SteamVac with Clean Surge F5914-900

[CompassionAk]

Does anyone know if this vacum Hoover SteamVac with Clean Surge F5914-900 Review (http://www.consumersearch.com/carpet-cleaners/hoover-steamvac-with-clean-surge-f5914-900) is safe to use around the birds?I have e-mailed the company and am waiting to hear back from them and figured it wouldn't hurt to ask here and see if anyone on LBP uses this model.

What does everyone use to shampoo their carpets with?I didn't see anything that looked pet friendly in the store and I am curious if there is something besides vinegar and water I could use.

[Pips mom]

We have wood floors here....sorry! We have some carpet, they're just big rugs that can taken outside to cleaned if need be. We love hardwood the floors here! Carpeting is cozy, but we can still get some rugs to put down in some places to have something softer under our feet.

[CompassionAk]

I would kill to have wood floors,carpeting is nasty!It stinks because we're not quite ready to buy a place,there's nothing on the market in our price range that we like so we're going to try and find a 6 month and then month to month rental so that we don't have to stress about a lease if we end up finding something we do like later on.

Anyways we have to clean the carpets here before we leave and I was thinking what the heck maybe I should just buy a carpet cleaner rather then renting one that way I can clean the carpets when ever I want and not have to worry about returning some cruddy rental.The model I listed is top rated and on sale at Freddies so I went and bought it,I can always return it later if it's something I shouldn't use around the fids.

[linda040899]

Steam cleaners are safe to use around birds, as all they use to clean is steam.

When I had carpeting, I used a carpet cleaning solution made by Kirby. It worked well and had no effect on my birds whatsoever.

I also have all laminant on my floors and I don't miss the carpeting one bit!

[CompassionAk]

If you happen to think of what the solution was called please lt me know.

[jk1944]

Whenever I have to have my carpets cleaned, I move all my fids into one room, put wet towelling next to the crack under the door (probably a bit much here but I'm a worry wart!) There's an outside exit in this room so I can get out. I leave my fids there at least two weeks after the cleaning finishes. So far, so good.

[Jally]

They have that particular model on the Avianweb website listing it as safe, plus a whole host of other steam cleaners.

http://www.avianweb.com/steamcleaners.htm

The only thing I would be worried about is the heater, if it is nonstick. Just a few months ago, I found out that the humidifiers I was using had a nonstick heater in it. :( Teflon is everywhere, even in places you wouldn't suspect! So, I am leary now of everything that heats up LOL But I really want a steamcleaner to clean cages!

[linda040899]

I checked the link and found this at the very bottom:


PLEASE make sure to remove any pet from any area that is being cleaned or has been cleaned and the carpet is still wet. I have heard of birds dropping dead after being exposed to carpet cleaning solutions under the "right" conditions (poor ventilation, too much solution, etc. ). I personally try to clean the carpet with warm water first, and only if the dirt don't come out, then I will use a carpet cleaning solution. There are alternative, safer solutions that you can use. I keep the cleaning solution around only for heavy soiling and make sure that I remove my pets from the area until dry. I don't stick around myself. I don't think that these chemicals are helping us any either (other than cleaning the carpet). They might not kill us "on the spot", but could very well show their damage later through cancer (http://www.avianweb.com/cancer.html).
White vinegar mixed with warm water is a safer and cheaper alternative.
Vinegar and water is a wonderful combination and will clean very well. I'm chemical sensitive and have had to give up a lot of things I used to use and find natural alternatives. This is a win-win for my birds, my wallet at the grocery store.....and me!

[CompassionAk]

Here is the reply I got back from Hoover:
Hello, Thank you for your recent email. I checked with our Engineer department. Here is thier response. I hope this helps. No PTFE-lots of PP, PVC and ABS derivatives. With sensitive little birdies she should be more worried about the type of soap she decides to use and fumes. Sincerely, Customer Service 33 1.330.499.9499 Monday - Friday 800am to 700pm EST.

Of course I don't plan to use regular carpet cleaning solutions so that won't be an issue but I am wondering what this is,"lots of PP, PVC and ABS derivatives" I am guessing they are talking about the different types of plastics used and that it isn't an issue?

[linda040899]

To the best of my own knowledge, all the items listed are plastics and should not be a problem since the plastic is not in contact with food. I, personally, like cleaning with vinegar and water or just plain steam. Nothing toxic about either of those and both will get the job done!