Carpet cleaning?

[AppleSnapple]

I'm sorry if this has been done to death in the past... Have just come home from parents in law's house to the realisation that my carpets are SO SO SO grotty!! I mean, they were grotty before Christmas, but a week away from them has made me realise just how awful they are!

I was thinking of hiring one of those rug doctor machine things, my quedtion was, is there any vax or domestic type machine that would be as good?

Our worst problem is a kitchen Carpet- lots of grot on it from 2 ds dropping food over past 4 years, and beside the door so it's had dirty boots aplenty too

Any thoughts, home-type experts?
Thanks!

[wowfudge]

I've used Rug Doctors successfully several times, but it is pretty hard work. If you use their cleaning fluids, they are very expensive.

I would get a couple of quotes from carpet cleaning companies - it's not as expensive as you think and their equipment is much more powerful than anything you can buy or hire domestically. They can also probably treat after cleaning to protect the freshly cleaned carpets. It won't take as long as doing it yourself either.

[AppleSnapple]

Thanks wow. I did a load of research and it looks like- either spend £200+ to get a vax type machine, hire one or get someone in, as you suggest. I quite fancy a steam mop/cleaner job but it won't solve my immediate problem of manky carpets- and while it would be handy to have own machine- when would I use and where would I put it?! Thank you

[Gwenhwyfar]

How about controlling dust mites? I also don't have much money or space for a machine? Would I be better off getting a professional in or trying to borrow a carpet cleaning machine?