Steam Cleaning - DIY or Professional?

Our carpets have gotten a bit dirty over summer with DS running in and out, so I am looking at getting them steam cleaned. Has anyone used the do it yourself steam cleaners - like the ones you can hire from the supermarkets? I am thinking it's something I am going to have to do every few months as our carpet in this place is very light and not good for little boys and big boys who are builders with dirty socks :rolleyes:.

Are the supermarket ones any good? Our supermarket has two brands - Britex and The Rug Doctor. Anyone used either of those? Or are they just a waste of time, and I should just hire a professional to do it?

i used the rug doctor one a while back in old house - wasn't bad but took some getting used to - had to make sure not to flood the carpet with water. mum used it the same weekend (we made sure we got our money worth!) and managed to flood her hallway so i spent a looong time cleaning that up. i would think the britax one (the one with seperate hose and head from the body of the cleaner) would be easier if you've got small places to get into... they are definitely a shampooer NOT a steam cleaner, so you will have wet carpet for a while, need to be able to keep kidlets away for a while and ahve the house open

financially, it's cheaper to go with the supermarket one cos you can do everything at once (floors, lounge if you have one you want to clean) and if you get it on the weekend, it's well worth the money esp if you can share

having said that, i started borrowing SIL's parents upright shampooer a while ago and then actually bought one ourselves - it was less than $200 and works brilliantly. we have light mottled carpet, and it needs frequent cleaning (desperately needs doing now) - so for us, the value was there in buying it. we can also, having our own, do one room at a time so it's easier to keep kids or pets out for that time - over winter, we tend to clean one room, open up the windows, close the door - when that's dry, we do the next room

if you do it yourself, do a GOOD vac first, then shampoo, and be prepared that heavy traffic areas may need to be done more than once (like entry way etc)

HTH

BG

im do mine by myself with the hire ones, i think theyre great
i do mine every 3 months, its a bit pricey the first time u do it because u have to buy the shampoo and defoamer but they last a good 3-4 uses so now it only costs me about $35!! much cheaper than professional.
They can take some getting used to and they do use alot of water, but u can definetly see the results.
i get mine professionally cleaned once a year tho, im funny with carpet only because the kids play on the floor all the time! i recommened doing it urself but only if u can be bothered! also u have to wait for ur carpet to dry because theyre steam cleaners not dry cleaners so that might be something else u'll need to think about
Good luck

Thanks girls!

Skye - that's a great point about the products lasting a few uses as I think it is something I will need to do quite regularly. I don't want to be one of those mums that is pedantic about dirty feet every time DS runs in and outside.

BG - I might look into buying our own. As I said we'll be doing it often as the carpet is so light. Maybe I can talk DH into using some of the K-Rudd money.

I am hoping to hire it overnight so we can do it after DS goes to bed and then let it dry overnight. Our biggest problem with hiring a professional is that our nextdoor neighbour is one, but he is super expensive. He recently did a friend's house and it cost her heaps. But he is really nice and we'd hate to offend him by having someone else's van in our driveway. I know there is that issue of "well, it's his fault he is so expensive then" but I'd rather keep the peace!