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Best stuff for cleaning _really_ dirty carpets?

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Old 09-19-2003, 01:05 PM
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Default Best stuff for cleaning _really_ dirty carpets?

No, my SSEi is nice and clean -- it'* the family '96 Trans Sport that'* horrible. It'* got the light-gray carpet inside, with all kinds of apple-juice spills, soccer-practice mud, you name it. I don't even want to _think_ about what some of those stains might be.

Anyhow, I've already tried stuff like Glory carpet cleaner with so-so results, and I have a Hoover SpinScrub carpet cleaning machine that did an okay job on the carpet mats using the Hoover brand of carpet cleaner, but I'm looking for heavy artillery now. Does GM have a gets-anything-out carpet cleaner? Something that sprays on, or scrubs in with a brush, or...? Anything I can use in the carpet machine?
Old 09-19-2003, 01:11 PM
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For the organic stains you can try some sort of oxygen enabled product (oxyclean, clorox makes one, etc). If its grease related try simple green (test for stain), if its wax use a paper bag and an iron. A steam machine may also help with any of the above...

-- Rogue
Old 09-19-2003, 01:41 PM
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Every spring I use Fantastic on the mats at the car-wash and then spray them down with water. They are wet for a few days, but they look like new when I'm done (and perhaps a shade lighter ).

I also spray Fantastic on all of the spots on the interior carpeting when I get one. Comes right out. But, if you do it, please test to make sure it won't change the color too much. I haven't had any problems on my interior.
Old 09-19-2003, 02:10 PM
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I really don't know what to suggest as far as a "home remedy", but I have a freind who runs a steam-cleaning business. If you want brand new looking carpet, that'* what I would suggest. They have a something called P.O.G. (Paint Oil Gum) that gets up ANYTHING. He only charges about a 20-spot, but that may be just for me.
Old 09-19-2003, 02:55 PM
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Originally Posted by TrueWildMan
I really don't know what to suggest as far as a "home remedy", but I have a freind who runs a steam-cleaning business. If you want brand new looking carpet, that'* what I would suggest. They have a something called P.O.G. (Paint Oil Gum) that gets up ANYTHING.
Sounds interesting. I'm going to see if some friends can find something like that at a wholesalers' place.

Reason I was asking about GM products was because a friend some years back worked as a detailing guy at a Buick dealer, and had some amazing stuff for cleaning white interiors and vinyl tops. It was a powder (maybe an orange color) that you mixed into a bucket of water, and with a little scrubbing it did the most amazing job. Do they still have something like that? If so, can you use it on carpets?
Old 09-21-2003, 09:50 PM
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Just an idea (you'll be the judge) but my wife and I have bought and sold alot of cars over the last 8 years, and trying to find the easiest, quickest, and best cleaning method for carpeting was G0-JO hand cleaner. Of course, we had already purchased a carpet shampooer and we tried it as a pretreater on some pretty nasty stuff. I was honestly laughing at how fast it came up. On the test car, the previous owner had attempted a top end rebuild, and stored the parts in the front floor boards Although I didnt have much to lose, I didnt regret trying it. I would still recommend trying on an obscure spot to make sure it doesnt alter the color, as with any carpet cleaner. Good Luck
Old 09-22-2003, 08:45 AM
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Originally Posted by jkinney
Just an idea (you'll be the judge) but my wife and I have bought and sold alot of cars over the last 8 years, and trying to find the easiest, quickest, and best cleaning method for carpeting was G0-JO hand cleaner.
Hmmm... I haven't got GO-JO in the basement but I've got some other orange-citrusy-type stuff down there. I can try that (or just go and buy some GO-JO first if no other brand comes close)...

How did you use the GO-JO? Buy a tub of it, or a pump bottle or what?

Smear it on the carpet and brush it in?

Wet the carpet first?

Thin the GO-JO first?
Old 09-22-2003, 09:34 AM
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I usually keep a small tub of it on hand (few $$$). I cant say I've tried the "citrus" stuff for stains, I know it'* granular and didnt like the idea of not being able to get all of that out. I just get some on my fingers and rub it into the area and let it set for a little bit (few minutes) while I go do other spots. Once the carpet gets damp from the shampooer (they never get 100% of the water up) the GoJo wont be able to break down the areas as well, it is water soluble. I sometimes pretreat a couple of times just to make sure I got it pretty good. I have also used a small hand brush to get the stubborn stains. Let me know how it turns out if you decide to try it. Good Luck
Old 09-22-2003, 09:53 AM
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Originally Posted by jkinney
Just an idea (you'll be the judge) but my wife and I have bought and sold alot of cars over the last 8 years, and trying to find the easiest, quickest, and best cleaning method for carpeting was G0-JO hand cleaner. Of course, we had already purchased a carpet shampooer and we tried it as a pretreater on some pretty nasty stuff. I was honestly laughing at how fast it came up. On the test car, the previous owner had attempted a top end rebuild, and stored the parts in the front floor boards Although I didnt have much to lose, I didnt regret trying it. I would still recommend trying on an obscure spot to make sure it doesnt alter the color, as with any carpet cleaner. Good Luck
Awesome idea!! I have some Go-Jo, I think I'll try it too. Did you have any luck, Andy??
Old 09-22-2003, 02:00 PM
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Originally Posted by TrueWildMan
Awesome idea!! I have some Go-Jo, I think I'll try it too. Did you have any luck, Andy??
Me? Haven't tried it yet; only saw that message this morning. Will probably try it this evening, or otherwise as soon as possible...


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