I know a few of you have got steam cleaners and seem quite pleased with them :-)

My old lady has been a bit 'leaky' of late and I need to clean the carpet, so I wondered:

Which model do you have and would you recommend it?

Is it any good at cleaning carpets, if so is it really hard work to do it?

What else does it clean?

Thanks in advance

Paula

Hi Paula

A work colleague of my OH has a lot to do with old peoples homes and he has an industrial steam cleaner that we borrowed - it wasn't that great though and we could still see some wee stains on our carpet (unfortunately our elderly cat was a bit leaky too, and our Mal - female may I add - decided to mark her territory! where's the rolleyes when you need it!)

We looked at the Vax steam cleaner, the V124, it was on offer in Currys or Comet (cant remember which) a few months ago, and that looked really impressive, the chap in there gave us a demo and it looked great. Pity my OH is a stinge bag and insisted that we'd find a better deal on the net - I am still waiting for him to sort this out !!! But my friend has this one and would not hesitate to recommend it.

HTH

Alice :-)

I have bought the Vax 124 a couple of weeks ago and it is FANTASTIC!!!!!!!

In my living room I have a really thick cream carpet(mental I know!!) which one of the puppies had decided to wee all over. I hired a carpet cleaner a couple of times but even without puppies weeing on it it still gets marked so I wanted something I could do the carpet with regularly. I am so impressed!! It works as well as the industrial cleaner I hired. The amount of dirty water that comes off it and the colour isn't very nice though! Better off the carpet though hey!!

It has got all the stains off and is very easy to use.

That sounds pretty good :-)

Any more recommendations?

Paula

Hi Paula,

I have an Electolux steam cleaner and also a Bissel pro heat washer - TBH, I don't find steam cleaners effective for carpets that are soiled, stained etc.  IMO steam cleaners loosen dirt off but it is removed by something else so cloths, sponges, manual labour - OK, slightly OTT :-D  Their main job AFAIK is killing germs :)

They're great for cleaning everywhere in kitchens and bathrooms and excel in sanitising surfaces so ideal for furnishings, carpets skirting boards if living in fear of 'beastly outbreaks' plus matresses to kill of dust mites etc.  Apparently also have their use for steaming clothes to take out creases (sounds too much like ironing so I've never gone there :-D ) and remove odours of smoke etc.

Personally if I could only have one or other then with cream coloured carpets throughout much of the house I'd be sticking with my Bissell.  You could always buy a smaller scale steam cleaner for ease of storage (another downside to excess equipement LOL) and to have for germ/pest obliteration ....

HTH or perhaps just muddies the waters!
Teri :)

I have an Electolux steam cleaner and also a Bissel pro heat washer - TBH, I don't find steam cleaners effective for carpets that are soiled, stained etc.

Yes, same here. Have had several brands, now have the Vax. When my oldest dog started to become incontinent, we simply ripped out all the carpets (except the one in the bedroom) and replaced with lino. Now I steam clean the lino every Friday and it's never really dirty now, and certainly never smells. Added advantage is when wet dogs come in from a walk, or when I have a bitch in season (or just given birth) you just mop it up quickly! A million times better than yucky unhygienic carpets. :) The bedroom carpet I steam clean once a week and it NEVER gets clean. And there are NO animals in the bedroom except for my birds! The carpet has only been down a year, has never been peed on etc.

> A million times better than yucky unhygienic carpets.

Now, now Marianne - some of us manage to keep our homes far from yucky or unhygienic, regardless of floor coverings, furnishings etc   Just because I like my dogs with me 24/7 with access all areas doesn't mean I've converted my home into a kennel.

Wet and/or dirty dogs have tiled floors in the kitchen and utility areas on the rare occasions they're not cleaned up/dried before being brought inside :)

> The bedroom carpet I steam clean once a week and it NEVER gets clean. And there are NO animals in the bedroom except for my birds! The carpet has only been down a year, has never been peed on etc

Ever thought of washing your feet  :-D ;)

Now, now Marianne - some of us manage to keep our homes far from yucky or unhygienic, regardless of floor coverings, furnishings etc eek  Just because I like my dogs with me 24/7 with access all areas doesn't mean I've converted my home into a kennel.

