Rug Dr. questions

[Marlet]

1. Can I use something other than the extremely overpriced and ridicously small amount of soap product? I got the largest bottle that was supposed to be "8-10 rooms" but the lady obviously didn't look at the label. It only does "4-8 AVERAGE sized rooms". I'll finish my basement with a tiny amount left...like maybe for my lone hallway. I don't want to go buy another bottle for a variety of reasons. I have some oxiclean that says it can be used. Is this one of those things you can sub out on or is this one of those things that will fall apart if it has something non brand name in it?

2. This is going to take me forever. Am I filling this wrong? It says to fill until half the filter screen is covered. I'm doing that and having to dump and refill every 6-10 swipes of a room. I'm not doing large swipes either! It's frustrating to have to keep stopping.

3. Is it worthwhile to buy your own Rug Dr.? I'm staring at the sticker advertising that and it's sounding very appealing. It was ridiculous what I paid today to rent this stupid thing for one day. :

[LVale]

If you have stains on your carpet that will not come out pretreat them with resolve. Otherwise I use nothing but water, and keep going over the area until the water runs clean. The soap or cleaners will cause a build up and that is just gross. I have been using just water in my steam cleaner for about 20 years, and I do not have a problem. Just treat the stains as soon as you get them. Oh I do have my own steam cleaner, and it has paid for itself many times over. Plus I know what I am cleaning up my own family ickies as compared to a rented machine.

[Marlet]

I wondered if just water would be effective! I'll save the soap for some of the dirtier areas (I'm ok with buildup...we're moving in August and this cleaning is only for the potential of getting our deposit back ).

[1growingsprout]

I have a Hoover Steamer that i LOVE. I fill the top holding bucket all the way and go until the bottom needs dumping. I do have to stop ALOT for dumping of the bottom bucket. I find that using boiling hot water works best... It also works best if I steam every 4-6 weeks on the carpet area instead of waiting for a reason to do it.

I think my Hoover cost under $200 and its more than paid for itself.

[nathansmum]

I've used a decent amount of white vinegar mixed in with the hot water in the rug doctor before and the carpets come up lovely and clean.

[Mama Mko]

I have the Hoover F5914-900 SteamVac with Clean Surge and I LOVE it. I just use hot water and no soap sometimes if the room just needs a little freshening up. If it needs a deep clean (poop or vomit) I use the Hoover detergent they recommend.

[Happiestever]

I am going to rent one in a week or so and I plan on using oxyclean in place of the expensive solutions. I have tried it with my little spot bat steamer and it works wonderfully. Even on my husband's ground in greasy shoe prints and the who-knows-what from my kids. Last time I rented one it didn't get out the stains, just the surface dirt, but when I used the oxy it took care of both.

[shelbean91]

You can put wahtever cleaner in it that you want. We bought our own cleaner for the first tiem about 12 years ago. We bought the cheapest hoover upright steamer that walmart sold- it was about $150 and lasted us about 5 years with heavy (once a week regular cleaning, plus spots- 3 kids & 3 dogs) use. that stopped workign and we bought a new hoover, fancier, with all the extras for almost $300. That died after about a year. Went back and bought the no frills model and we're going on year 2.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5893627

This is the one we bought (twice) and I looked all over and could only find it at walmart- not sure if that is an issue for you. WELL worth the money.

If we have a really badly stained area, dh will boil water and add oxyclean. Pour that directly on the stain and let sit for a bit before sucking it up. The heat really helps with the tough stains.

[leavemealone]

Originally Posted by OtherMother'n'Madre

2. This is going to take me forever. Am I filling this wrong? It says to fill until half the filter screen is covered. I'm doing that and having to dump and refill every 6-10 swipes of a room. I'm not doing large swipes either! It's frustrating to have to keep stopping.

3. Is it worthwhile to buy your own Rug Dr.? I'm staring at the sticker advertising that and it's sounding very appealing. It was ridiculous what I paid today to rent this stupid thing for one day. :

In my experience, you do have to empty and refill it quite frequently. It is a pain, but it's what I've found to be true. I don't know if it's worth it to buy a Rug Dr branded machine b/c they are quite expensive, but I did see them at Kohl's so if you can get it on a good sale with another % off, it would be less (but still not as inexpensive as something like Hoover brand)

[Marlet]

I did end up stretching the bottle of cleaner a bit but I also used some oxiclean. It actually worked better than their cleaner. I ran out of both by the time I got to the master bath and bedroom and then I just used vinegar. I can't tell a difference but a friend stopped by and said they look great.

[Chicky2]

We never use soaps. I was told by a guy who cleaned carpets professionally to just use BOILING water and vinegar. He said the hotter the water the better.

[zersha]

I've used dr bronners in it before and it seemed to work fine, and smelled much better than their cleaner. Theirs feels like it's burning my lungs.

Next time I think I'll try the oxyclean though, sounds like it works well.

[Aufilia]

We used a Bissell cleaning last time we rented a Rug Dr because my mom had had such good things to say about it, and it worked great. No need to buy the Rug Dr stuff. The only trick is figuring out the right measurement sometimes because it's important not to use too much (too much will leave soap residue in the carpet which will actually collect dirt).

If you have the chance I'd rent a "Extra wide" Rug Dr instead of the regular kind. It was worth the extra few dollars we spent last time to get the bigger machine because it went faster.

[ollineeba]

Originally Posted by shelbean91

You can put wahtever cleaner in it that you want. We bought our own cleaner for the first tiem about 12 years ago. We bought the cheapest hoover upright steamer that walmart sold- it was about $150 and lasted us about 5 years with heavy (once a week regular cleaning, plus spots- 3 kids & 3 dogs) use. that stopped workign and we bought a new hoover, fancier, with all the extras for almost $300. That died after about a year. Went back and bought the no frills model and we're going on year 2.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5893627

This is the one we bought (twice) and I looked all over and could only find it at walmart- not sure if that is an issue for you. WELL worth the money.

If we have a really badly stained area, dh will boil water and add oxyclean. Pour that directly on the stain and let sit for a bit before sucking it up. The heat really helps with the tough stains.

Thanks for posting that link. That one has really good reviews.. and 97 cent shipping. We've been thinking about getting one & I think this may be it..

[StarJune]

Originally Posted by shelbean91

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=5893627

This is the one we bought (twice) and I looked all over and could only find it at walmart- not sure if that is an issue for you. WELL worth the money.

Does the upholstery attachment work well? I am booking someone to come in and clean the couches and I think that based on the price of this, it is a better deal. I did not realize that the low-end steam cleaners worked so well.

I may as well buy it and do the carpets, couches, mattresses as well....