Have you ever used your steam cleaner on the carpets?

[Kiwibird]

I’m asking here because a lot of bird owners also own steam cleaners- have any of you used your steam cleaners to clean carpet? Not like a rug but the actual carpeting on the floor? We don’t wear our shoes indoors and I vacuum regularly so it’s not terribly gross but it was here when we bought the place and hasn’t been cleaned for over 3 years (since before we moved in) and I know what was under the carpeting in the living room when we replaced it last year I want to clean the carpet in what will be the baby’s room (so only 100 or so sq ft) but definitely don’t want a cleaning service to do it with chemicals, don’t want to rent a machine at the store that has been used with chemicals either and don’t really want to buy a full size carpet cleaning machine (I have a little spot bot but there is no way I’m using that on an entire room lol).

I was thinking maybe if I used the carpet rake and vacuumed really well first, what do you think of steaming the carpet? Anyone ever tried this before? I see some instructions online on how to do it but just wondering if anyone has actually tried it? I have a really nice canister steamer with a big floor attachment I can clip a clean rag over. Ideas? :33:

 

[dhraiden]

Hey Kiwi, yes I have. I used Stanley Steamers about a month before the house got robbed late last November. The detectives said they'd never seen such clean looking carpets, LOL.


IIRC since it was just steam they were absolutely fine, I didn't even remove them to a separate room upstairs. AFA as DIY...I am sure you could rent a machine but I think it was worth what I paid (~200'ish) for two rooms' worth of steaming, plus carpeted stairs and the hallway upstairs, and the bathroom floor to boot. If I need to again (and it won't be for a while b/c the carpets still look VERY clean, even like ten months later) I'd just go with the commercial service that was probably far more thorough than anything I could've managed on my own.

 

[Kiwibird]

Re: Have you ever used your steam cleaner on the carpets

Hey Kiwi, yes I have. I used Stanley Steamers about a month before the house got robbed late last November. The detectives said they'd never seen such clean looking carpets, LOL.


IIRC since it was just steam they were absolutely fine, I didn't even remove them to a separate room upstairs. AFA as DIY...I am sure you could rent a machine but I think it was worth what I paid (~200'ish) for two rooms' worth of steaming, plus carpeted stairs and the hallway upstairs, and the bathroom floor to boot. If I need to again (and it won't be for a while b/c the carpets still look VERY clean, even like ten months later) I'd just go with the commercial service that was probably far more thorough than anything I could've managed on my own.

I was more wondering about the canister steamer I already own and use to clean Kiwi’s cage and the bathroom/kitchen. It produces steam but has no suction. Supposedly you can use them on carpets too and it gets any dirt off the surface and kills dust mites and mold. I was more wondering about people’s experience using those on carpet We are pretty tight on money because we’re expecting a baby so really not wanting to pay anything. If I were to shell out a couple hundred bucks, I’d just buy a carpet cleaner I could use over and over but I don’t really feel the carpet is dirty enough to warrant that. I carpet rake and vacuum constantly plus we don’t wear shoes inside or have any dogs or cats. I just don’t want to ruin the carpet trying to get it a little extra clean

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

Sorry April I just saw this thread.. My old house had wall-to-wall carpets that were rather old and needed cleaning periodically. I have a Hoover steam cleaner/agitator/vacuum type cleaner I used a few times and got some sort of "pet safe" soap solution ( Sorry can't remember the name) and had no issues whatsoever.


Jim

 

[Laurasea]

I use the steam cleaner vacuum thing I got at Walmart for 100 bucks, with the cleaner stuff by Bristol (?) No problems. But I only have carpet in bedrooms not the main part where the birds are, and open windows just cuz I'm paranoid!! But with four dogs a girl's gotta clean

 

[AmyMyBlueFront]

I use the steam cleaner vacuum thing I got at Walmart for 100 bucks, with the cleaner stuff by Bristol (?) No problems. But I only have carpet in bedrooms not the main part where the birds are, and open windows just cuz I'm paranoid!! But with four dogs a girl's gotta clean

All my rooms ('cept kitchen and bath) had wall-to-wall..and Smokes and Amy regularly walked them.


