Best carpet cleaning solution and/or appliance for major pet household?

[cowboymom]

Through no fault of my own, we have moved to a house that has carpet. I will eventually get rid of the carpet but I’m going to need to clean it in the meantime. Old dog and puppy have peed on it here and there; so far the cats are good but if there is a chemical that I can use to clean both dog and cat pee that is good. I’m sure at some point they will pee on a rug or something just to make a point. I want to get the solution that laurierace recommends but it’s for cats more than dogs; would it work on dog pee just as well, do you think? Hmmm.

And I’m open to suggestions on the machine too-I don’t want to spend more than around $200. I have amazon prime and the dreaded Walmart to shop from.

Thanks!

[Laurierace]

I will look at the carpet cleaner I have in the morning and let you know what it is. I have had more expensive ones but think this one works the best of any I have had. I answered you in a PM but will put it here too. I think cat odor off is a bit better/stronger than it’s counterpart kennel odor eliminator. I have used them pretty much interchangeably but buy the cat one exclusively now. Just an ounce or so added to the cleaning solution or a few ounces added to the washing machine and everything is good as new.

[cowboymom]

I’m all ears on the cleaner brand-I’m getting bogged down in all the amazon reviews on them too!

Can’t wait to get these carpets clean! Thanks!

[Kat_Renee]

For spot treatments, I like the Arm & Hammer Pet Stain & Order Remover with OxiClean.

With a carpet machine (RugDoctor), I like Resolve Pet carpet machine cleaner. We unfortunately have Berber carpeting and it is a light tan color (ugh). It shows everything!

After an unfortunate experience with my dog and pork bones, we borrowed SIL’s carpet cleaner. I wish we used it years ago. It really worked wonders on our carpet.

[cllane1]

For a home cleaner, we have a Bissell steam cleaner that works really well. Sometimes we rent a Rug Doctor from the store for more intensive cleaning. But if you’re looking to really mitigate or eliminate pet stains or odors, might be worth it to have a pro company come out. A lot of them run specials that make it pretty affordable, and they can specifically treat pet stains and put a protectant on the carpet.

[Laurierace]

I have the Hoover Max Extract 77. This is my go to spot cleaner. Unfortunately I have used it twice already this morning. Don’t know why it is sideways and don’t know how to fix it. Let me know if you can’t read it.

[LadyBug]

I have a full-sized carpet cleaner (I forget the brand… Hoover, I think?). I like it, but I only use it about once a year. Be careful about fully shampooing carpets on a regular basis. If they don’t dry out well you can create mold problems or damage to the subfloor underneath. For puppy accidents, I use this:

http://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/bissell-reg-spotbot-reg-pet-spot-cleaner/1017748190?Keyword=spot+bot

We foster dogs, and that is seriously one of the best purchases I’ve made for floor cleaning. Just sit it on top of the spot, hit the button, and let it do the work!

[Laurierace]

I just bought the spot bot. I will let you know what I think, thanks for he recommendation. Unfortunately it is likely to get a workout. I just hired a pro to come clean it well so hopefully this will help me keep it that way without lugging out the big cleaner.

[LadyBug]

[QUOTE=Laurierace;7713189]
I just bought the spot bot. I will let you know what I think, thanks for he recommendation. Unfortunately it is likely to get a workout. I just hired a pro to come clean it well so hopefully this will help me keep it that way without lugging out the big cleaner.[/QUOTE]

My dog decided to puke on the carpet while I was home for lunch today, so I had to drag mine out. :lol: I think carpet is disgusting (with pets around), and we have very little of it in our house. However, the Spot Bot certainly comes in handy to at least make me feel like I’m doing a better job of cleaning up their messes… Hope you like it!

[Laurierace]

Ok the spot bot is the best thing I ever “bot”. Unfortunately in just two days of ownership I have had ample time to test it out. What amazes me is when I dump out the dirty stuff it looks like straight pee. My back thanks you!

[cowboymom]

HMM I’m considering the spot bot now too-my carpet cleaning shopping is costing as much as the carpet…and I hate carpet!

