Do you remember the outrage when the Hanks brothers started selling to the public?

[Mikey P]

I wonder what the origin of this product is...

324K views · 5K reactions | I created Grout-eez after spending 25+ years in the grout cleaning business, because the options were awful. It was either: ✅ hydrochloric acid (too harsh) or ✅ “cleaners” so weak you need multiple steps and a full Saturd

I created Grout-eez after spending 25+ years in the grout cleaning business, because the options were awful. It was either: ✅ hydrochloric acid (too harsh) or ✅ “cleaners” so weak you need multiple...

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[Jim Pemberton]

It has always been thus.

In 197...something...maybe 1977 Steamex decided to quit making machines for carpet cleaners only, and made machines that could be rented out.


The carpet cleaning world was aghast. Trade shows were full of cries to sue Steamex for damage to the cleaning trade. Cleaners vowed to boycott them. Steamex didn't care, because they sold so many units into dry cleaning plants, carpet stores, hardware stores etc.

I think it really "hit the fan" when Johnny Carson endorsed renting them.

What it did, of course, was put carpet cleaning in people's minds, and as with Rug Doctor and any other rental system, it built the market far more than it damaged it.

 

[frank fratto]

I wonder what the origin of this product is...

324K views · 5K reactions | I created Grout-eez after spending 25+ years in the grout cleaning business, because the options were awful. It was either: ✅ hydrochloric acid (too harsh) or ✅ “cleaners” so weak you need multiple steps and a full Saturd

I created Grout-eez after spending 25+ years in the grout cleaning business, because the options were awful. It was either: ✅ hydrochloric acid (too harsh) or ✅ “cleaners” so weak you need multiple...

www.facebook.com

Looking back ? Rob, Gordon and Dave.

Treated me with the upmost Respect !

I like those guys!

They were good for my Business!

 

[FredBoyle]

It has always been thus.

In 197...something...maybe 1977 Steamex decided to quit making machines for carpet cleaners only, and made machines that could be rented out.


The carpet cleaning world was aghast. Trade shows were full of cries to sue Steamex for damage to the cleaning trade. Cleaners vowed to boycott them. Steamex didn't care, because they sold so many units into dry cleaning plants, carpet stores, hardware stores etc.

I think it really "hit the fan" when Johnny Carson endorsed renting them.

What it did, of course, was put carpet cleaning in people's minds, and as with Rug Doctor and any other rental system, it built the market far more than it damaged it.

Absolutely Jim

Social proof is a powerful marketing tool


Every time Stanley Steemer or Kennedy Carpet ( largest independent carpet cleaner in our area) we benefit


Carpet cleaning became less of a luxury and more accessible to everyone when machine rental gained traction


I’m sure all cleaners benefit from those rug doctor ads and machines at grocery and hardware stores


Keeps our profession on the minds of consumers

 

[Dwain Ray]

It has always been thus.

In 197...something...maybe 1977 Steamex decided to quit making machines for carpet cleaners only, and made machines that could be rented out.


The carpet cleaning world was aghast. Trade shows were full of cries to sue Steamex for damage to the cleaning trade. Cleaners vowed to boycott them. Steamex didn't care, because they sold so many units into dry cleaning plants, carpet stores, hardware stores etc.

I think it really "hit the fan" when Johnny Carson endorsed renting them.

What it did, of course, was put carpet cleaning in people's minds, and as with Rug Doctor and any other rental system, it built the market far more than it damaged it.

Hell without them i probably wouldn't be in business! In july of 1977 while on active duty with the Coast guard i started washing windows in my off duty time a customer asked if i cleaned carpets. I thought for a minute and said sure. I rented a rinse n vac from the local hardware store and did it that person told another person and so on and so on . I ended up renting the machine so much that the hardware store sold it to me for 325.00. Now i hear some saying i probably did a lousy job but at 22 and with the attitude that if i can clean a gymnasium floor with a toothbrush, burnish shine a floor with a bottle of wax and a buddy for weight on a wool blanket to polish i truly can and did clean carpets well with a 1970s rental machine, it was electric powered!

 

[Jack Zipper Zerkie]

Yes had the steemex with a propane tank that leaked was part of the purchase in 1981 of the business junked it tried a rinsenvac for a while then a hoover 20 gallon extracter then a ninja . Wow then a custom made unit from araizona . Then my first TM a pro 1700 water cooled white not magic. And more to come who cares now time to look back and laugh. Had a GREAT time with some really nice people and some not. But paid the bills. And now just want to sell it all just hit 84 and want to do whatever.

 

[Nate The Great]

I remember going to the Hank brother's houses in Utah playing with their kids.. While my pops looked over their systems.. They had them Mormon mobiles, aka 2 Suburbans.. Big families they had!