I think carpets are unhygienic whether there are animals or not. :) Certainly in the UK where I have found people never seem to remove their shoes before entering a house -is this a cultural thing I wonder? I've NEVER had any visitors (except Swedish ones) remove their shoes in 20 years here, but in Sweden it's a given -you NEVER enter somebody's house (or your own) without taking your shoes off immediately inside the door. :) If you go to a party or similar you bring indoor shoes with you in a bag, and change shoes when arriving. I've always wondered why that isn't done here???

Ever thought of washing your feet  :-D ;-)

It's the UK's fault again!!! ;) ;) ;) NO thresholds on any doors, so hairs come in from underneath the door and that seems to be enough to make the bedroom carpet dirty.....

Certainly in the UK where I have found people never seem to remove their shoes before entering a house

Nobody is allowed in my house without taking their shoes off firrst unless they come in the backdoor into the tiled kitchen and then they are not allowed past the kitchen door without taking their shoes off!! Only exception is my Granny who would struggle to get her shoes on and off!!!

Some householders may be unhygienic regardless of having animals never mind what their floor coverings are - IMO so long as anyone keeps up with basic hygien for their family (with or without animals!) then whether they have the cheapest laminate, solid oak or plushest of axminsters and anything in between there needn't be a problem so beyond that it comes down to personal taste and preference :)

I know several folks who have lino/laminate/tiles throughout their living areas and they're happy with that whereas I find it to look cold and utilitarian and not at all how I'd like my home to look or feel to ourselves or visitors.  But of course each to their own.

As to cultural differences between here and Sweden I really can't comment - I wouldn't want my visitors to feel the need to remove the shoes coming into my house but several friends do this automatically and if it were wet etc outdoors I'd do the same on visiting :)  That's just basic good manners - hopefully a global thing :)

I have the original internal thresholds in my home - so I can only guess it depends on when houses were built :)

>but in Sweden it's a given -you NEVER enter somebody's house (or your own) without taking your shoes off immediately inside the door

I must never go to Sweden - because I will not go into a house if I have to remove my shoes! I was brought up to believe that going around without shoes is an extremely rude thing to do; doormats are for wiping your feet on before you enter.

> because I will not go into a house if I have to remove my shoes!

It's certainly not extending a very warm welcome to guests or friends is it LOL.   Happy here with a doormat too :)

I became quite used to removing my footware when visit friends homes in Sweden and Denmark.  It is I think more a practicality because of the bad winter weather.  It is not uncommon in Norway to wear heavy boots outdoors and carry lightweight shoes in a bag to change into.  It's just considered polite in the Scandinavian countries. :D

Clearly is a cultural thing then as yes, it would be seen as very rude in Sweden to NOT remove your shoes. After all, you will bring in dirt no matter what you do -doormats are of very little use. You bring indoor shoes to school as well. :)

It's certainly not extending a very warm welcome to guests or friends is it LOL.

Ah but it's the other way around! Guests that aren't even allowed to take their shoes off would be expected to be thrown out very quickly! (Think salesman made to wait on the doormat.) By allowing people to remove their shoes, you're also making it clear they're welcome to stay. :)

> By allowing people to remove their shoes, you're also making it clear they're welcome to stay

Not in the UK - maybe for certain tradesmen unable to enter through a back door for eg, but certainly not how I would wish to greet friends, family or visitors in general  :) 

It must be a cultural thing Teri -we'll all just agree to disagree I think? :) (And for what it is worth, I don't insist on visitors removing shoes here, because it's not the norm here and I'm in the UK  now, but I'm glad my floors wash easily. :) )

Now shall we start on my other pet subject -why do UK front doors open inwards instead of outwards?? Hubby and I ALWAYS argue about that one, LOL!!!!

