| FAQs About Using Rug Doctor
Carpet Cleaner Machine Questions
Cleaning Product Questions
Usage Details
Filling and Operation Questions
Do you have to put hot water in the Rug Doctor carpet cleaner?
No you do not have to use hot water, though hot water is recommended when cleaning carpet (except wool).
Does the Rug Doctor have a heating element in it, how does the water stay hot?
The machine does not contain a heating element. Hot water directly from your tap is completely adequate for effective cleaning. Some carpets such as wool should not be cleaned with hot water. Cool water is better for wool to prevent shrinkage.
Do you push or pull the Rug Doctor when cleaning?
The Rug Doctor machine cleans in a backwards motion. When walking backwards, the carpet cleaner is able to spray, brush and vacuum all at the same time, so you don’t have to walk in the areas you’ve cleaned as you progress.
How do you empty the lower container once you are finished?
When you’ve finished using the Rug Doctor carpet cleaner, after emptying the upper white container, take the machine either outside (never in the rain), or to a shower stall, bath tub or other floor drain. With the machine plugged in, turn the switch on to Upholstery/Hand Tool cleaning (so brushes will not sweep while emptying) and press the handle button for spray. If you used the machine last with a Hand Tool hooked up, you can take the machine to a sink area and spray out the balance of the water through the hand tool. ALWAYS BE SURE TO set the machine to “ON” for Hand Tool and Upholstery cleaning so that the brushes cannot damage the surface of the floor or area where you set the machine.
How do you clean the Rug Doctor when you are ready to return it?
To make sure the machine is properly cleaned for return, first make sure the top recovery tank and the lower solution tank is completely empty. Next check the filter inside the clear dome of the machine, simply pull it out and run it under hot water for about 20 seconds to make sure there is not any dirt, hair or residue left on the filter. Wipe away any debris or residue inside the dome and replace the filter. Finally, tilt the machine back and take a napkin and gently clean the under side and brushes of the machine.
Can I use an extension cord with the Rug Doctor carpet cleaner?
Though we do not recommend it, you can use a heavy-duty extension cord as long as the cord is grounded.
Is the Rug Doctor carpet cleaner hard to use? Will it be difficult for a petite person to manoeuvre?
Not at all, the machine is extremely easy to use - it’s as easy as vacuuming. Generally, one button turns on the machine and you move the machine backward while pressing the spray switch on the handle to clean. The machine has large rear wheels and is not heavy so manoeuvring is never difficult.
Cleaning Product Questions
Can I use products other than Rug Doctor in the machine?
Products that are not made specifically for water extraction method cleaning of carpets should NEVER be used. Damage can occur. Carpets need a specific pH range of cleaning that is effective and won’t damage fibres. As well, products that are not made for the kind of simple rinsing and extraction provided by the machine will leave residues that attract dirt. We do not recommend the use of any cleaners other than Rug Doctor solutions in the Rug Doctor machines. Through extensive testing we have found no products that compare to Rug Doctor in terms of the 3 critical elements carpet cleaning: effective deep-cleaning, pH balanced for safe cleaning and clean rinsing ability.
Can the Rug Doctor solutions be mixed together?
Some Rug Doctor solutions are not intended for use in the machine though no harm will come to your carpets if you do use them mixed with Steam Cleaner. Pet Stain Remover, Spot Remover and Hi-Traffic Pre-Treatment are all meant to be applied directly to stain or traffic areas. However, Odour Remover can be used as an excellent cleaning booster agent in the machine along with Steam Cleaner to help take care of stubborn odours in carpets. Its enzyme formula actually attacks the source of odours and helps eliminated them permanently. Heavy odour problems should be treated with a direct application of Odour Remover.
Can you use Rug Doctor solutions with other carpet cleaning machines?
YES! In fact, the superior formulation of Rug Doctor products could improve your results. When using Steam Cleaner especially you will likely notice the carpet you clean stays clean longer that’s because other brands of carpet cleaners leave residues behind that attract dirt. Rug Doctor rinses away leaving only fresh, clean carpets.
Are the solutions safe for pets, small children, and biodegradable?
All of our Steam Cleaner solutions are water based and non-toxic, however, we always recommend that small children and pets are out of the areas until the carpet completely dries. When cleaning your carpet you will be pulling dust and dirt from the backing of your carpet into the machine, should any of those micro-particles become airborne they could be irritating to those with very sensitive skin and immune systems. All of our solutions are biodegradable.
