We were going to replace our carpet with laminate for when we get our pup, but now we have decided to replace the carpet after the pup is through house training and chewing. So now I am looking for a carpet cleaner, not too bothered about price but as cheap as poss for a good one. Anyone got any recomendations? The thing I will need it for most is (kids) paint (only in one spot) and any messes from the dog. Thanks :D

As you are going to replace the carpet soon, why don't you hire one?  They are usually more powerful than the ones you can buy too.

We did think about that, but we will only be replacing the carpet downstairs, so up stairs will still need doing. We may still just hire one, but would like peoples views on them anyway :D

It isn't too expensive to get somebody to do it professionally. Try Chem Dry or a similar firm. The cleaners they use are far better than ones you can buy. My brother used to have a Chem Dry franchise - the tales I heard about carpets that people had tried to clean themselves !. The most important thing is that their machines dry the carpet much more than a 'home' one can. When you use a Vax type the carpet looks clean but less water is removed, then, because the cleaning agent isn't rinsed out properly the carpet becomes slightly sticky so when you walk on it dirt gets trapped quicker. I had a friend who said her Vax was fantastic and that she used it "all the time". Well, that's why, the carpet got dirty really quickly because it was never dried properly.
They should also have insurance cover if there are any problems.

i have a bissell pro heat ( not exactly cheap :-) ) and love mine. i find that after going over with the cleaning solution if you go over again with just clean water ( you just turn a knob on it to do that ) it removes all the residue from the cleaning solution. i have never found my carpets to be sticky afterwards and unless the kids or dog run throu with wet muddy feet/paws mine stay clean for quite along while. :-)

The " RUGDOCTOR" from Homebase or Safeway etc is suberb. Cleans them like new. YOu can hire them for 4 hours if you like .