what can I use for carpet cleaning

[mata hari]

Hi! I have a very dirty stair carpet. It has no underlay or foam back. It has been glued down. My question is, is there some miracle household thing I could use to clean it? Would washing powder do the job? Or is there something else you experts can suggest?

[Whickerman]

try borrowing a vax - they're quite good, and I guarantee someone you know has one

[rhona_j]

I've borrowed two different types of carpet cleaner in the past, and with each my husband has ended up on his hands and knees scrubbing the carpet. If you can borrow one though they do help to pick up the excess water.

[WendyS]

Cleaning stair carpet is difficult with any kind of machine. I'd be inclined to wait for a nice dry day when you can leave your front door & upstairs windows open. Vacuum the carpet thoroughly first and then use a thick car-cleaning type of sponge and some liquid 1001 carpet cleaner. Dilute according to instructions on the bottle, using only the foam only whisked in warm water to rub into the carpet, as too much moisture could loosen the glue which attaches it to the actual stairs and make the carpet dangerous.

Plan your day first so that everything you need from upstairs is downstairs, get a good draught of air passing over it, and pick a day when traffic up and down the stairs will be kept to a minimum while it dries.

[mimififi]

I have a hoover carpet cleaner and it is one of my best things ever. I wash my carpets with persil bio and then rinse them in fresh water. When I do the stairs carpet, I actually take the carpet of the stairs, wash it all flat and then hang it on the line to dry. Then I refit it.

However, I have also used the nozzle attachment to clean the stairs. I scrub them by hand with a brush and the same persil bio and then suck up the excess water.

I use washing powder as you are not supposed to use foaming cleaners with carpet cleaners. All the cleaning agents that are meant for carpet cleaners that I have tried all foam somewhat and so I don't use them. I also think they don't clean as well as persil does.

You can also hire carpet cleaners. However, although expensive, if you can afford one, I recommend having one. I clean all my carpets regularly as my son has quite a serious allergy to dust mites. Also, I have 5 children and the carpets are nearly white in colour!!!! (what was I thinking?????)

Anyway, hope this helps you.

love
mimi

[mata hari]

Thanks for all your various answers. I have a steam cleaner but it is useless, and cant afford to buy a new gadget. Anyway, I will definately try the warm windy day and the Persil bio option.

Thanks again,

Sushi