Do those rug doctor carpet cleaners really work well?

Question

I have some minor dirt stains in my beige carpet from my kids. Not such a big deal that I want to replace carpet but I'd like to deep clean it for the holidays. I purchased a steam cleaner from Walmart and I wasn't impressed. My last resort is to rent a rug doctor. Just wanted to get anybody's opinion whose used one before. Thanks.

Answer 1

junk.

by the time you rent it, buy chemicals, lug it home, do it yourself, clean it up, take it back.......just look in the coupon books that come every few weeks for steam cleaning comanies.

most will do like up to 4 rooms for $100. you'll spend that once you are done w/ that rug doctor.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Sometimes you'll get a Rug Doctor that is old, and the suction is bad on it. That is terrible news for your carpet, since you want all the water out. As the clerk or manager how old the cleaner is before you rent it. Tell them you prefer a new one. When you get home check the bottom of the unit by laying it down. If it's dirty looking, clean it off first.

I don't waste my money on the harsh chemicals that come with the cleaner. I use Ivory dishwashing liquid (as told to me by a woman who sells carpet) and hot water. I use 1/2 teaspoon to a full container of water. I also add a good shot of carpet stain remover. The best I've found is from Ace Hardware, called Selig. It's a liquid spray in a red bottle, is made in Georgia. You do need to buy the de-foamer when you rent the cleaner, just in case your water is the type that would cause the ivory to foam up too much. (soft water)

Pre-treat any small stains as you go with SHOUT. Spray just a teeny bit on, and then rub it gently with your fingers. As stated earlier, boiling water probably works better, but could also shrink your carpet or the pad if it's got certain fibers in it. Rug Doctor recommends you pull the cleaner at 1 foot per second- make sure you do it that way. Clean the carpet in straight lines, then if it's really dirty, go back over it using diagonal lines. I always go back over every area using just the suction to pick up any water I missed.

When your tank water is clean, so is the carpet. [Do make sure you vacuum well before you start cleaning] After you are done with one area, place a fan on the floor and turn it on to help dry the carpet faster. If you have any tiles floors, make sure you clean them before you start cleaning the carpet, so you don't track dirt back onto your clean carpets. Also make sure the front and back outside porches are clean.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Do those rug doctor carpet cleaners really work well?
I have some minor dirt stains in my beige carpet from my kids. Not such a big deal that I want to replace carpet but I'd like to deep clean it for the holidays. I purchased a steam cleaner from Walmar...

Answer 6

Rug Doctor Walmart

Answer 7

They really work, I use boiling water instead of just hot water and double the recommended amount of cleaner!! I use it at home and on commercial use rug.. Some of us are do-it yourselves. Be care-full with rug cleaning guys by the time they get thru is a lot more that you bargain for, they charge for moving the furniture or anything they think you can fall for, specially if you have a coupon. If it sounds too good to be true , it usually is not!!

Answer 8

Walmart Rug

Answer 9

Waste of time. A professional can do a much better job, and you can find coupons to get it done for a good price - not much more than doing it yourself and w/o the hassle. They are experts and can do it right! ** Hint, though: get someone who uses a truck-mounted steam cleaner. Don't fall for the new "chem dry" way of cleaning carpets without water. It's AWFUL!!! All it does is spread the dirt around and ruin your carpet!

Answer 10

I had good results with the rug doctor. I hope you returned the steam cleaner as they don't work like they say they do.
Happy Holidays.

Answer 11

Not really they are about the same. My friend that cleans carpets professionally also says that you can end up ruining your carpet with them because if you don't do it exactly right some water stays under the carpet and can start rotting your floor.