Rug doctor

[herbi7]

Hi, I was just wondering if anyone knew if there were risks to small pets from carpet cleaning chemicals? I was thinking of doing my carpets with the rug doctor but watching willow on her normal 'i need to sniff every square inch of the floor ten times before I go to bed tonight' routine I have doubts about whether it would be good for her. Obviously I would let it air and dry before letting her run on it but even so...?

[DrKMcK]

This is an excellent question herbi7. I haven't had any problems with my hams after doing my rugs. I have a Bissel rug cleaner and I use their liquid cleaner in it. I've had it for years and have not had a problem with any of my animals. I do let it dry and air for a few days before the hams go on the rugs after it's done, although my Chihuahua, Yoda, walks on it as soon as it's dry and has never shown any difficulties with it.

[herbi7]

Thank u DrKMcK. That's interesting. I don't know if we have that cleaner in the UK but I hope the chemicals they use are similar. I am sensitive to chemicals myself and have a lot of allergies to perfumes and cleaners that's why I thought of willow too as she is so much smaller than me and I am sure I would get symptoms if I went round sniffing floors and furnishings like she does! If you ask at the store they always say things are ok for humans and animals but that's not my experience so I wanted to check. I think she may find it stressful anyway if everything smells different as she is a fantastic navigator in her ball and always homes in on the same spots in my flat no matter where I put her to start with!

With my cat, who was always being sick on the carpet, I used a very natural cleaning foam for small areas as he got stressed and felt the need to wee on anything perfumed but I havent ever done the whole carpet at once. Other cleaning products I usually dilute down before I use them so perhaps I will do the same with the rug doc and see if it still works.

[Pumpkinsmom]

Could you just put some vinegar and water in the machine, and maybe a little oxyclean? That might be less toxic than shampoo.

[herbi7]

I will see what they say in the shop. Don't want to wreck the machine. Good idea