Cleaning carpets
Author
Discussion

Taita

Original Poster:

8,002 posts

233 months

Sunday 19th October 2008
quotequote all
Hey,

I live in a shared house and the carpets are pretty fecking manky. Bare in some places but look like they haven't had a clean since the 70's.

The landlord has a policy of being a fkface, so I'd rather do it myself than get one of his jobsworths in. Any worker he has supplied has been a prize dick tbh; painting over locks and taking 2 days to change 3 door handles etc.

However, should it go wrong, I don't fancy the fallout, so does 'Dynorod' for carpets exist? What is the best way of doing this? Get some quotes, then pick the one that we want rather than the landlord sorting it out from Oxford?

I'm in Liverpool. Thanks,
T

robinhood21

31,148 posts

262 months

Sunday 19th October 2008
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Alfa_75_Steve

7,489 posts

230 months

Sunday 19th October 2008
quotequote all
Hire a RugDoctor from a supermarket for the weekend.

Doesn't cost a lot if you have the time to do it.

pies

13,116 posts

286 months

jmorgan

36,010 posts

314 months

Sunday 19th October 2008
quotequote all
We hired one of them carpet cleaners from the DIY and it did the job however there was a distinct wiff for a while after. It was a cheap mainly wool carpet. Since gone to meet its maker for other reasons, not the cleaner.

miniman

30,095 posts

292 months

Sunday 19th October 2008
quotequote all
Alfa_75_Steve said:
Hire a RugDoctor from a supermarket for the weekend.

Doesn't cost a lot if you have the time to do it.
Trouble is, you still have to buy a load of the cleaning solution which adds to the price. Anyway, that's no major problem compared with the other key issue with the rent-a-cleaner machines - they are st. Get someone in, it will take them a quarter of the time with professional machines and chemicals and if you make sure you pick the right ones, they will be insured against calamity.

nurburgring1

617 posts

230 months

Sunday 19th October 2008
quotequote all
If you want it doing properly, have a look on the web at the NCCA ( National Carpet Cleaners Association ) and look for a member in your area. All members know what they are doing and are fully insured. Renting a machine may improve it, but may not get it to it's best.

Taita

Original Poster:

8,002 posts

233 months

Sunday 19th October 2008
quotequote all
Nice one guys, I'm erring towards getting the pros in.

What do you think it would cost for a smallish 3 proper bedroom and 1 box room terrace? Upstairs only.

V12Les

3,985 posts

226 months

Sunday 19th October 2008
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Never worth doing it yourself, had my living room done last week (30'x12') for £50, turned out like new.

nurburgring1

617 posts

230 months

Sunday 19th October 2008
quotequote all
I always visit a potetial client and give them a written quotation, I never guess an approx quote over the phone.

Taita

Original Poster:

8,002 posts

233 months

Sunday 19th October 2008
quotequote all
Yeah I'm just after a very rough figure. One of the tests for which company gets it will be if they are reluctant to quote without seeing it, don't like firms that do that.

miniman

30,095 posts

292 months

Monday 20th October 2008
quotequote all
nurburgring1 said:
If you want it doing properly, have a look on the web at the NCCA ( National Carpet Cleaners Association ) and look for a member in your area. All members know what they are doing and are fully insured. Renting a machine may improve it, but may not get it to it's best.
I would go for personal recommendation to be honest. I followed this advice (search NCCA website) and the guy that did my carpet was pretty rubbish, left the house smelling of stale fags and the carpet wasn't especially clean (although it was pretty shocking to begin with).

dirkgently

2,160 posts

261 months

Monday 20th October 2008
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Taita said:
Yeah I'm just after a very rough figure. One of the tests for which company gets it will be if they are reluctant to quote without seeing it, don't like firms that do that.
How dose that work then? They quote for a lightly soiled carpet in an empty house,when they arrive the carpet is caked with 2 inches of dog crap and the house is like an obstacle course.

krusty

2,473 posts

279 months

Monday 20th October 2008
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pies said:
Chris cleaned some of our carpets prior to selling the house. Did a great Job.
I believe Groucho has had him a few times as well.....

nurburgring1

617 posts

230 months

Monday 20th October 2008
quotequote all
miniman said:
nurburgring1 said:
If you want it doing properly, have a look on the web at the NCCA ( National Carpet Cleaners Association ) and look for a member in your area. All members know what they are doing and are fully insured. Renting a machine may improve it, but may not get it to it's best.
I would go for personal recommendation to be honest. I followed this advice (search NCCA website) and the guy that did my carpet was pretty rubbish, left the house smelling of stale fags and the carpet wasn't especially clean (although it was pretty shocking to begin with).
Sorry to hear you were not happy with the carpet cleaner you used. I can only hope that your experience was very rare, but as you say, the carpet was pretty shocking to start with. As for the stale fags, I am shocked.
I get most of my clients from recommendation. Maybe an idea would be to ask to read testimonials from satisfied clients.


Edited by nurburgring1 on Monday 20th October 08:54

Hedders

24,460 posts

277 months

Monday 20th October 2008
quotequote all
dirkgently said:
Taita said:
Yeah I'm just after a very rough figure. One of the tests for which company gets it will be if they are reluctant to quote without seeing it, don't like firms that do that.
How dose that work then? They quote for a lightly soiled carpet in an empty house,when they arrive the carpet is caked with 2 inches of dog crap and the house is like an obstacle course.
Then the quote would be meaningless. In order to take advantage of a rough quote, you have to give an accurate description of the job!


Glassman

25,013 posts

245 months

Monday 20th October 2008
quotequote all
krusty said:
I believe Groucho has had him a few times as well.....
eek

Coco H

4,237 posts

267 months

Monday 20th October 2008
quotequote all
Would it be cheaper to clean when the house is empty? We need to get ours done when we move out and I was thinking having an empty house would at least make it easier

nurburgring1

617 posts

230 months

Monday 20th October 2008
quotequote all
Hedders said:
dirkgently said:
Taita said:
Yeah I'm just after a very rough figure. One of the tests for which company gets it will be if they are reluctant to quote without seeing it, don't like firms that do that.
How dose that work then? They quote for a lightly soiled carpet in an empty house,when they arrive the carpet is caked with 2 inches of dog crap and the house is like an obstacle course.
Then the quote would be meaningless. In order to take advantage of a rough quote, you have to give an accurate description of the job!
As I mentioned above, get a written quotation. I always visit a prospective client to see the carpet.
There is a big difference between lightly soiled and caked in two inches of dog crap. I have seen it all, well not quite two inches, but it always sounds like a potentially interesting job when someone rings and says that they didn't quite make it to the loo.

nurburgring1

617 posts

230 months

Monday 20th October 2008
quotequote all
Coco H said:
Would it be cheaper to clean when the house is empty? We need to get ours done when we move out and I was thinking having an empty house would at least make it easier
Much easier. Just realised the time, PH the cause of being late for work.

Edited by nurburgring1 on Monday 20th October 09:06