Rug Doctor Reviews–A Worthwhile Expense?

Emily KingJun 19, 2021

We get it: you’re excited to (finally) be able to have that dinner party you planned over a year ago. But, before you get out your fancy wine glasses and Pinterest-inspired table settings, you might want to consider giving your carpets a good cleaning.

One of the most used items in our house, it’s important to deep clean carpets at least once a year. Not only will doing so eliminate allergens and dust from contaminating your air, this will also give your home a fresh, crisp look.

In our Rug Doctor reviews, we have taken a look at the best-rated models available to help you make the best choice for your space–just consider it a spa day for your home.

What is Rug Doctor?

Rug Doctor is one of the original and most well-known creators of carpet cleaners. Created with the hope of providing the everyday American with the opportunity to clean their carpets like a professional, Rug Doctor saves you both time and money.

Just a quick glance of their website will provide you with everything you need to make your carpets shine: from machines you can buy, recommended cleaning solutions, and even a blog that answers costumer’s most frequently asked questions with tips given by the pros.

In addition, one of the perks of Rug Doctor that make it stand out from its competitors is that they offer a variety of rental options at over 40,000 stores nationwide.

Their website has made it super easy to rent a machine, as you simply enter your zip code and what you need (i.e. what kind of cleaning you will be doing), and the website tells you exactly where you need to go.

And, with a rental price of only $40 for their top-rated Pro Deep Cleaner, your carpets will be looking brand new in no time without the expense of paying retail price for the machine or hiring a carpet cleaning company.

Rug Doctor vs. Competitors

With so many different companies that offer similar products, it might be hard to see at first glance why Rug Doctor is the brand to go with.

We took some time to research and compare Rug Doctor’s most top-rated product and how it compares to a couple of similar products offered by top competitors.

Rug Doctor Pro Deep Cleaner

Price: $599 (or $40 a day to rent)

Pros:

Can be used on carpet, rugs, upholstery, stairs, mattresses, pet areas, hardwood floors, grout, and more.

It has separate 1.5 gallon tanks, giving you more cleaning time and less hassle

Comes with a motorized upholstery tool to make your furniture and car look brand new

Was given the highest award by the Carpet and Rug Institute for its effectiveness on water & soil removal

Cons:

Heavy to lift

Tanks need emptied as you clean (according to reviews, clean water runs out quickly)

Full purchase price is expensive

Bissell BigGreen Carpet Cleaner

Price: $399

Pros:

Powerful deep cleaning
Made for households with pets
Many reviews state the BigGreen model is stronger than Rug Doctor

Cons:

Only cleans carpets & upholstery
Heavy (41 lbs)

Overall, Rug Doctor seems to excel competitors in both functionality and precision.

While the retail price is higher, the ability to rent a Rug Doctor actually makes it an even more affordable option! Although Bissel can be rented at some locations, Rug Doctor seems to be more readily available.

Rug Doctor – Top Products

In addition to the Pro Clean Cleaner, the list below is our personal favorite and highly recommended Rug Doctor products:

X3 Carpet Cleaner

$34.99/rent for 24 hours

Renting is quite possibly the best and easiest way to get your hands on a Rug Doctor.

We recommend their X3 Carpet Cleaner, as it is their most cost-effective option and is great for cleaning even the dirtiest carpets.

Rent Now

Shop Amazon

Rug Doctor Pet Portable Spot Cleaner

A must-have for all pet parents out there; Rug Doctor’s Pet Portable Spot Cleaner has 2X the suction power of leading pet cleaners, allowing you to have a clean carpet and car in no time at all.

Rent Now

Shop Amazon

Pro Wet/Dry Vacuum

$29.99/ rent for 24 hours

Currently in the middle of a home improvement project? Don’t go through the hassle of cleaning up without the use of this amazing product. It’s commercial grade suction allows you to clean even the dirtiest crevices in no time flat.

Rent Now

Rug Doctor Reviews

Now, does the Rug Doctor actually live up to these great claims? We analyzed hundreds of Rug Doctor reviews to see what the top feedback was. Here is what people have to say about these carpet cleaning machines:

Clean water runs out very quickly.

Rug Doctor does a good job cleaning, but only if it’s in good condition.

Time-consuming to use in larger homes

Some consumers stated it left a musty smell afterwards, even after drying.

Bottom Line

Rug Doctor is truly the best-of-show when it comes to carpet cleaners. Not only have they mastered high-level suction technology, but are also passionate about providing you with professional quality results.

Renting is definitely the best option with Rug Doctor, as it is a quick and easy way to have the clean home you’ve been dreaming about without the price and hassle of calling in a professional.

If you decide to go with a Rug Doctor, make sure to read about proper methods for cleaning to avoid any problems! For example, Rug Doctor shares tips about how to avoid over-wetting your carpet.

Note: If you have pets, some Petsmart locations rent out carpet cleaning machines that many consumers say work better (these are Bissell machines).

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