I have some water damage, and I cleaned under the carpet (pulled back from the wall) but I also want to clean the carpet. I have Resolve, but I really don't like it that much, and it doesn't smell good, and I don't think it works that well. Does anyone have a favorite product for cleaning the carpet, one that would work for regular carpet and on area rugs? I have pets, so something that will also work for urine. Eew! :) Also do you use a sponge, towel, or what? Thank you!
For water damage, I'd get a professional. You may have mold issues.
For regular cleaning, I like our Bissel Pro Heat with pet shampoo, sometimes pre-treated with vinegar solution or Natures' Miracle for pet messes.
Best ~100 bucks I think I ever spent was on a carpet cleaner for the house. It's a Hoover or Bissel (whichever one is less popular) and I use a combo of oxi clean and 1/4 -1/2 cup of white vinegar in the whole tank with HOT HOT water. My carpets stayed cleaner longer, and got cleaner faster. The smells were gone and only freshness was left (once it dried - before it dries it has a slight vinegar smell).
You have to be careful - if you leave the vinegar too strong it'll eat away at your hoses and rubber pieces.
So... my suggestion would be to rent or buy a carpet cleaner (or hire a professional). The key, I think - especially with pet stains - is you need to get it OUT of the carpet and the only way I think that really happens is with the *extraction* that the machines have.
For water damage and pet stains I would hire a professional carpet cleaner. I had old dogs that lost control in their later years and nothing worked as well as the professionals. I personally like the companies who use the very hot water and detergent. The empowered water system didn't work on our pet stains. I've never tried the dry cleaners. Water temperature is important and varies with the type of your carpet. Maybe ask around for recommendations in your area. FYI, I also own my own steam cleaner for touch up jobs and that doesn't work as well as the professionals either. The water doesn't get hot enough and the suction isn't as good.
I normally would use Resolve with Triple Oxi clean and it would do its job. I eventually got tired of cleaning the carpet and or changing the carpet due to stains or my dogs having small accidents, I decided to change to hardwood floors.
Resolve leaves a lot of residue behind and bacteria. At first glance it looks clean, but I worry about mold and what you will be breathing. Many people do not think about it, as how to clean up water damage or clean their carpets professionally to have it residue free. I once had a water damage that was not properly cleaned and I ended up with mold and a musty smell over time, and got sick. I was referred to Ted Sutherland at Sutherland Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning. His number is ###-###-####, he did a "FANTASTIC JOB." He works in L.A. and O.C counties. He did a very detailed job and used natural, organic products. He told me how many people try to do it themselves and the situation then gets worst, which it did with me. I had to detoxify myself and my kids, since we all got very sick. I refer many people to him, and they all LOVE and RAVE about this work.
I hope this information helps.
A.
We have pets and use folex for stains, natures miracle for pet accident removal. We do rent a carpet cleaner every so often though, thinking about buying one so we can do it more for accidents.
Folex and an old dishrag or towel.
I would just go for the carpet cleaning service if there are a lot of stains, I think it's worth it to do every year or so.
