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Rug Doctor/etc vs home steam cleaners?

alkemyst

alkemyst

No Lifer
I am looking at either renting a Rug Doctor (I have mostly tile, but want to do three couches and one large area rug) or buying something like this: http://www.amazon.com/BISSELL-Cleani...g_tr_1063922_1

The rental is $30 plus the inconvenience of getting it and bringing it back that I'd put a value of $20 on (Ace Hardware is 5 mins from my house).

So I am looking at a break even after 10 uses.

However, I can't figure out if the Rug Doctor is still much better than this unit esp. on upholstery.

I own a little green clean machine proheat and it's nice for only very small areas. The heater doesn't get / keep the water hot enough even when I fill it will hot water.
 
Those rug doctors do just fine (imho) compared to most of the similar home cleaners. If you want to spend a lot of money, you can buy a superior unit - but when you're only using it once or twice a year, plus have to store it, etc., that doesn't really make sense. I also like using the upholstery cleaner with them to do the floors in the vehicles. Though, this time of year (in this climate), I prefer the floors not get too damp - a few consecutive days of frost on the in side of the windshield is annoying.
 
DrPizza said:
Those rug doctors do just fine (imho) compared to most of the similar home cleaners. If you want to spend a lot of money, you can buy a superior unit - but when you're only using it once or twice a year, plus have to store it, etc., that doesn't really make sense. I also like using the upholstery cleaner with them to do the floors in the vehicles. Though, this time of year (in this climate), I prefer the floors not get too damp - a few consecutive days of frost on the in side of the windshield is annoying.
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Thanks, I do have a spot to store something in my laundry closet, I also have a quote request from Stanley Steamer as I'd like my tile professionally cleaned that encompasses most of the house. Maybe get a nice baseline and then move forward.
 
if you only do it once or twice get a company with industrial truck machines. You pay a little more but if you get a good company they will do it better than any rent your own machine ever could.
 
Maybe I've just had bad luck with Bissel products but it seems like everyone I've owned or borrowed has broken after 6 or 7 times used. My vote is for the Rug Doctor from Costco.
I've rented the the Rug Doctor a few times over the years and it always does a pretty good job.
 
I rent the wide track rug dr twice a year to clean a carpeted 2000 sq ft commercial space. does the job fine. changing water is the hardest part.
 
I haven't tried the newer rug doctor mx, but if it's anything like the standard rug doctor, buy a Bissell Big Green.

I did my carpets last year, wasn't satisified with the Rug Doctor results, and later rented the Big Green from Lowes. It kicked rug doctor's @ss. Hoover Deep Cleansing Carpet/Upholstery Detergent is the best detergent I've used as well.

If you're not sure, it might be worth renting one of each and comparing results before investing in one.
 
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I've used the Rug Doctor twice and it worked great on carpets. Cleaned the carpet in an old roommate's room after he moved out. Not hard to use at all either.
 
Ns1 said:
On the last ATOT thread on this subject ATOT recommended the following:

http://www.amazon.com/Hoover-SteamVa...=IY3F0IYIFSAA1
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Yes, I do recommend this.

Pros:
Lighter weight: 27 lbs vs 54 (Bissell) vs 39 (Rug Doctor)
Cheaper $135 vs $469 vs $349

Cons:
Smaller tank
Consumer grade vs Professional grade
4.3 stars from 3011 reviews on Amazon (Bissell 4.8 stars from 194 reviews, Rug doctor 3.6 stars from 22 reviews on Costco)

The top Amazon review does a comparison with the Bissell and Hoover, and it does appear that the Bissell is better, but the Hoover is still great for the price.
 
AnonymouseUser said:
Yes, I do recommend this.

Pros:
Lighter weight: 27 lbs vs 54 (Bissell) vs 39 (Rug Doctor)
Cheaper $135 vs $469 vs $349

Cons:
Smaller tank
Consumer grade vs Professional grade
4.3 stars from 3011 reviews on Amazon (Bissell 4.8 stars from 194 reviews, Rug doctor 3.6 stars from 22 reviews on Costco)

The top Amazon review does a comparison with the Bissell and Hoover, and it does appear that the Bissell is better, but the Hoover is still great for the price.
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I second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth this motion. I tried the Rug Doctor rental route, and also the cleaning company route with our carpets. It wasnt until I bought this nifty unit 3 years ago until I was totally 100% satisfied. This thing cleans better than you can ever imagine. Stop debating, and buy it from Amazon.

Also, the Resolve brand cleaner works better and uses less than the Hoover brand.
 
akshatp said:
I second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth this motion. I tried the Rug Doctor rental route, and also the cleaning company route with our carpets. It wasnt until I bought this nifty unit 3 years ago until I was totally 100% satisfied. This thing cleans better than you can ever imagine. Stop debating, and buy it from Amazon.

Also, the Resolve brand cleaner works better and uses less than the Hoover brand.
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Than hoover professional? Not a glimmer of hope in that statement.
 
Have you looked into having someone come to your house to do it for you? I don't believe it's too expensive, although I guess it may add up 2-3 times per year.
 
DaTT said:
Have you looked into having someone come to your house to do it for you? I don't believe it's too expensive, although I guess it may add up 2-3 times per year.
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One visit would cost as much as the Hoover vac.. and they wont do as good a job.
 
if youre cleaning dirty carpets rug doctor is definitely the way to go. bissel is very good, but rug doctor is much better since it has a moving brush and a much stronger vacuum. and the rug doctor soaps work really well. bissel is good for pet piss but you need rug doctor for a really good cleaning
 
I've got one of the cheaper Hoover units that was just over $100. Its really done a great job for the price. My 5 year old daughter has made some insane messes not to mention all of our pets. I'm sure the $500 is nicer but I'd be tempted to try the $130 before dropping half a grand. I've not done a lot of upholstery cleaning with it but the tool for that seems decent.
 
akshatp said:
One visit would cost as much as the Hoover vac.. and they wont do as good a job.
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it'd be a lot more than that. Stanley steamer is like $125 per couch alone, to do roughly 1500 sq ft of tile and 2 couches, a loveseat and chair I was over $1000.
 
Use the yellow pages or look for flyers/coupons every week.

Many will do a whole house for under $200. Add in another $200-300 for furniture.

Better off getting a home unit for $200 that has a remote hose from Bissel, etc.
Do not skimp on price - in this case, you get what you pay for.

Ours is used every few days because of the dogs getting up in age.

Then once every 4-6 months, a professional group will come in for the $200 and fine tune the house.
 
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