Carpet steamer...Spot Bot?

[Ultralight]

Hey, I have this older carpet steamer that is about 6 or 7 years old. It leaks.

I am told that leaky carpet steamers are the norm, especially after a few years.

Anyone else heard this?

I am thinking of trashing it or maybe even of donating it (perhaps the Volunteers of America or Goodwill folks could figure why it leaks).

Harlan is trained to go out -- even if he has to go number 3.

So accidents are very, very rare.

But if I donate/trash this steamer I am thinking of buying a Spot Bot. Thoughts on this item?

[mschrisgo2]

I just took a look at the reviews on Amazon...I'm not impressed: leaks, doesn't last very long, expensive to use...

I have a Hoover upright SteamVac, it's at least 10 years old, was used when my daughter brought it home from FreeCycle. I have discovered that the real key for it is using the "expensive" solution from the big box store, but in quantity of 40% less. A gallon, $15, lasts a couple years. I have to do the whole room, it really cleans well and is very obvious if I try to spot clean.

For simple spot cleans, until I have 1-2 hours to do the whole place on a sunny warm day, I use the Oxyclean spot cleaner in the brush bottle from the grocery store. It's even more expensive, $12 for about 10 ounces, but does a great job with little effort. (it can take the color out though, be careful where you use it).

[freshstart]

once my incontinent dachshund passed, I don't have to steam clean the carpets as often just the very occasional accident to clean up. I use straight hydrogen peroxide, works like a charm but test an area of your carpet, it can also change color but it has not with the carpet in this house or my old house. You can buy a big bottle of it for less than $2 (buy a big bottle so you can attach the spray top from an old bottle of Windex or similar).

we had one of those spot steamers at work, it just made stains more noticeable IMHO

[iris lilies]

We have a carpet cleaner, would it necessarily be a steam cleaner? I dont think it is. DH pulled it out of the alley, fixed it, and ow uses it 2X annually onour gross carpeting. It is his job because he is he one who wants to retain carpeting here.