Whitehall Vs Rug Doctor
Do you really need to hire a professional carpet cleaning service to deep clean your carpets? A lot of consumers would argue that the Rug Doctor is just as effective as professional methods, so we set out to perform a side-by-side comparison of our truck mount carpet cleaner and the Rug Doctor.
For DIYers, the Rug Doctor has long been one of the most trusted ways to clean residential carpets. When it comes to cleaning a smaller space on your own, everyone knows the Rug Doctor is the go-to. And, almost every town of size has at least one location where you can rent a rug doctor and buy cleaners through a self-service machine.
But how effective is the Rug Doctor, really?
We know this is a pressing question for a lot of people, especially those with indoor allergies. If you have small children who leave behind a lot of stains you will also appreciate a carpet cleaning solution that will truly leave your carpets looking their best. Is the Rug Doctor good enough?
The truth is that the Rug Doctor is definitely a great DIY solution. But, when compared to our professional carpet cleaning methods, it still falls short. Here is a breakdown of what we show in our comparison.
Cleaning solutions
To ensure that our test was as accurate as possible, we used the same chemicals for rinsing in both the Rug Doctor and our Truck Mount. If you were to use the Rug Doctor cleaning products, you would not get the same results that we did.
Preconditioning
We ask that you prepare your home for having carpets cleaned before we arrive. The first thing we will do is precondition your carpet so that dirt is loosened and ready to be lifted out with our truck mount’s powerful vacuum. This allows us to get a much deeper and effective clean. There is no preconditioning setting or equipment with the Rug Doctor. Already we can see that our truck mount is going to remove more dirt.
Water used during cleaning
The Rug Doctor only holds 2 to 2.5 gallons of water, as shown by our video. By contrast, our truck mount uses more water to rinse and lift away small particles. When we were finished cleaning an area of the same size we pulled 3.5 gallons of water out of the carpet.
Temperature of water used in cleaning
Our truck mount keeps the water at a consistent temperature, allowing us to clean your entire carpet with water hot enough to be effective. The Rug Doctor, on the other hand, does not allow for temperature control. As soon as you put the water in the tank it starts cooling, and the water will be downright cold long before you finish.
Vacuum effectiveness
The Rug Doctor has a powerful vacuum, but nothing that can compare to our truck mount. Our vacuum is strong enough to pull every particle of dirt and debris in your carpet.
Maneuverability
The Rug Doctor doesn’t really turn, and it is so bulky you can’t get the edges of a room. The machine leaves an inch or so of your carpet completely untouched. Our truck mount wand is so small and flexible, it can get around any obstacle in the room.
So, is professional carpet cleaning better than doing it yourself?
Our test shows very clearly that our truck mount carpet cleaning offers a superior cleaning method. But, the Rug Doctor does do a good job for a DIY solution. If you aren’t particular about getting a truly deep clean, you might be able to get by with a Rug Doctor. But there are some other reasons you might want to reconsider our professional carpet cleaning.
Have you ever actually used a Rug Doctor?
These machines are massive, and extremely heavy. Many people may not even be able to lift it into their car without assistance. Using that machine for one small room would require a lot of exertion, even for someone who is reasonably fit. Hiring a professional so that you can save your back is a pretty attractive proposition.
Carpet cleaning waste disposal
If you clean your carpet yourself, how do you dispose of the waste water? Most people don’t think about the fact that this water isn’t just dirty, it is full of very harsh chemicals. You shouldn’t just dump your Rug Doctor outside or down the sink. As a professional carpet cleaner, we have methods to safely and responsibly dispose of carpet cleaning waste water.
Is it worth getting carpets professionally cleaned?
Sure, professional carpet cleaning is often going to cost more upfront than renting a Rug Doctor. But there are some other things to consider. First, most people assume that they will only need a Rug Doctor for one day. Once they get started and finish the first room, they quickly realize they don’t have the stamina or the time to do more than one room at a time. The rental will add up far beyond what you budgeted.
Also, the Carpet and Rug Institute recommends that you clean your carpets every 12 to 18 months, more often for messier households. Since you’re only doing it once a year, the cost for professional cleaning is negligible. If you DIY your carpet cleaning, you’re not going to get as deep of a clean, which means you’ll have to clean it more frequently.
In the end, there is no doubt that professional cleaning services are definitely worth it when using effective methods. Not all carpet cleaners are as trustworthy, professional, experienced, and effective as Whitehall. Contact us today to schedule your carpet cleaning.