What kind of Steam Cleaner do you guys have?

[DaniMarie]

I know this isn't a "Yorkie Product"....but I've been devoted to the urine recipe remover thread and can't wait to try it.

We currently have a Hoover steam cleaner (about 1-2 years old) and although it says it is a "steam cleaner", there is no self-heating unit...and from what I've researched extensively over the past several weeks, most Bissell's that do have a self-heating unit have REALLY bad reviews.


So the question is, WHERE is the steam?!! Does anyone have a steam cleaner that actually produces steam while shampooing the carpet?

I've used our Hoover multiple times with multiple expensive pet cleaners and the pee smell ALWAYS comes back. Always.

I don't want to make a huge purchase and then realize the smell is still here, you know? We have one little Yorkie and our entire condo smells like pee. (I've also read horror stories with trying to return cleaners due to the fact that they don't live up to what they claim with little to no success and only more money spent)


So what kind of "steam cleaners" do you guys have? What would you recommend? If you could give me the exact model so I can research it, that would be sooooo helpful!!!!

Thanks a bunch!!!

[Maximo]

I have a Hoover Dual V "Steam" vac. It does not produce steam, but it cleans my carpets very well. The only smell I had difficulty removing was some acidic vomit from my little guy.

Have you tried Woolite Oxy Pet cleaner in your Hoover? There is a Woolite companion product for pre-treatment of spots that I have not tried.

I have found that it helps to move the machine very slowly and to go over problem areas two or three times, sucking up the dirty water in between.

Use the hottest water you can get from your tap.

[Ladymom]

I have a Bissell ProHeat that I love. I also have a Spot Bot.

Carpet cleaners only clean the carpet, though, not the pad underneath. The urine soaks into the pad which is why the pee smell remains.

I always use Natures Miracle on urine spots first. You might want to invest in a "Stinkfinder", a little blacklight that will help you find the old stains.

[DaniMarie]

That's the model Hoover I currently own.


I was looking into the Bissel Proheat but amazon has such bad reviews for it.


Thanks so much ladies!! I need all the help I can get here.

I went to Sears, Best Buy and the Home Depot and asked their "experts" (ie, people wanting to sell you stuff ) their honest opinions and they gave rave reviews for everything.

Needless to say....I was a bit uneasy.

[Melcakes]

Albertsons, Kroger, Tom Thumb, Wal-mart, Walgreens, Home Depot, Lowes etc all carry the Rug Doctor that you can rent. I haven’t found a good one to buy either, but I do rent the Rug Doctor to give my carpets a good cleaning. Steam comes out of the Rug Doctor. Rent the larger one because the extra 2 inches and larger tank make a difference in the long run. Spend the extra 3 bucks and get the tool attachment and do your car while you have it rented too!

I can't tell a difference from when I do it myself or when I outsource it to the Professionals.

After doing your whole house, you may be sore for a day or so, but you will get good results. The "High Traffic Pre Cleaner" will take care of the tracks from the dogs

I’ll.never buying another one that looks like a vacuum cleaner....they don't work compared to the Rug Doctor.

The ones at Walgreens and grocery stores tend to be cleaner than the big box stores too. The price is the same everywhere, except maybe $1 dollar cheaper at Wal-mart.

[Rhetts_mama]

I have a Bissel Pro-heat that I really like, despite the bad reviews.

The problem with all of the personal cleaners though is that they don't get enough of the cleaning solution down in to the pad, that's where the smell stays. Once your pad is shot, no amount of cleaning will help. They are good for small areas and spills, but not for a true "deep down" clean.

Have you had a company like Stanley Steamer come out and do a really good cleaning? They have a treatment for pet stains that works well (but it isn't cheap.) After they come through, you could then use your regular carpet cleaner with something like Nature's Miracle to help keep up the maintenance.

We also have a company in Atlanta called Kiwi that charges for your initial visit, then for a year after that, you can call them out as often as you want for $4 per room. I had them out once a month the last time we were housebreaking a puppy!

[DaniMarie]

Originally Posted by Rhetts_mama

I have a Bissel Pro-heat that I really like, despite the bad reviews.

The problem with all of the personal cleaners though is that they don't get enough of the cleaning solution down in to the pad, that's where the smell stays. Once your pad is shot, no amount of cleaning will help. They are good for small areas and spills, but not for a true "deep down" clean.

Have you had a company like Stanley Steamer come out and do a really good cleaning? They have a treatment for pet stains that works well (but it isn't cheap.) After they come through, you could then use your regular carpet cleaner with something like Nature's Miracle to help keep up the maintenance.

We also have a company in Atlanta called Kiwi that charges for your initial visit, then for a year after that, you can call them out as often as you want for $4 per room. I had them out once a month the last time we were housebreaking a puppy!

I haven't even thought of looking into Stanley Steamer.

The thing is, we have Berber carpeting wall to wall, which is pretty gosh darn thick and the other carpet that the dog has peed on is a Persian I have in the dining room. I don't think the pee could have gotten that far down into the padding to cause TOO much damage. I'm not sure though! The fact that I've drenched the carpet and padding multiple times with enzyme cleaners and the smell still comes back certainly says something.

Unfortunately, we rent so I can't exactly replace the carpeting or the padding. I'm going to try everything possible myself but definitely look into professional cleaners. Who knows! In this economy, maybe we can get some good deals.