> It must be a cultural thing Teri -we'll all just agree to disagree I think?

Oh I think we do agree Marianne - it is a cultural thing obviously.  I've never been to Sweden and I guess only regular visitors, one time residents or folks currently living in any countries will notice these types of differences :)

> why do UK front doors open inwards instead of outwards??

I've absolutely no idea - but it's clearly 'your lot' that are odd :-D   I know internal doors are hung and hinged so as to open away from the main interior of a room (on a privacy basis) but as to front doors I have no clue at all!

American doors do it too. Love seeing the scenes on american films were all the classroom doors swing onto the corridors and the children burst out!

> Now shall we start on my other pet subject -why do UK front doors open inwards instead of outwards?? Hubby and I ALWAYS argue about that one, LOL!!!!

Oh now that's an easy one.  When we lived in the North of Scotland one of my friends lived on an estate of Swedish model houses.  Depending on which way the wind was blowing, and it blows in the North East of Scotland , you either struggled to get the door open wide enough to slither in with your head still attached to your body or it wrenched your arm out of the socket as it flew wide.  We never risked visiting her in the winter months :-D

Marianne, I would love to rip the carpet out but Ellie (my old Golden who's leaking) gets very unsure on her feet on slippy surfaces, such as lino or wooden flooring and hates it.  I really want her last few years to be as stress free as possible.

I also want a carpet as clean as possible, so the upshot is that I need a really good carpet cleaner.  I've thought about hiring one, but on balance, I'd rather buy one as 4 dogs and 6 kids do tend to dirty the carpet whether they take off they're shoes or not (the kids not the dogs!).

It looks like it's between the Bissell and the Vax then - but which is better???  Any ideas??

I have both Paula - bissel at home and a vax (bought it on special offer) elsewhere.  I'd definitely say the Bissell every time as it cleans much deeper, rinses more thoroughly so no tackyness in carpets means less future dirt trapped, and leaves carpets notably drier too.

HTH,
regards, Teri

I would suggest going to somewhere like Currys and having a really good look at both the cleaners because I personally think it comes down to personal preferance. I have the vax but have also used the Bissell which is the equivilant model to the vax I have. I personally preferred the vax aqnd found it got the carpet much cleaner and left it drier but like somebody else has said they found the same with the Bissell over the vax! I think it will come down to personal choice probably!!

I get you Paula. :) If I were you though, I'd not buy a STEAM cleaner but a n actual carpet shampooer then -again Vax. :) Definitely gets carpets cleaner.

Woo hoo - I've just ordered the Vax V124 and some of the cleaner for houses with pets.

It's coming on monday yay!!

Will let you know how we get on.  Have got to take a sample of Ellie's wee in to the vets to make sure it's not an infections, so once she's on the right meds we can get on with cleaning the carpet!

Hope you're as impressed with it as I am!! Just a word of warning, the man in Currys told us that the guarantee that Vax give you is void if you have used any detergent in it that isn't a Vax detergent. Apparently they can tell!! But my free 10 year guarantee came the other day so that is another bonus!!

I ask people to remove their shoes before they come in,they oblige, the only ones who dont are some workmen ( not all,as some do remove) who put on shoe covers or bring brand new clean carpet covers for major work, i have just bought a vax carpet washer as my youngest doggie has the odd accident, its great!

[quote]Paula  Date 11.09.08 17:17 GMT Woo hoo - I've just ordered the Vax V124 and some of the cleaner for houses with pets. [quote]

How much did your pet cleaner cost?

Glad you're sorted Paula :)  Methinks you're gonna be tied up a bit come Monday then LOL.  Hope Ellie's vet visit goes well!

best wishes,
Teri

I ask people to remove their shoes before they come in,they oblige, the only ones who dont are some workmen ( not all,as some do remove) who put on shoe covers or bring brand new clean carpet covers for major work, i have just bought a vax carpet washer as my youngest doggie has the odd accident, its great

Glad I'm not the only one!! Workmen that have been here have always either put sheets down or put shoe covers on.

