I used one of those machines to clean a rug and it's left it all streaky. I want to start again when it's dry and not using the machine..so can anyone tell me what carpet cleaner to use or has any tips or suggestions. Any help appreciated. How do you clean your rugs/carpets?
sometimes you have to make multiple passes with the machine. If you rent another, make sure to clean it out before starting. Most people don't clean them when they return them. It's best to get a pro to do it, like Stanly
If it left streaks you should have gone over the carpet again with the machine. They are more effective and your hands. If you use the machine again boil your water so it is super hot and then go over the floor again.
I have used a product called CAPTURE for the last 5 years and it is the best thing I have tried yet, it even got charcoal out of my white rug. I buy it from either Sears or Home Depot. A guy I used to know who sold oriental rugs told me about it. They use it to clean expensive rugs that get marks on them in the stores.
If your have the extractor you can still clean fairly good. I used to clean proffesionaly with a bonnet cleaner and extracter. If you don't have a bonnet cleaner then just spot treat the areas which are soiled the most. You can also take some laundry detergent and add a little to bucket of water. Add just enough till water feels slippery. Then go around and scrubb soiled areas with a hand brush, that are the worst. This is called spot treating. Then suck up these areas with the extractor. I think the streaky look is becaues of the way you pull the wand across the rug. You do however want the fibers to be lifted and not flat. This makes for a faster drying time. So pull back the wand the opposite way that the fibers lay causing them to stand up and look fluffy. If you go the other way it will cause it to look flat. Oh, and don't add boiling water to machine there are plastic parts and seals in machine which will be damaged by hot water. You can use hot water but not boiling...
Get some pro company to do it ,a little more but its the best way.
