topic Re: Anyone Ever Rent A Carpet Steamer?? in Home

Anyone Ever Rent A Carpet Steamer??

amyb — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 13:12:45 GMT

Just wondering if they are "idiot proof" and easy to use?? Effective?

I have 20 year old burber carpeting that is getting replaced within this year, but I'm just wanting to clean it. It may seem like a waste by now, that's why I thought of renting a cleaner at my local hardware store. I used to get it professionally steam cleaned when it was new, about every other year...it came nice. But haven't done it for a while now.

Was about to get new flooring when Covid hit. Now I have to start over shopping and prices have soared, deliveries are poor etc. So if this takes a while I just feel I may want to clean this carpet one more time.

So any feedback on home rental steam cleaners, I'd appreciate. Tks.

Re: Anyone Ever Rent A Carpet Steamer??

ScrapHappy — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 13:20:26 GMT

Years ago I rented a carpet cleaning machine from my local grocery store. That thing was heavy and not so easy for me to use. It was a one and done for me. Never did that again. Found a very reasonable carpet cleaner guy after that who did a much better job than I did.

Re: Anyone Ever Rent A Carpet Steamer??

amyb — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 13:29:19 GMT

@ScrapHappy wrote:
Years ago I rented a carpet cleaning machine from my local grocery store. That thing was heavy and not so easy for me to use. It was a one and done for me. Never did that again. Found a very reasonable carpet cleaner guy after that who did a much better job than I did.

I know! My old guy used to do the whole bottom floor for about $200.00. But...last time I did it was about 10 yrs ago, ashamed to say. Probably a lot more now. I should just get a price.

I'm not usually "Miss Do-It-Yourself"...so I have a feeling I'll feel like you..and I'm only 5'2"...up 20 stairs to this 2nd floor condo too...lol...I think I just talked myself out of this! Haha.

Re: Anyone Ever Rent A Carpet Steamer??

millieshops — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 13:35:41 GMT

@amyb I would save my time and effort and go shopping.

In July, I replaced the floors in my whole condo - like you, I had first shopped just before everything closed down last year. This year, when I tried again, I found a flooring I liked better than my previous choice and the price had not risen as much as I feared it might. The company sourced everything they needed, had their own team to install, and finished the job even sooner than either the saleswoman or I expected.

Re: Anyone Ever Rent A Carpet Steamer??

ScrapHappy — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 13:36:13 GMT

@amyb wrote:
@ScrapHappy wrote:
Years ago I rented a carpet cleaning machine from my local grocery store. That thing was heavy and not so easy for me to use. It was a one and done for me. Never did that again. Found a very reasonable carpet cleaner guy after that who did a much better job than I did.
I know! My old guy used to do the whole bottom floor for about $200.00. But...last time I did it was about 10 yrs ago, ashamed to say. Probably a lot more now. I should just get a price.

I'm not usually "Miss Do-It-Yourself"...so I have a feeling I'll feel like you..and I'm only 5'2"...up 20 stairs to this 2nd floor condo too...lol...I think I just talked myself out of this! Haha.

My guy charged $70. Yes, $70. I had a 1500 square foot ranch and half the house was carpet (hallway and 3 bedrooms) and half was hardwood flooring. I know live in a much larger home. When I first moved into this house, I looked into carpet cleaning for the 2nd floor (bedrooms and bathrooms). It's approximately 800 sqaure feet, maybe a little more. $300. And that's with a coupon.

Re: Anyone Ever Rent A Carpet Steamer??

amyb — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 13:49:59 GMT

@millieshops Wel,l that's encouraging to know! May I ask what area you are in?

In CT, everything is up so much and new construction is having a boom.

Another job I just had priced, which my neighbor did I think right before shutdown, by the same company, exact same unit (split heating system), quote came in about $1500 more. Needless to say I'm getting another quote.

But I hope floors do go better than what I'm expecting. Did you do wood?

I'm still wanting wood but lots of people are recommending vinyl...I'm being told by my contracter that even the million dollar homes he's doing are putting it in. I'm still resisting...but said I'd look at it when I go flooring shopping..

Re: Anyone Ever Rent A Carpet Steamer??

itsmagic — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 15:45:55 GMT

I used to rent carpet steamers but they are so heavy and after being rented by so many people not in the best of shape. I would rather hire someone now.

Regarding installing vinyl, I put luxury vinyl plank in my dining room and kitchen. It looks just like wood (and has fooled many) and I really like it but I don’t think I would use it in my whole house. It can dent from heavy furniture and nick if you accidentally drop something with a sharp edge.

Re: Anyone Ever Rent A Carpet Steamer??

Snowpuppy — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 14:09:20 GMT

I am Ms. DIY and have rented them in the past but no longer do. Now, I'll use a professional service with truck mounted equipment so all they bring into your home is the nozzle and hose.