Which solutions can be used in the Rug Doctor carpet cleaner, which ones are spot cleaners, how can each one be used?
Not all of Rug Doctor’s solutions can be used in the machine. Steam Cleaner, Upholstery Cleaner and Odour Remover can be used in the machine along with water in the lower tank. You cannot use the Steam Cleaner or Upholstery cleaner directly on carpet or upholstery as a spot cleaner. Anti-foam product is a de-foaming agent and not a cleaner. It is used exclusively to eliminate foam build up in the machine and is added to the upper (white) recovery tank by itself. Odour Remover, however, can be used in the machine, directly on a spot or even in a spray bottle as a room freshener. Hi-Traffic Pre-Treatment can only be used prior to cleaning your carpet, it cannot be used in the machine nor can it be used by itself without being extracted later. Spot Remover and Pet Stain Remover are both spot treatments to be applied directly onto carpets or upholstery; they do not go in the machine. It’s convenient to keep products like Spot and Pet Stain Removers, even Odour Remover on-hand since they don’t require machine application and are excellent products to use in between machine cleanings to keep your carpets and upholstery spot free.
Do you have a product for killing fleas in carpets?
Rug Doctor does not currently produce a product that will kill fleas in carpet.
Do the Rug Doctor products work well for people with allergies? Are the solutions hypoallergenic?
Cleaning of any kind will help people with allergies. Deep cleaning your carpet helps remove the dirt and allergens deeply imbedded in your carpet. We have not tested our solutions to be hypoallergenic.
Usage Details
Can the Rug Doctor carpet cleaner be used to extract water - from a flood for instance?
The Rug Doctor machine not only deep cleans your carpet, but can also be used to extract water from carpets left wet from a flood. Many people have used the machine to extract water from their carpet after a terrible flood. The machine is an electrical appliance. Good judgment must be exercised when extracting water from overly wet carpet as there could be a risk of electric shock. The machine should NEVER be used on a carpet or anywhere where standing water remains. Only carpets and upholstery that are damp, not water laden or soggy are safe for extraction
Can I clean Berber carpeting? How about wool? Area rugs? Shag? Oriental? Etc.
You can clean Berber carpeting, however care must be taken not to over wet it. Berber carpeting’s tight, looped weave tends to hold much more moisture than cut pile carpets. Over wetting can create drying problems so you should make sure you are limiting your cleaning passes to one only. It’s a good idea to go over Berber a second time without depressing the spray switch to give it an extra vacuuming only pass. Wool carpeting can be safely cleaned with cool water. However, do not use Rug Doctor machines or products on natural fibre oriental rugs (silk or wool), cashmere, hand-loomed wool rugs, braided rugs, sisal, jute-carpets or anything that states dry clean only. You can clean area rugs; however, you should remove them from any areas where flooring under the area rug can be damaged by water such as hardwood or laminate flooring. The best way to clean your area rugs is by taking them out side or to your garage and cleaning them there. Once they are completely dry the rugs can be returned to the hardwood flooring. You may use our machines to clean shag carpeting, the same instructions apply as cleaning Berber carpeting, make sure you don’t stay on an area too long with the machine and make sure you are vacuuming up as much or close to the amount you are putting into the carpet.
Can you use the Rug Doctor carpet cleaner on Tile, Cement or any other hard surface?
You cannot use the Rug Doctor machine on tile, cement or any other hard surface. (1) At the front of the machine is a hard metal surface that may scratch the hard surface flooring. (2) There is nothing on the machine to capture the water from moving about when sprayed on the surface, the machine does not contain a squeegee.
How do you clean stairs with the Rug Doctor carpet cleaner?
To clean the stairs you use the Hand Tool attachment. Set the machine to “ON” for Upholstery/Hand Tool cleaning and use Steam Cleaning solution in the tank.
Can I use the tool and your solutions to clean a mattress?
You can clean your mattress using the Rug Doctor Hand Tool and Upholstery Cleaner product plus Anti-Foam. It very important in cleaning mattresses not to over wet them and allow plenty of dry time. We recommend you first set your mattress up on its side. Clean one side of the mattress, making sure you go over your cleaning paths a second time without squeezing the Hand Tool lever so that the second pass is vacuum only. Once you have finished one side of the mattress, leave the mattress on its side and let it dry completely before continuing to the next side.
Is the Rug Doctor carpet cleaner heavy?
Depending on which machine you rent, empty the Mighty Pack Machine (smaller one) weighs 36 pounds and the Wide Track (Bigger one) weighs 44 pounds.
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