Jim

 

[Kiwibird]

I’m just going to give the steamer a try first after I’m totally done with all the baby “projects”. I’ll post my “results” here for future reference. I’m not into buying a $100+ vacuum sized carpet cleaner and finding somewhere to store it if I don’t have to. My husband asked what the worst thing that could happen was- the steamer didn’t work and I’d have to go out and buy a carpet cleaner anyways.

 

[Kiwibird]

I use the steam cleaner vacuum thing I got at Walmart for 100 bucks, with the cleaner stuff by Bristol (?) No problems. But I only have carpet in bedrooms not the main part where the birds are, and open windows just cuz I'm paranoid!! But with four dogs a girl's gotta clean

All my rooms ('cept kitchen and bath) had wall-to-wall..and Smokes and Amy regularly walked them.


Jim

I have no issue with Kiwi walking on carpet, but he doesn’t like walking on the floor. If you put him on the floor he scuttles around like he’s walking on hot lava and will climb the first thing he can find that is above ground level. Does Amy mind the floor?

 

[GaleriaGila]

Oooooh, I have a funny story!
20+ years ago, the Rb and I were renting a house with carpet everywhere. I used a steamer (with no cleaning solution) in a cage area which he shared with a few canaries, and results were initially very satisfying. About a week later, I felt something funny under my bare feet and upon very close inspection, saw a thick, almost downy layer of millet seedlings! The landlord agreed to let me remove the carpet (revealing old wooden floors) since I did all the labor.
Millet Carpet. Quite rustic, and actually very pretty! But just not practical.

 

[Kiwibird]

Oooooh, I have a funny story!
20+ years ago, the Rb and I were renting a house with carpet everywhere. I used a steamer (with no cleaning solution) in a cage area which he shared with a few canaries, and results were initially very satisfying. About a week later, I felt something funny under my bare feet and upon very close inspection, saw a thick, almost downy layer of millet seedlings! The landlord agreed to let me remove the carpet (revealing old wooden floors) since I did all the labor.
Millet Carpet. Quite rustic, and actually very pretty! But just not practical.

OMG! That is too funny. Miller carpet. It must not have dried all the way.

The carpet I’m looking to clean is well away from the beast feeding zone. I’ll also run our dehumidifier in the room overnight or as long as needed to dry it out afterwards.

 

[SailBoat]

According to Mrs. Boats, it is very important to use an extraction devise after using a steam cleaner on carpet as the steam is driven deep into the carpet and the combination of removing the dirt and the water (steam) is the goal of all the work.

In a small out of the way spot, try your steamer and use a 'Wet/Vac' to extract the water (steam). With hope, the 'Wet/Vac' will pull out the water!

NOTE: Carpet is much thicker than a rug, plus most have a pad under them. Getting is dry is important.

 

[ParrotGenie]

I use steamer to clean cage area and floor every so often. I use a BISSELL - PowerFresh Slim Steam Mop for floor as well, pick this model as it converts from a traditional steam mop to both an extended reach and a portable handheld steamer. Just make sure you use distilled water to keep boiler in good shape and from corroding. As far as carpet use a rug doctor X3 with a dehumidifier to dry it up.

 

[Kiwibird]

I use steamer to clean cage area and floor every so often. I use a BISSELL - PowerFresh Slim Steam Mop for floor as well, pick this model as it converts from a traditional steam mop to both an extended reach and a portable handheld steamer. Just make sure you use distilled water to keep boiler in good shape and from corroding. As far as carpet use a rug doctor X3 with a dehumidifier to dry it up.

Ya, I’ve had my steamer for quite a few years and I learned the hard way to only use distilled water as I ruined the first one I had in very short order using tap water Mine is designed like a canister vacuum but is essentially an upgraded steam mop. Same concept, no suction-just steam, but has a larger capacity, multiple attachments, long hose etc... Works very well on Kiwis cage and in the kitchen and bathroom. It has some kind of big carpet attachment and pads I’ve never used.

 

[WakaWaka]

We use a hoover wet / dry carpet cleaner.
No chemicals, just hot water.
It's very important to get all the moisture out as quickly as possible.

We used it a long time ago when we had PJ and didn't fully dry the carpet.
We also would up with see sprouts. It was funny but we got it all cleaned up.

Now we keep Arika out of the room, and run fan with a dehumidifier for most of the day to ensure that the carpet is fully dried.