I ran out of carpet cleaning solution, and I used liquid laundry detergent in my machine instead. I used less than a quarter of what I would have put in with a load of laundry. It worked beautifully, and was a lot less expensive.
I've used rug doctor, but what a pain. This time, on my incredibly filthy carpet, in a very large bowl I mixed a solution of ammonia and water. I took a towel and a scrub brush and got down on my hands and knees. The spots came up beautifully. I used the towel to wipe and restore the nap. I don't know about restoring the acid pH, after using the base ammonia. I would take the previous post's recommendations if I were cleaning my persian carpets, but this worked for my standard-issue beige carpet. Now, another thing is that many stains will resurface because the stains are in the mat underneath the carpet; this is where something like a rug doctor would come in handy, or a steam cleaner. However, i am 100% satisfied with my results, and it went very quickly, I didn't have to rent a machine with all the bother that entails.
Hum! A lil feedback on using detergents. #1. Make sure your carpet warranty is long and gone. othertwise you just voided it #2. I would not use any detergents on carpet. I am sure it looks good after you clean it. Chances are within a week it starts getting dirty again. Reason is you did not neutralize the detergent in your carpet. Detergents attract dirt. #3. Islandsage has a good formula,because vinegar cleans and kills odors. I use commercial cleaning products that have vinegar in them. They cost an arm and a leg. But it is my business. I clean and restore floors for a living. #4. Remember back in school when you were taught PH. You have 0-14 on a ph scale with 7 in the middle. 7 is neutral(water). You want your carpet fibers to be neutral after cleaning #5. Here is the formula for making your carpet baby-butt soft and clean, using rug doctor,hoover,bissell etc. Always and I mean always test in an inconspicuous spot. I do on all jobs. Go to walmart or preferrably a janitorial supply store. You can pickup some inexpensive carpet cleaning chemicals. Get the product " Carpet Prespray" This is the most important product because it has the chemicals to clean your carpet. And it is your alkaline. Spray this product using a sprayer of some kind. allow 5-10 minutes to dwell without drying. Also purchase "Carpet rinse". This is your acid to neutralize the alkaline prespray in your carpet. Acid rinse goes in your solution tank. Follow directions on labels After you clean a section reach down and fill the carpet. If it doesn't fill sticky you have done a great job. Hope this helps
I use Wisk. it smells wonderful and cleans so good without all the suds. Most times when I spray the stains and let sit while cleaning other areas, the spots will be gone when I get back to them.
Use White Distilled Vinegar. 1 part vinegar, 3 parts warm water and one drop (only one) of dishwashing detergent, and it works like magic, plus it deters pet odors and smoke odors. It works and it is so inexpensive.
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Request: Cleaning Solution for Carpet Cleaner
Archived on 06/05/2009
What solution is best to use in a carpet cleaner? I have never found any that work well.
Tina from Orange County, California
Feedback:
RE: Cleaning Solution for Carpet Cleaner
I myself have used regular water diluted dish soap because it takes out grease and smells good, that along with oxy clean works great! (03/16/2009)
I just use 1-2 cups of white vinegar and hot water. It makes it a lot easier because you don't have to go back over it continuously and the vinegar smell goes away when the carpet dries. (03/19/2009)
I use ERA laundry detergent and have gotten very good results. But as always do a test spot to make sure it works. I have berber carpet in the living room and dining room and it works fine in both. (03/19/2009)
