Rug Doctor???

Just when I made up my mind about renting the Rug Doctor...



I've heard a lot of positive testimonials on the web while also finding some not so positive.



From what I can see, you have to take into account that there are some people that probably didn't do it right or probably didn't follow the directions on the proper cleaning solution mixtures.



I've heard that pulling the machine SLOWLY is a big key factor in getting superior results. Pull it too fast and the machine can't work its magic.



I was going to hire a professional to clean the carpet in our home but I just don't know where to begin. I assume many use different machines and different techniques. Which is better? Which is more/less expensive? I've already read a few times that a truck mounted machine are the better cleaners but why?
 
Well, I did the living room carpets with a folex + OxyClean mix and it turned out great. It looks probably 5-10 times better than the regular carpet cleaner solutions from walmart. The dilution I made was 8 oz of Folex + 1 scoop of OxyClean for every gallon of water.



Always before the shampooer would get the carpet pretty clean but you could still see some of the heavy traffic areas where the carpet was a different shade. After the Folex Oxy mix it is pretty much invisible. The entire carpet looks really clean and bright and you can't really even see the heavier traffic areas on the carpet. My mother-in-law came in about an hour after doing the carpet and said she thought they looked brand new.



Now the test will be to see if any of the stains or traffic areas come back but I'm hoping for the best. So far I'd highly recommend the folex oxy solution.
 
evo77 said:
Just when I made up my mind about renting the Rug Doctor...



I've heard a lot of positive testimonials on the web while also finding some not so positive.



From what I can see, you have to take into account that there are some people that probably didn't do it right or probably didn't follow the directions on the proper cleaning solution mixtures.



I've heard that pulling the machine SLOWLY is a big key factor in getting superior results. Pull it too fast and the machine can't work its magic.



I was going to hire a professional to clean the carpet in our home but I just don't know where to begin. I assume many use different machines and different techniques. Which is better? Which is more/less expensive? I've already read a few times that a truck mounted machine are the better cleaners but why?
Click to expand...



There are a couple of keys to the RugDoctor. One, as you said, go slow. The other is to tip it as you pull so all of the weight is on the suction part and not the wheels. It really helps get the water back out. I lift it up so it's almost not even riding on the wheels but just the suction part.
 
CleanGSR said:
Well, I did the living room carpets with a folex + OxyClean mix and it turned out great. It looks probably 5-10 times better than the regular carpet cleaner solutions from walmart. The dilution I made was 8 oz of Folex + 1 scoop of OxyClean for every gallon of water.



Always before the shampooer would get the carpet pretty clean but you could still see some of the heavy traffic areas where the carpet was a different shade. After the Folex Oxy mix it is pretty much invisible. The entire carpet looks really clean and bright and you can't really even see the heavier traffic areas on the carpet. My mother-in-law came in about an hour after doing the carpet and said she thought they looked brand new.



Now the test will be to see if any of the stains or traffic areas come back but I'm hoping for the best. So far I'd highly recommend the folex oxy solution.
Click to expand...



Well I rented the "Wide" Rug Doctor today. So far the results are "ok". The carpet appears to be cleaner but its not a HUGE difference. Our carpet was in decent shape to begin with, with some isolated stains here and there so this might be the reason. My main objective was to just clean up the high traffic areas.



I tried your Folex/Oxy Clean mixture and I didn't like the results. It was a bit foamy and the Oxy mixture particles seemed to clog up the pick up tube. I didn't see you mention anything about adding a de-foamer and I didn't mix up the water to dissolve the Oxy Clean for fear of more foaming.



We had some Bissell carpet cleaning solution in the house so I've been using that and its working much better.



I will say that this machine runs through the water REALLY quick. I can't make many passes without running out of water. I'm overlapping my passes by half now to extend the water supply after initially overlapping by 5-6 inches.



I think my next go around will be hiring a professional.
 
evo77 said:
Well I rented the "Wide" Rug Doctor today. So far the results are "ok". The carpet appears to be cleaner but its not a HUGE difference. Our carpet was in decent shape to begin with, with some isolated stains here and there so this might be the reason. My main objective was to just clean up the high traffic areas.



I tried your Folex/Oxy Clean mixture and I didn't like the results. It was a bit foamy and the Oxy mixture particles seemed to clog up the pick up tube. I didn't see you mention anything about adding a de-foamer and I didn't mix up the water to dissolve the Oxy Clean for fear of more foaming.



We had some Bissell carpet cleaning solution in the house so I've been using that and its working much better.



I will say that this machine runs through the water REALLY quick. I can't make many passes without running out of water. I'm overlapping my passes by half now to extend the water supply after initially overlapping by 5-6 inches.



I think my next go around will be hiring a professional.
Click to expand...



I'm sorry to hear your experience didn't go as well. I made sure the oxyclean was dissolved before use so no clogging and all of the cleaner's I've ever tried foam (even the stuff that came with my carpet shampooer). The folex/oxy mix didn't foam any better or worse than the dedicated carpet cleaners (for me). Foaming doesn't make a difference on my machine though. I'm guessing it's because it draws from the bottom of the refill tank and the foam is all at the top of the tank.
 
I have a Hoover SteamVac and was using the Hoover cleaning solution but was disappointed as the carpet seemed to re-soil very quickly due to the soapy residue - although the maching does a fairly good job and leaves the carpet nearly dry.



The last time that I cleaned I used 303 Cleaner & Spot Remover mixed at 4 ounces per gallon and the carpet feels much cleaner and seems to be staying that way. It's only been a few days (but we do have three Golden Retrievers, a pretty good test, LOL) but I think that it's a HUGE improvement as far as staying clean.



AG has gallons of the 303 Fabric/ Vinyl Cleaner on sale. I think that this is the same product - but at a higher concentration. Can someone verify that?



*Edited to correct the product actually used.
 
I never rented a Rug Doctor before, but I do own one. It has worked very good for me and has cleaned my light colored cream carpets to a "like new" state. I've owned Bissell Machines in the past and they only lasted a year due to parts breaking or some kind of leak. The Rug Doctor is build to last and is sturdy. Compared to the Bissell, the Rug Doctor agitates the carpet while the Bissells Machines rotates their brushes like vacuum cleaners. Vacuuming and carpet cleaning are too different things.



There are important elements when cleaning a carpet.



1. Very Hot Water - water must be close to a boiling point if your carpet is in bad shape. I purchased a Bucket Heater from Tractor Supply that heats my hot tap water 10 degrees more. Close to boiling

2. I add the Rug Doctor Solution AND Oxi-Clean to the water and stir. Don't over due either, because the solution will sud up.

3. Go slow when while shampooing...

4. Go over the carpet with a water/vinager rinse.



I've used the Rug Doctor on carpets, furniture and my SUV.. all with good results. If you want before/after pictures they can be provided as well... :wavey
 
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