Recommend me a carpet/upholstery cleaner please...

[imported_Ivan Rajic]

I figured instead of searching I`d ask for exactly what I`m looking for... that and it`s 1am and I`m not in the mood for searching to be honest



I`m looking for something to allow me to do some carpet/upholstery cleaning when the paint restoration slows down in the winter months. I don`t need any commercial grade stuff, just a good steam cleaner or something that enables me to clean cloth efficiently.



I`m fairly experienced in everything interior-wise except carpets/upholstery, on which I only do spot cleaning, and even that`s rare.



I was thinking about one of those steam cleaners in the $150-250 range mentioned around the forums, Bissel, etc. but have no clue where to start looking or what I`ll need along with the cleaner.



Any help is greatly appreciated.



Thanks.

[vtec92civic]

Ivan, that is a good question and i hope someone chimes in with some info. A good steamer would be great to find in that price range and i know it can be done. I would be interested to know the answer as well.

[todd@bsaw]

Lol, Ivan doesn`t know how to clean carpet!



Just messing with ya. The steamer I use is one of the spendy industrial ones (EuroSteam) and it works wonders. There was another for sale that seemed similar in quality that a lot on here were getting that was more in the $700 range. I believe the only major difference was the quality of the hose. I plan on looking into one of those when my EuroSteam craps out on me.



My wife has one of those Shark steamers that she uses around the house, but the couple times I`ve used it I`ve always felt it was far less of a machine than my detail steamer. It may be good enough for some (most) but I may just be spoiled from my machine and would never use it in a commercial detail setting.



I have debated about picking up a Bissel LGM for my mobile business just because there are some situations where an extractor is a better machine than the steamer. Maybe it would be a good idea for you to get the Bissel LGM extractor for your interiors and upgrading to a better commercial steamer if you find you are doing more interiors more frequently. Also, I highly recommend getting the carpet brushes for either PC or Cyclo to really zip through carpets if you don`t have one already.



If business really picks up for you, let me know and I`ll see if I can convince my wife to move down there so I can help you out. Not likely, but I can always dream.

[imported_Ivan Rajic]

Todd I am man enough to admit my weaknesses haha. In my ~4 years doing detailing I have probably cleaned about 2 square feet of carpet, and the whole 2 sq. ft. were done with Tuff Stuff cleaner, terry towels and a vacuum! Treated a few spots here and there and that`s it.



However, now I`m getting more and more inquiries about interior carpet shampooing/cleaning and I will be first to admit, I have no clue where to start. I know steam cleaners are good for getting stuff loose/clean but would I need an extractor, or is that just for heavy/tough work?



I`m thinking this might be a good learning tool, in addition to getting some of the work done for now... Little Green® ProHeat



EDIT: Oh and you`re more than welcome down here any time. Business has been steady and new clients coming monthly but I`m still at around 6-8 full details/month. Considering I work an office job Mon-Fri 8-5 and spend $50/year advertising (biz cards and some flyers, most of which are sitting in my bedroom) I`m right where I want to be.



Maybe you should come down and make me go full time. My only concern then is that we`ll make too much money that we must then spend on our women. We would however make Chicago the most efficient city when it comes to gas consumption, what with all the perfectly aerodynamic, polished cars.

[todd@bsaw]

Ivan, that`s the exact same unit I`m looking to pick up and I believe I have seen it for sale at Kohl`s before. My wife even offered to pick it up for me next time she gets one of those 30% off coupons in the mail. We`ll see how long that takes, because usually I`ll toss those Kohl`s ads in the trash before she sees them to prevent any subsequent spending sprees.



I do very well with my steamer and only on a handful of occasions have I wished I still had my Mytee with me. The real tough spots and soaked stains are the ones where an extractor is more useful. I have still made due with my steamer, but it took multiple attempts. As far as general cleaning, there really isn`t anything that can beat the steamer. I have effectively cut my interior time for a typical interior detail in half.



We should really organize a shop day down in your neck of the woods. I`ll consider it a mini vacation (I miss Chicago) and we can exchange some tips and tricks. I`ll bring my steamer, you bring the beer.

[imported_Ivan Rajic]

I guess I`m going to pull the trigger on that Pro Heat and see how it goes.



I`m a Jack & Coke type of guy but enjoy a Heineken or Dos Equis here and there. Depends on how heavy a detail job is I guess haha

[imported_DetailDan]

An extractor is the way to go. You`d be surprised at what just using plain water can do. I have the Mytee 8070.

[imported_Ivan Rajic]

An extractor is the way to go. You`d be surprised at what just using plain water can do. I have the Mytee 8070.

I don`t doubt it one bit, but for me that`s too much of an unnecessary expense at the moment. If the interiors REALLY pick up I`ll look into more commercial-type setups.

[vtec92civic]

Bissell Little Green machine is not a bad machine for the price. I have however gone through a couple of them but not recently. When i first had one about 4 years ago i had a little trouble with them leaking from the bottom of the machine but out of the 3 or so i have had they functioned rather well and are able to lift stuff out of the carpet that you would probably never be able to get out with just a towel.



Not sure the proheat one is really worth it though as it doesn`t heat the water a ton but that is a choice you will have to make. I never personally had the heated one. I just used hot water if it was available to me on my mobile job site.

[todd@bsaw]

I`m a Jack & Coke type of guy

Me too!



I`d be curious as to what the guys that have used a real extractor (Cobra, Mytee, etc.) would say about the Bissels. The great thing about a proper hot water extractor is both the water heater, capacity, and lift power. My old Mytee had a 6-gal capacity, a 3-stage motor that could pick up a bowling ball, and would heat to over 200 degrees. When extracting with the Mytee, you could complete the entire vehicle without having to empty it and refill the reservoir. I`d image with the Bissel you would have to constantly be emptying/refilling if doing an entire vehicle.

[Dan]

If you decide on the Bissel, get the auto version, it has a crevice tool that can get into tighter spots.

[imported_Ivan Rajic]

I ordered the heated one from here... Bissell 14257 Homecare Little Green Proheat Floor Care | Overstock.com



What exactly is the difference between heated and non-heated? How is it better/worse?

[Street5927]

I agree with the extractor portion of things. It is nice to have something with hot water. I have the Mytee HP60 and love it. The best part about it is it`s dual purpose. You can get the upright floor wand and do household carpets if things slow down that much. I have used it plenty of times in my house for spills and just regular yearly cleaning of the carpets. I even landed a job cleaning a dentists carpet once without even looking for the job. I went in for a cleaning and got to talking, and next thing I know, I am booking a carpet cleaning for him....totally out of the realm of auto detailing, but it wasn`t too difficult, very low overhead since I used his water and electricity (all I had to do was use my extractor soap and pre-treater), and the rest was labor (aka, profit). I know it is a big expense, but in the long run, IMO you will be happier and it will open up some new opportunities.

[imported_Ivan Rajic]

^^ I will definitely pick up something like the Mytee 8070 if the interiors pick up but for now I just want to get my feet wet and clean my M3s carpets.

[ADetailedFinish]

what about vapor steam cleaners. I too am in the market to buy something. I want to get a steam cleaner for using on interior panels and not just carpets. (sorry if it sounds like I`m trying to thread jack, just tryin to get more info from the other guys)