I got it for £219.99 including delivery :-)

That is a bargain!!!!

This has started an interesting debate :-)

I have always taken my shoes off when going in to my own house and anyone elses...I cringe when people don't take their shoes off going in to other peoples houses but thats just me, I'm quite fussy though as our carpets are light coloured. I have a house that I rent out and my stair carpet there is cream (bad choice I know) - I worry whenever I go round to inspect as my tenant has a little boy who doesn't take his shoes off!

Given the choice I would have all wood floor downstairs or tiles, its much more practical with dogs than carpet - I'm working on the OH at the moment ;-)

Paula you've definitely landed a bargain with your Vax! Could I be nosey and ask where you ordered it from?? PM me if you want!

>Given the choice I would have all wood floor downstairs or tiles, its much more practical with dogs than carpet

Bear in mind that when your dog/s get elderly you'll probably have to put down mats and carpet-squares etc to stop them slipping and injuring themselves ... as I've had to do in our tiled kitchen - it was the only place in the house that my old girl couldn't stand up in since she was taken ill a week ago. Luckily we have carpet everywhere else and she can grip and balance.

>> Bear in mind that when your dog/s get elderly you'll probably have to put down mats and carpet-squares etc to stop them slipping and injuring themselves ..

not all hard floors are slippy though.  I have tiles in the hall and cloakroom and they are very matt like a textured slate effect and definitely not slippy at all.  i have karndean in the kitchen and living room and again it is not slippy.  It is quite matt and is textured and doesn't even get slippy when wet. 

Personally I find carpets unhygenic and am glad the majority have moved on from having carpets in bathrooms.  My parents had that when I was growing up and I find it revolting.  the combination of wet feet on carpet, urine spillages and anything that can't be hosed down gives me the heave in a bathroom. yuck!  I do have carpets up the stairs but only to cut down on the noise and because I didn't have the money to put karndean throughout the house!

In the far east, it is considered the height of rudeness to keep one's outer shoes on when entering a house ....and I was really tickled when the nurse and health visitor equivalents in Tokyo each took little slippers out of their bags and put them on every time they came into my daughter's home when Ella was a baby.    A little seat in the foyer/hallway was provided so that everyone took off their shoes as they came in.

In the apartment block they lived in when they were in Hong Kong, you could tell what family lived in each apartment from the number of shoes outside the front doors - from Jimmie Choos to tiny trainers and big brogues!

Good point JG, in our 'dog room' we have a quarry tiled floor, and we have a big mat down as our Samoyed girl has slight arthritis and sometimes struggles to get up, our Mal is also quite unsteady on her back legs due to her condition. The mat really helps them. We have carpet everywhere downstairs apart from the kitchen, dog room and extension, but the girls are ok in the kitchen as the floor is original floorboards and they don't slip on it. So I suppose I am grateful for my carpet in one way even if I do seem to be constantly hoovering or picking up twigs and bits off it! :-)

I got it from a site via Kelkoo, it was just the cheapest on there.  It was called kitchen village.  Can't wait for it to arrive on Monday!!

I've only got carpet in one lounge and the hall downstairs and in the bedrooms upstairs.  Ellie just won't go in any rooms where there is no carpet because she's very unsteady on her feet because she has arthritis and is afraid of slipping, my poor girl.

Paula

I can see that if you put on a pair of slippers it wouldn't be so bad. Walking around in socks is not far removed from walking around in your underwear (socks and pants are always close together in shops)!

I wonder - before the fashion for laminate floors and removing shoes, there were never so many adverts for verruca-creams ... does going around without shoes spread the virus (and athletes foot) more easily?

I can see (and appreciate!) how laminate and lino and tiled floors are more hygenic but I do like the warmth and feel of carpet when I get out of bed with bare feet, especially in the winter :-)