Today is shopping day, time to make decisions!

[Laurierace]

I would think most people could get by without the bot but with a house filled with dogs it is very handy. A little tip if you do get a bot however. Go to Bed Bath And Beyond. It is marked $149 in the store but $129 online. I told them about the online price which they confirmed and gave me a 20% off coupon instead of adjusting the price. It came to $120!

[LauraKY]

[QUOTE=Laurierace;7715789]
I would think most people could get by without the bot but with a house filled with dogs it is very handy. A little tip if you do get a bot however. Go to Bed Bath And Beyond. It is marked $149 in the store but $129 online. I told them about the online price which they confirmed and gave me a 20% off coupon instead of adjusting the price. It came to $120![/QUOTE]

Another helpful hint about Bed Bath and Beyond, they accept expired coupons. I just keep them all until I need them. I never pay full price for anything.

[ahf]

I’ve bought at least three household rug cleaners over the years. None of them gets the job done like a Rug Doctor rented from the grocery store. Never buying one again. If I had urp issues with the pets i have now, I would get a spotbot, and 2x per year just rent a Rug Doctor.

[backupspunky]

[QUOTE=cowboymom;7712170]
"[…] but if there is a chemical that I can use to clean both dog and cat pee that is good. "

Thanks![/QUOTE]

I have a number of four-legged house members, all of whom have committed the occasional “accident”. There is no animal odor in my house… one word (maybe two: aka Resolve)

PROSOLVE.

…aerosol foam, spray in a bottle, powder in a plastic can (this last method works really well with the carpet cleaner if used right with a brush). Doesn’t matter. This is a product that does the job. Good luck!

[cowboymom]

How large of an area does that spot bot clean? I’m afraid our old dog made some puddles that spread out to be more than just a puppy squirt, maybe a 12 inch spot to clean?

We live 50 miles from town which complicates renting a cleaner but that might still be a better option.

[Laurierace]

I would say about the size of a bread plate.

[cowboymom]

Thanks! I suppose it could be used side by side for a couple applications too if necessary…

Guess what I’ll be doing tomorrow? :lol:

[freshman]

The Bissell QuickSteamer is my proven favorite. It’s the cheapest fullsize upright model they make @ $99 or so, but the only one I’ve had that actually sucks up the the same amount of water it puts down and leaves the carpet almost bone dry, which is the biggest deal to me. My first one lasted several years with heavy use which seemed like a very good deal at the price point. I splurged on 2 more expensive machines after that but neither came at all close to the cheap-o Bissell. So I bought another cheap-o little Bissell that has worked just as well as the first one and is still going strong after 5+ years. Very lightweight, which is a good thing for a carpet cleaner because even ons that seem very reasonable at the store or out of the box will quickly wear you plum out after it’s filled with water and you drag it back and forth over the carpet a few times. Cons to the little Bissell are relatively small tank and narrow width.

I guess this is the current generation of the same thing I have:

http://www.target.com/p/bissell-quicksteamer-powerbrush-pet-deep-cleaner-47b2t/-/A-14500131?ref=tgt_adv_XSG10001&AFID=google_pla_df&LNM=14500131&CPNG=Appliances&kpid=14500131&LID=3pgs&ci_src=17588969&ci_sku=14500131&kpid=14500131&gclid=Cj0KEQjwgryfBRDn7cvY-pOit4cBEiQAB3nTbvwr2kMHPBv53fXiIq58qgLiF3NKknzGTn4H4WkMzd0aApPE8P8HAQ

ETA: No advice on cleaning solutions except don’t believe you are limited only to whatever brand formula they tell you to use in the product propaganda packet that comes with your machine. I’ve used all the standard ones on the shelf in the Bissell and also made my own with various things like oxyclean powder and splashed in febreeze, etc.

[Laurierace]

Might have to rethink my love of the spot bot! The circles are looking pretty nasty after they dry. Maybe I should dilute the solution more than it calls for?