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Housekeeping

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Carpet washer disasters

11 replies

eveningprimrose74 · 27/06/2026 06:10

I rented a rug doctor this week. I live in a bungalow so cannot leave windows open when I'm.out. did a carpet wash, everything was fine on the day, but the following day my whole house stinks of stale water.
My dehumidifier didn't pick up enough water, or maybe I know I didn't rinse the machine down prior to use so if might have been a dirty washer.
Is it worth doing it again?
Is it the humidity? I'm hoping I have not ruined my carpets. Ive used a washer dozens of times before but not on these carpets in this house but I've never had an issue
I'm at a loss at how to fix this. I'm moving in 9 months & it's a rental & don't have money to buy new.
Anybody any ideas?

OP posts:
Tortephant · 27/06/2026 07:25

Not sure OP but you could look at buying a Vax, they are very very good and leave the carpet almost dry after use.

eveningprimrose74 · 27/06/2026 07:53

I am considering re hiring a rug doctor again & redo ing the carpets.
My ex has a vax and we've just broke up. Typical!
Make up, borrow the vax, wash carpets, give it back, leave!
Joking...slightly.
I will give it a week & see if it settles.

OP posts:
NoWordForFluffy · 27/06/2026 07:56

You'd be better just buying your own. The Vax is so much better than the Rug Doctor, and it's dead handy to have your own for when you need it. We only got the basic level Vax and it's great. It cost less than 3 hires of the RD.

eveningprimrose74 · 27/06/2026 23:03

My ex has loaned me his vax, no idea what it is like but I will give it a go in the morning & go over it several times with the vacuum bit to get all excess water out.
I can smell my carpets from outside!
Hallway & a bedroom. There are issues with ventilation in the house. I'm regretting doing them as I only wanted to do a freshen up & I've ended up doing the opposite!

OP posts:
OutOfApricots · 27/06/2026 23:08

NoWordForFluffy · 27/06/2026 07:56

You'd be better just buying your own. The Vax is so much better than the Rug Doctor, and it's dead handy to have your own for when you need it. We only got the basic level Vax and it's great. It cost less than 3 hires of the RD.

Could you tell me which Vax you have please, our carpets desperately need doing and I'd like a recommendation, thanks.

NoWordForFluffy · 27/06/2026 23:11

OutOfApricots · 27/06/2026 23:08

Could you tell me which Vax you have please, our carpets desperately need doing and I'd like a recommendation, thanks.

This one: https://www.argos.co.uk/product/8151298

It's really been worth getting.

Inventorofthetoasterstreudel · 27/06/2026 23:23

Did you maybe oversaturate the carpets? I’ve used a rug doctor a couple of times and the first time went mad in the first room with the spraying and had trouble drying the carpet out, think it might have got to the underlay.

I’ve since bought a carpet washer and am less heavy handed with it.

ETA - Sorry just re read and seen you have used them before.

OutOfApricots · 28/06/2026 10:41

@NoWordForFluffy Thank you🙂

BatFinkk · 28/06/2026 12:20

Are your carpets wool? This would produce the smell you describe if you try and wash them

Elieza · 28/06/2026 12:23

i’ve done a wool carpet and it stank. it was just too wet. had to put the heating on full bing for days to try and dry it. nightmare.

eveningprimrose74 · 28/07/2026 21:33

Inventorofthetoasterstreudel · 27/06/2026 23:23

Did you maybe oversaturate the carpets? I’ve used a rug doctor a couple of times and the first time went mad in the first room with the spraying and had trouble drying the carpet out, think it might have got to the underlay.

I’ve since bought a carpet washer and am less heavy handed with it.

ETA - Sorry just re read and seen you have used them before.

Edited

I borrowed the exs VAX, it was happy enough to put down the water but didn't want to pick it back up. The hallway i had to lift & chuck the underlay as the house was stinking, the bedroom smells a little musty but I can live with it.
Never again. The floor is concrete & tiles & the water just sat in the underlay & wouldn't suck up.
2 x ruined carpets unfortunately.

Ive used rug doctors dozens of times but not on these carpets or in this house.
Im moving next year anyways so I will just put up with it.

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