, little spills here and there. Happy to go a little overkill though considering I'm thinking long term value.

Thanks in advance!

EDIT: I should also add, both my wife and I have back injuries and I also have knee problems (damn you age!), so unless there is an amazing portably mini unit, I am probably more interested in a taller upright one, or at least with a wand.

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Comments

  • 2jzzzz on 11/01/2016 - 21:02
    +1

    Just let it get trashed and do a good clean when you move. You only have to leave it how it was when you moved in. If carpet is indeed wrecked, hage to fork over for new carpet.

    Did you take pictures when you moved in? Noted it on the move in report?

    • Click_It on 11/01/2016 - 22:10

      Not wrecked, well in parts it is but as you mentioned - I took photos of all those issues and also noted it on the report, furthermore I've met the LL on a few occasions (some repair issues which he promptly addressed) and spoke to him about the carpet, he's well aware of the worn areas.

      No I'm just talking about the yoghurt, milk, OJ spills here there and everywhere (apparently normal for a 3yo I'm told… )

      I have inspection #1 in 10 days time so I thought it could be a good idea to buy one of these to take care of the little stains here and there, and also be available for more complete jobs when I buy a new home. I will certainly be getting floorboards again next time, but carpet in bedrooms is my preference. All in all, nothing too heavy duty should ever be needed both for my immediate situation and future needs, so I think my $600-700 may be over what I really need to spend.

  • [Deactivated] on 11/01/2016 - 21:22

    It's hard on your back with hire versions. I did my carpets myself and my back was out for a week afterwards.

    Also, you still need to spot clean. Before my inspections I normally have to do about 50-100 spots using spray and scrubbing. I hate blutack!

    • Click_It on 11/01/2016 - 22:12

      Yeah I used one of those once years ago, helping out a friend getting their rental all cleaned up. Sheesh, I think I was out of action for a few days too.

      Blutack… my daughter doesn't have that yet, instead I have to deal with Playdoh. Probably just as bad :)

  • trex on 11/01/2016 - 22:23
    +1

    I bought one of this after reading very goods reviews for it. I have nothing but praises for it. Masters has a 10% making it quite attractive.

    • Click_It on 11/01/2016 - 22:43

      Cool thanks, will look into that tomorrow. I've heard good things about Bissell in the past.

  • battler on 11/01/2016 - 22:34

    Maybe hire will be a better move
    http://www.bunnings.com.au/for-hire-britex-carpet-cleaner-24…
    $39, just don't over wet the carpet, and maybe also do it when there's a couple of really hot days forecast.

    Edit.. Just saw your comments re back issues.

    • Click_It on 11/01/2016 - 22:41

      Thanks for the comment, that seems pretty cheap and maybe is the smart move for now. Can always take turns doing the cleaning to avoid too much back pain. Get some carpet product, still way cheaper than the pros and ample for our needs. Hmm food for thought.

  • PVA on 11/01/2016 - 22:47

    look in the local paper for a cheapy carpet cleaner company and get them to do, it will be around the same as you doing it yourself anyway.

  • Cheeper on 11/01/2016 - 22:54

    We have a Bissel Powerheat shampooer. One of the best purchases we ever made. It does a great job if used properly, better than your average shonky carpet cleaning guy.
    Get one with a built in heater.. the warmer water assists in faster drying.
    Only use the Bissel shampoo.
    Don't rush it, it is a slower process than vacuuming but you will like the result.
    It dries fast.. 30min - 1hr to walk on again.
    It is a pain to clean all the gunk out after each refill but not that bad.
    Get one with the lounge & car upholstery cleaner built in.
    We paid about $400 for ours from HN, not sure what they cost now?

    • Click_It on 12/01/2016 - 12:27
      +1

      I had a quick look and couldn't find the model but it's probably just changed name slightly so I'll keep looking.

      As a kid my father owned something that sounds similar, though it was older and clunky. I used to help clean the carpet and remember the slower the better, less pass-overs etc.

      I didn't mention in the OP about lounge/car upholstery accessories but that would definiately be something I'm interested in.

    • Click_It on 12/01/2016 - 13:48

      Did you mean ProHeat (not PowerHeat) ?

      Does this Bissell ProHeat Carpet Shampooer look anything like yours? It's $298 at Joyce Mayne.

      Bissell seem to have more models in their line up than Samsung has phones.

      • Click_It on 12/01/2016 - 18:06

        This is one I've found. Someone above mentioned a 10% off and I have a trade card which I think gives me another 5% although I haven't been to a Masters for almost 2 years so I could be mistaken.

        Bissell Powerwash Deluxe Vacuum for $403 or $383 after discounts which is a price I'm happy with. It also comes with some attachments (upholstery, hard floor, stairs and others) which are extras $ on other models. I'll have to see it in person. Haven't been able to find reviews on this model but Bissell's website says its a new product so that explains why. Older similar looking models on Amazon do get overall positive reviews.

        Probably wont get out to Masters until the weekend. Any further feedback from anyone in the meantime is always welcomed. But that model looks pretty good I think.

        • Cheeper on 13/01/2016 - 00:02

          Sorry about the late reply..
          Yes, mine is the same as the one you linked to at Joyce Mayne.. "Pro Heat"
          In the pic you can see the head of the upholstery cleaner up at the top of the handle, it is bright orange/pink?
          The upholstery cleaner has a spray button then it removes the moisture.
          Looks like they are a lot cheaper these days!!
          The machine does leave the carpet a lot dryer than any other carpet cleaning method I have ever seen or used also.

        • Click_It on 13/01/2016 - 15:47
          +1

          @xywolap:

          Thanks for your reply.

          I'll probably get either your model for $298 or the Masters one, especially if I can get it for $383.

          I've read a lot of reviews on similar Bissell's from Amazon, the complaints are generally minor things and the praise is generally quite strong. So thanks for helping me narrow it down! The bonus is I'll also be able to clean the car seats which was not originally in my mind.

        • Cheeper on 14/01/2016 - 02:12

          @Click_It:
          Agree… always read between the lines with product reviews.
          Whilst it is a good machine and does give a good result it is all in how you use it and understand it is not a top of the line professional carpet cleaner.
          Go the $298 one.. it will do all you need. :-)

        • Click_It on 14/01/2016 - 11:43
          +1

          @xywolap:

          Will do, cheers :)

  • Davo1111 on 12/01/2016 - 00:43

    Our lease stipulated an approved carpet cleaning company. So your plan may not work in future homes

    • babecake on 12/01/2016 - 09:48

      Steam cleaning is one of those clauses that is really not enforceable. All that is required is that you leave the carpets in a reasonably clean state compared to how they were when you first started the lease. I've been rented 4 properties, all with that clause and never have I once paid for steam cleaning.

      FYI, I have a Bissell Powerclean™ Pet. Washed the carpets when I moved into my rental current property AFTER it had been steamed cleaned by professionals twice (first one arranged by the tenant and second by the property manager as the carpets were still dirty)and the water was black. So my Bissell did a better job than the professionals. Downfall of this machine is that it has a tiny water reserve so you have to fill it up and empty it often.

    • Click_It on 12/01/2016 - 12:21

      It's unlikely that I will ever be renting again so that's not a worry, I'm just renting now temporarily after an interstate relocation.

      I will check my lease paperwork, see if there is an approved company. But maybe I'm best to just do as other have done and buy a cheapy Bissell and spot clean and be done with it. The carpet is old and really needs to be ripped up but I can easily get it back to the state it was when we moved in just be spot cleaning.

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