"I would say I've spent probably over $2,000... easily in getting my carpets clean... keeping them maintained...clean (using professional services in the past).
Based on my (recent) experience with Rug Doctor, I know that I cleaned my carpet just as well as any professional company out there."

- Gaylen Harper

Is Your Carpet/Uphostery Suitable For Hot Water Extraction Cleaning?
Troubleshooting
Download PDF Instructions With Photos For Carpet Cleaning
Download PDF Instructions With Photos For Upholstery Cleaning

Rug Doctor machines are designed to deep-clean and extract in one cleaning pass. Your best choice for cleaning difficult spots, stains, or traffic areas is to use Rug Doctor's specialty products:

Hi-Traffic Pre-Treatment
Spot Remover
Pet Stain Remover
Odor Remover

Avoid over-wetting your carpet. Don't go over heavily soiled spots more than 2 times. Berber, Multi-level, or Looped carpets retain more liquid - for these types of carpets, DO NOT repeat cleaning passes. If additional cleaning is desired, allow carpets to dry before attempting to re-clean heavily soiled areas. Because they retain more liquid, Berber carpets that are overwet can experience "wick up" of soils or spills very deeply embedded in the carpet or backing. If you experience this problem it is generally easily fixed: allow area to dry completely, then clean again using single, quick passes (2 feet per second) with the Rug Doctor machine.
 
Overlap passes slightly to cover all areas. IMPORTANT: When pressing switch (or button) keep machine moving so vibrating brush does not agitate in one place.
 
You should recover 2/3 to 3/4 tank of dirty water for each tank of clean water used depending on your carpet type.

Open windows and doors, or turn on air conditioning or heat for faster drying. This is highly recommended when cleaning Berber carpets.

To prevent stains, if replacing furniture before carpet is completely dry, place aluminum foil under furniture legs.

Avoid excess foam in the upper, white tank which can be expelled through the machine and may affect your carpet. If foaming occurs, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup Rug Doctor Anti-Foam to UPPER tank.

1. If desired, move furniture. Vacuum area you'll be cleaning thoroughly with your own vacuum.
2. Pre-treat problem areas: Spot, Pet Stain or Odor Removers for localized spills and odors.

1. Mix Rug Doctor Carpet Cleaner with hot tap water in a clean bucket according to product label directions. Water should not be so hot as to scald or burn skin. Note: Rug Doctor tank capacity is a little over 7 litres; Wide Track capacity is a little over 13 litres.
2. Remove the (white) dirty water tank.
3. Fill the LOWER tank with the water/cleaner mixture.
4. If you are using Anti-Foam, add ¼ to ½ cup of Rug Doctor Anti-Foam to the UPPER tank, then slip the tank back in place. Seal the tank and clear dome securely by replacing restraining wire. Anti-Foam is necessary for carpet cleaning only if you've previously used high foaming shampoos or spray on products.
5. Check the back of machine, make sure both hose connections are secure. Test the brass "quick coupler" by gently pulling on the clear hose. If it is loose, connect securely.
6. Plug the power cord in and position the machine.

1. Refer to the label on top of machine and turn machine ON for carpet cleaning. For some machine types you may also need to turn on the Vacuum ON switch.
2. While squeezing the red trigger switch OR (depending on model), pressing the red thumb switch on the handle, pull machine slowly and steadily backward in a straight line, keeping the vacuum slot against carpet surface. You will begin to see dirty water entering the clear dome. (If you don't, stop and refer to the Troubleshooting section or call 1800 441 900.)
3. Release the trigger or thumb switch 15 to 30 centimeters before ending pass to stop cleaning solution spray. Tilt the machine back and move forward to position it for another cleaning pass. Overlap passes 5 centimeters to ensure even cleaning.
4. The tank is empty when you hear the machine sound change and dirty water stops entering the dome. Stop and empty the UPPER white tank and refill the lower tank. Continue cleaning.

Download upholstery cleaning instructions with photos in PDF format.

1. Prepare surface for cleaning by thoroughly vacuuming or brushing. Set up the machine, directing your attention to the hose connections at the rear.

1. First, pull free the top portion of the large vacuum hose at the back of the machine. Then connect the top portion of the machine vacuum hose to the vacuum hose of the Hand Tool. Next, slide down the sleeve of the brass "quick coupler" on the machine and pull out the small solution hose. Slide down the coupler sleeve again to insert the metal end of Hand Tool solution hose. Release the brass sleeve to secure. Tug gently on the hose to make certain the connection is complete.
2. Remove the UPPER (white) tank. Mix Rug Doctor Upholstery Cleaner with water in a clean bucket according to the label directions and pour into the LOWER tank.
3. Add ¼ to ½ cup of Rug Doctor Anti-Foam to UPPER tank, then slip tank back in place and seal tank and clear dome securely by replacing restraining wire.
4. Plug in the power cord and position the machine. Refer to the label on top of machine and turn the machine ON for upholstery/hand tool cleaning. On some machines you may also need to turn on an additional switch for Vacuum ON.

1. Test for colorfastness by first cleaning a small, hidden area, then rub the test area with a white towel. If no color appears, continue cleaning. A little color on the towel means there's some chance of color running, but you probably can still clean safely. Dry cushions on sheets or towels laid out on the floor.
2. Working at a slow, steady pace, begin cleaning by squeezing the hand tool lever as you pull the tool over fabric. Overlap strokes slightly. IMPORTANT: Do NOT depress the trigger/button on machine handle while using the hand tool.
3. As you clean, with the vacuum on, squirt or vacuum small amounts of Rug Doctor Anti-Foam into the small (vacuum) opening of the hand tool every few minutes to minimize suds build-up inside the vacuum hose. If foam builds up around the hand tool, pull a little bit faster or vacuum excess solution by passing over area a second time without squeezing lever.
4. When cleaning is complete, empty any remaining solution by holding the hand tool over a sink and depressing lever until tank is empty.
5. With all switches OFF, disconnect the Hand Tool hoses and securely reconnect the machine vacuum and solution hoses before returning to rental location.
NOTE: For velvet upholstery, fluff up damp pile with a soft brush or towel to keep from matting.