I am ashamed [blush]

Sshhh don't tell anyone!

Don't worry vampirequeen that's good dirt, carpets get dirty,full stop. You wouldn't want to ask people to 'take their shoes off' (see recent thread) I think as a nation we spend far too much time worrying about cleanness. Life too precious and short

I admitted it on here because I knew you would all understand. I should have done it months ago but I was too busy living my life

Any time I have shampooed carpets I have been horrified at the colour of the water -- You are NOT alone!!!

lol, mine needs doing - well the thought is there!

I'm always amazed at the water when I've done mine, also when curtains get washed. They used to be even worse when there were smokers in the house, many years ago thankfully.

Don't be worried Vampire our lives are for living not cleaning carpets thats one of the reasons I decided not to have carpets in our apartment and went for wooden floors you'd be surprised how clean everywhere looks with a dust and a promise.

I wouldn't worry about it - you'd be surprised at how much dirt gets trapped in the bottom of a carpet, even when you think you've kept them pretty clean! I used to work for a firm that did in-works cleaning of carpets. People used to have carpets taken up, cleaned and altered to fit other rooms. Some carpets that came in were fairly new, but the dirt that dropped out of them when they went through the beating machines had to be seen to be believed. Even the best vacuum cleaner won't get it all.

it's normal.. don't worry!

It's normal, mine needs doing can you pop over pleeeeese

Shampoo carpets? - hmm, there's an idea.

You don't need to be concerned, it is a marketing ploy. Carpet shampoos are designed to turn a muddy brown colour when used, that way you think they have worked brilliantly, and you will buy some more, your carpets were actually clean. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Ah! No carpets here!

My carpets have never been cleaned, but I have moved house fairly often!

Yes, been there, done that, been horrified. ?

I must be weird because I love to see the dirty water after cleaning my carpets

I kept shampooing mine but had to give in and buy new ones in the end
I gave myself rotor cuff injury

My carpets were grey to begin with!!

We don't wear shoes in the house, but we do have a Dog/ Yes I have shampooed my carpet, and it isn't very old, but good heavens the water was a bit like a weak gravy!! Ugh

Just seen your post Wobbly...I will go with that theory now. I like it

Ooh can I join your 'marketing ploy' conspiracy group please Wobblybits even though I've never cleaned a carpet.

Surely the dirt falls to the bottom where it doesn't matter, except for the obvious, food, playdoh, bluetac etc which you just scrape off!

Smells from spilt milk, juice, baby wee, wine (who me?) etc eventually disappear without intervention. Muck also helps to develop our immune systems remember!

It is my belief that a colourant is put into carpet shampoos, it turns sludge like when applied so as to convince us that we need to do it all the more.............don't get suckered in.

I have vinyl almost everywhere now,not as cosy but far easier when I have a dog and grand chidren.......and feet of my own.

Whenever i shampoo my carpets I'm amazed at the colour of the water afterwards, but very pleased as i feel i have done a good job. I would be disappointed if the water wasn't so filthy. It wonder what that says about me. lol.

It could also be the dyes coming out of the various fibres in the carpet. Not all dirt.

SHANMA---only thin gravy? Mine is more like the Tony Hancock variety. He liked the gravy to move around a little bit!