Home carpet steam cleaner

Do any of you have one of those home carpet steam cleaner thingies? One of those units that is shaped like an upright vacuum but also steam cleans the floors?

I almost bought one online but then discovered that many of the cheaper "steam" cleaners don't really make their own steam but rather rely on you to put the water in hot enough for it to steam out the spots. Does that get the job done?

I'm looking to get something that'd work on "pet stains" as well as for the dirt ground into the rugs after using the nature's miracle and stepping in it while the rug is still wet. Anyone have recommendations/thoughts?

Bissell! I love my Bissell.

I have this one:
http://www.bissell.com/Products/p/quicksteamer/product.aspx

It doesn't produce its own steam but damn it works petty well.

This is the next one I'll buy:

http://www.bissell.com/Products/c/uprightdeepcleaner/p/ph2xpet/product.aspx

This one does actually heat the water for you.

Also, I found out that you should use about half the cleaner recommended otherwise it'll leave your carpets kind of sticky (sticky attracts more dirt!) and I always follow a shampooing with a plain hot water rinse. I sometimes put Oxy in with the shampoo, too. Every now and then, I add a bit of bleach. But then again, I'm kind of a clean freak and Sweet Tea calls me Bleachy.

"I'm kind of a clean freak" - Ana

....If Ana recommends a cleaning product I would buy it.

I'm just sayin'

I know clean. I even got Flexi to buy Clorox Clean ups. I'm working on getting her to get a Swiffer Wet-Jet.

PS - do NOT buy the Hoover F5505 SteamVac Spot Carpet Cleaner. It is small, cute, compact, perfect for NYC apartments but it leaks, it falls apart after one use. Piece of shit.

I had the Shark steam cleaner thing, but the steam part stopped functioning. ...so it was simply a heavy hand held vacuum, so I pitched it.

Hehe, I remembered Ana mentioning a steamer in a previous thread, but I didn't want to call her out or anything.

That Bissell looks great and is in my (broke) price range. Does it work on bare floors, too?

And thanks for the use tips, too. I'm far from being a clean freak but I like the idea of throwing in a bit of OxyClean from time to time...I remember when I first discovered that stuff, was like infomercial magic!

never let Ana get away with anything.....

I don't have any hardwood floors (which sucks but it is what it is), but I *think* you can use it on that as well. I'd be more inclined to use the more expensive one on HW, though as it probably has better suction.

There's a specific pet stain remover on the market that you can use alone or put it in a shampoo/steamer. I have to remember the name of it but the scent was really nice. If I find it, I'll let you know.

The appliance store on 7th Ave (near 12th St), Brooks Appliances I think, has lots of vacuums and they are really helpful for all the things I've been in for and seem to know their stuff. You could probably get advice and try some different ones there.

this thread is full of win:

win #1: taking bleachy's advice about cleaning equipment

win #2: brooke's vacuum store, where the salesmen are knowledgeable, friendly, beautiful twins.

I wonder if Brooke's will clean my vacuum? It works fine, but it's dirty inside and I can't reach up in there to clean it!!

There was a discussions elsewhere of how they do good repair work, so it's worth a shot to call and ask.

That's what I'm thinking. Since they're certified Dyson repair guys I'm wondering if they can take it apart and clean the holy hell out of it.

that's m'girl. i knew you'd find some excuse to go visit beautiful men who know almost as much about vacuums as you do.

Anastasia Beaverhausen wrote: I wonder if Brooke's will clean my vacuum? It works fine, but it's dirty inside and I can't reach up in there to clean it!!

They can do a maintenance on your Dyson for I believe $60 or $70, I had called them just last week about this. i am pretty sure this means taking it apart, cleaning it up, etc.. Bring it to them, it can't hurt the vacuum, plus, they are cute guys, you can flirt with them while there.