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Post by luci on Mar 16, 2009 16:43:56 GMT -5
I think I remember reading that somewhere on here? We're going to rent a steam cleaner this week and the ferrets' main living quarters needs some extra freshening, but I obviously won't be using any chemical cleaners. What have you guys done?
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Post by Forum Administrator on Mar 17, 2009 14:28:50 GMT -5
I don't use nature's miracle because it says "DO NOT DILUTE!" on the bottle and it doesn't specify that it can be used in carpet cleaners. I'm sure you probably can use it, but since I was renting the machine I didnt want to mess it up. I DID use Simple Solution because it had directions for use in a carpet cleaning machine. You add the Simple Solution *in addition* to your carpet shampoo. I did my carpets last month and it worked great. I pre-treated all the stains with nature's miracle.  The simple solution works great, although it smells like sunscreen lol. I feel like I'm at the beach (which I guess isn't a bad thing lol!  ) |
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Post by luci on Mar 21, 2009 18:00:12 GMT -5
Well, life got in the way and we didn't get around to doing it this week. We have a machine reserved for Monday.
After doing a bunch of research, I've decided to use plain white vinegar in the machine. Professional carpet cleaners repeatedly stated that the biggest problem with people cleaning their own carpets is shampoo residue which effectively attracts dirt. But vinegar will rinse cleanly away. So I'm going to try that and I'll let you know how it goes.
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Post by Forum Administrator on Mar 21, 2009 23:36:01 GMT -5
Please do post and let me know how it goes, if it works well for you, I think I will try that next time I clean the carpet (which I do monthly) |
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Post by sherrylynne on Mar 22, 2009 9:44:54 GMT -5
I just bought a Nature's Miracle carpet shampoo! Haven't had a chance to try it yet. I'll let you know how it goes. Just as soon as I get my shampooer fixed. Again!
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Post by cristina on Mar 22, 2009 16:27:45 GMT -5
I use vinegar and baking soda and/or an organic, all natural carpet cleaning solution....or sometimes I just add in castile soap and water.
One thing with vinegar (which I havent experienced, and at times I do use it too on my carpet) is that I was told it can sometimes stain certain carpets. I havent had an issue but I was warned, but then again I didnt really care about ruining my carpet as its old as it is and needs to be replaced. So just to be safe I would color test a spot before you do it.
Plus I have noticed when it dries it smells like vinegar....if this bothers you I usually wait for it to dry then sprinkle some baking soda over the carpet (sometimes I scrub it in) then let it sit and vaccum it up a couple hours later, and this is how I get rid of the vinegar smell that may linger.
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Post by luci on Mar 23, 2009 0:59:36 GMT -5
I'll be curious to hear about the Nature's Miracle carpet shampoo. I didn't like their laundry detergent at all. Too perfume-y.
I regularly use 50/50 vinegar and water for spot cleaning the carpets and I've never had an issue. The carpet in the ferrets' main room I couldn't care less about anyway. That's getting ripped up before too long (I hope).
How much vinegar should I add to the resevoir each time I refill?
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Post by Forum Administrator on Mar 23, 2009 1:04:39 GMT -5
How much vinegar should I add to the resevoir each time I refill? I think that would depend on how many gallons the resevoir is. |
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Post by luci on Mar 23, 2009 1:09:12 GMT -5
How much vinegar should I add to the resevoir each time I refill? I think that would depend on how many gallons the resevoir is. Right. I guess I should have said that. I was thinking one cup per gallon. Does that seem right? |
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Post by Forum Administrator on Mar 23, 2009 1:41:54 GMT -5
That kind of sounds like alot to me, but then again I've never cleaned carpets with vinegar. I usually add 1 cup of carpet cleaner to my 3 gallon resivor when I clean carpets.
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Post by luci on Mar 23, 2009 1:48:05 GMT -5
I shall do more research.
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Post by luci on Mar 23, 2009 2:43:48 GMT -5
Okay. One site said one cup vinegar to 2.5 gallons of water and another said EQUAL parts of vinegar and water.
I think I'll do one cup per gallon and see how crazy the smell is. I can always adjust.
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Post by spiritualtramp on Mar 23, 2009 10:51:14 GMT -5
I wanted to add in that I've been using Nature's Miracle in my Bissel Little Green which is a spot steamer. It works GREAT!!
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Post by luci on Mar 26, 2009 3:29:21 GMT -5
Okay! The vinegar worked great! I added about 20 oz of vinegar to each tank which was a little over two gallons. I really didn't notice the vinegar smell at all, which surprised me. We did the ferrets' main living quarters twice, the second time after about 7 hours of dry time. We actually boiled water on the stove and put it in the machine for the second go 'round and I swear the water was even dirtier than the first time! Of course now I want to do it again and again until the water runs clear, but I think I'll have to wait a while before the SO is willing to do all that work again.
All in all we ended up going through two gallons of white vinegar. We cleaned approximately 1000 sq ft of carpet plus a couple of area rugs and a couch, loveseat and chair. Thank goodness the rest of the house is hardwood!
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