Deciding whether to buy or rent depends entirely on your cleaning frequency and the type of messes you are dealing with.
Many locations offer a 48-hour rental for $49.99*, so you can get an extra day for just $10 more! Add an Upholstery & Stair Cleaning Tool for $5.99* more, for either 24 or 48 hours. Learn more about our professional carpet cleaners.
Whether you're worried about allergies or grime, vacuuming and deep cleaning your carpets is a proven way to extract microscopic particles like pet dander, pollen, dust mite waste, and dust which can quickly build up in carpeting. These nearly invisible bits of debris can trigger allergy symptoms.
Yes, rental cleaners (like Rug Doctor) generally work better than store-bought, consumer-grade machines. Rentals boast more powerful motors, heavier brushes, and superior water-extraction suction. This heavier-duty equipment pulls out more deep-seated dirt, animal dander, and liquid than a machine you purchase.
Yes, hypochlorous acid (HOCl) can be used in a carpet cleaner to sanitize and deodorize, as it is highly effective at killing bacteria and removing odors without bleaching or damaging most fabrics. It is safe for most rugs and upholstery, particularly for treating pet odors and urine spots.
No, you should not use undiluted or heavy amounts of Dawn dish soap in a carpet shampooer. Dawn is highly concentrated and creates excessive suds that can overflow the machine, ruin internal pumps, and leave a sticky residue that attracts future dirt.
The best all-purpose homemade carpet cleaner is a mixture of white vinegar, water, and mild dish soap, which acts as a powerful, safe, and inexpensive cleaner. For deeper cleaning or pet stains, a mixture involving hydrogen peroxide and soap is highly effective, while a paste of vinegar and cornstarch works best on tough spots.
Sprinkling baking soda on your carpet before vacuuming is a great way to absorb odors and freshen things up. Just let it sit for about 15 to 30 minutes, then vacuum thoroughly.
When you steam clean a carpet, the dirt is loosened by the hot water and steam, then immediately suctioned out of the fibers. It is collected as dirty, muddy wastewater inside the machine's recovery tank, which must be emptied after cleaning.
With simple tools like baking soda, vinegar, warm water, and a good scrub brush, you can lift stains, eliminate odors, remove deep-set dirt, and refresh the entire carpet without renting or buying heavy equipment.
Anti-dust mite laundry detergents and additives are specially formulated to neutralize allergens and wash away waste matter in any water temperature, making them highly effective for allergy relief without damaging delicate fabrics.
Yes, absolutely! The carpet remains a favorite for bedrooms because it's soft, warm, and quiet. Plus, new technology makes modern carpets more durable and easier to maintain than ever.
Yes, dust mites thrive in pillows. Pillows provide the perfect environment for them, offering warmth, moisture from sweat, and a constant food supply of dead skin cells.
Renting a Rug Doctor or BISSELL Big Green carpet cleaner from Lowe's typically costs around $39.99 for a 24-hour rental.
The Biggest Carpet Cleaning Mistakes to Avoid
Carpets cleaned with a Rug Doctor typically take 4 to 12 hours to dry, but can take up to 24 hours depending on the carpet's thickness, indoor humidity, and room temperature.
To extract deep, embedded dirt from your carpet, first vacuum slowly to remove loose dry debris. Next, pre-treat with an enzyme cleaner or a DIY mix (1 tsp mild dish soap to 1 cup warm water). Let it dwell for 10 minutes, agitate with a scrub brush, and flush thoroughly with clean water.
The 20-minute rule in cleaning (often combined with the 10-minute break as the 20/10 Rule) is a productivity method where you set a timer and clean as quickly and intensely as possible for 20 minutes. When the timer goes off, you immediately stop cleaning and take a mandatory 10-minute break.
Mix a cup of vinegar (white) with a gallon of warm water. Put the solution in a spray bottle and generously spray it on the carpet. Allow a few minutes to sit to break down the stains, grease, dirt, and dust. Steam clean before the pretreatment solution dries.
For older or deeper messes, hydrogen peroxide can help—just use it on light-colored carpets and test a small spot first. You can also try oxygen-based cleaners or a commercial carpet stain remover, especially for tough stuff like grease, ink, or wine.
Sprinkle baking soda or a commercial carpet powder onto your carpet to neutralize odors, let it sit for 15-30 minutes, and vacuum slowly. For pet hair, lightly mist the carpet with water beforehand so the hair doesn't fly around.
Baking soda is a great trick for absorbing odours and moisture as it helps to balance out the smell. Simply sprinkle baking soda over the affected area and leave the baking soda to sit for at least 15 minutes. For best results, leave the baking soda to sit overnight before vacuuming it up the next morning.
The most natural and effective way to clean your carpet is by using a simple mix of distilled white vinegar, warm water, and mild dish soap. This homemade solution lifts dirt, neutralizes odors, and removes common spots without leaving behind harsh, toxic chemical residues.
Leave the baking soda and vinegar mixture on your carpet for 15 to 30 minutes for light stains and odors, or up to several hours (or overnight) for tough spots and severe smells.
Yes. The hydrogen peroxide, vinegar, and dish soap mix can be used in machines, but follow your machine's guidelines. Is a DIY carpet cleaner safe for all carpets? Most recipes are safe for synthetic carpets.