Rental equipment is heavy and not always very clean.

You can also get your own scrubber. Ebay has a 15% off coupon on mfg refurbished thru the weekend.

Keep in mind you have to get your furniture out of the way and into another room, porch or patio.

Re: Anyone Ever Rent A Carpet Steamer??

AnnieBelle — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 14:17:56 GMT

I rented the Rug Doctor machine once from the grocery store. It's a square looking unit. It is unbelievably heavy and I can't imagine how you would be able to get it up 20 steps on your own to the second floor. My arms were sore for a week after using it to clean three rooms of carpeting. That said, it did an amazing job cleaning the carpet. It pulled up stains that were years old and my home unit had missed - cleaned them and they were gone!

Re: Anyone Ever Rent A Carpet Steamer??

wagirl — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 14:19:49 GMT

Yes--it was awful and expensive and hard to handle---will never rent again--will have a professional come do the work.

Re: Anyone Ever Rent A Carpet Steamer??

millieshops — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 14:41:44 GMT

@amyb I installed luxury (whatever that means) vinyl tile. I am in Palm Beach County where prices are also crazy. Even in my modest development, prices are up over 35% on average in the last year.

My unit is on the ground floor -- almost everyone doing improvements now is using the vinyl tile. I love hardwood but it's really not a good idea here.

I used a south Florida company from start to finish. I do buy some things from national chains, but not jobs that require much more than deliveries.

Re: Anyone Ever Rent A Carpet Steamer??

amyb — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 14:55:32 GMT

@millieshops Thanks for that feedback on vinyl.

I may sell in a few years or so...I wonder about resell value. I'll have to do a little research on that, ask my cousin who's a realtor..

But I keep hearing they've come a long way. And now that I might be selling not too long from now....there is only so much I want to invest in elaborate updates...just the needed ones. Though...I think the vinyl, because of it's good quality these days may be up there in price also.

I've obviously got more research to do, but appreciated your feedback.

And everyone else too...you've convinced me...I'm not going to rent a machine. If I decide to clean it, if the deliveries or timeframe for new floors is that long, I'll check for local professionals!

Re: Anyone Ever Rent A Carpet Steamer??

bonnie f — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 15:14:41 GMT

i rented one 2 yrs ago for my apt. from a local grocery store that rents them out... i knew nothing about them, and they gave no instructions. I asked them how do i use it what if i have questions? they told me there's a number on the machine you can call... yeah right, i dont want to call and get someone who i cant understand... so i went to you tube and looked it up.. they told me everything on there.. and so easy to understand.. i need to rent a machine again. i told myself every yr i will rent one.. im a year overdue lol... but it fit in my back seat and wasnt too heavy.. and it has wheels so i just wheeled it into the store when i returned it.. and they even said online that you dont have to buy their expensive cleaner.. you can use oxyclean etc,,, i consider myself stupid when it comes to this kind of stuff. but it was easy.. and wow carpets turned out nice... i did mine twice.. letting it dry for a day in between,, suprising how dirty your carpets can be.. and it wasnt expensive at all.... i rented mine for 3 days

Re: Anyone Ever Rent A Carpet Steamer??

Skyegirl21 — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 15:32:52 GMT

I have rented the Rug Doctor machine a long time ago. It wasn't too bad, easy directions and it did get the schmutz out! I recently moved into a home with a couple of bedrooms of carpet and bought a small Bissell carpet cleaning unit from hsn for about $100. Not too pricey and it works well. As others have said, If I were you, I would shop and not bother-

Re: Anyone Ever Rent A Carpet Steamer??

millieshops — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 18:06:14 GMT

@amyb Do talk with busy local realtors because they should know what is selling in your area in your prIce range.

I did work real estate part time on Long Island, but that was too long ago and too distant from Ct to be relevant. Besides, everywhere I have ever lived, home prices (and therefore sensible remodeling) can vary thousands and thousands of dollars in different parts of a town. Average prices for tthe whole community often are misleading.

I am happy with my choice and grateful that I am because I do not want to live through a whole house remodel ever again! Good luck on your project.

Re: Anyone Ever Rent A Carpet Steamer??

chrystaltree — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 21:08:14 GMT

Yes. Years ago. Hubby used it but as I recall, it was easy to use. Now we have the guys in the yellow van do our carpets twice a year. Between visits we use the carpet shampoo machine I got from HSN.

Re: Anyone Ever Rent A Carpet Steamer??

AnjalenaQVC — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 12:29:39 GMT

This post has been removed by QVC because it contains a link.

Re: Anyone Ever Rent A Carpet Steamer??

ECBG — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 21:22:38 GMT

We rinted a steam cleaner at the grocery store as another poster said.

I found I liked Chem Dry much better. They weren't expensive, cleaned my light colored carpet, and dryed much more quickly.