Renting the Rug Doctor at Home Depot
The stories I write are targeted at helping people solve technology infrastructure issues and attempting to get myself visibility with any Venture Capital firm that has a focus on infrastructure to hire me! Sometimes, I run out of technology infrastructure projects to write about and I write about home infrastructure. Today, I find myself with a summary of how to rent and use the Rug Doctor Pro from Home Depot, hereinafter, RDP.
Prior to heading to rent the RDP, consider the vehicle that you will transport the device in and whether you need a helper. I was able to put the RDP into the back seat floor of a 2005 Lexus ES 330 sedan with the seat moved all the way forward. The unit weighs approximately 40 pounds and I was able to lift it up and into the floor space. I choose to do this as I know this machine may have water in it an I did not want to tip it on the side and risk the water running out and into the trunk of my car. If you have trouble lifting 40 lbs or want to run the risk of water spilling out, consider getting a friend and and SUV that will support the transport of the unit in an upright position.
The rental of the RDP could be executed on line or showing up at your Home Depot rental tool counter. In my town of Fairfax, VA, the team at the rental tool counter is incredibly helpful and I was able to pick one up early on a Saturday morning. Upon pickup, take the handheld attachments as you will need those for stairs or if you want to wash the carpets in your car. In the rental department you will also purchase the cleaning solution and if you don’t have it, get a bucket. A bucket is a KEY component for this project. If you are doing this in a cool time of year, consider picking up an industrial fan at the rental counter as well.
Upon arrival at your home, set the unit outside and clean it with your favorite cleaning products. The wheels need to be cleaned and the brush under the unit needs cleaning as well. You do not want to bring this into your house without a comprehensive wipe down before using it.
Having completed the wipe down of the unit, bring it inside and start your vacuuming with your regular home vacuum. The unit is not designed for heavy duty vacuuming. During the vacuum activities, move all the furniture and moveable objects out of the way. You want to create rooms that are easy to work through.
Start the cleaning with the upstairs rooms as appropriate. To carry the unit upstairs, remove the white water waste tank, that takes off five pounds and use the “handle” that is built into the front of the unit to carry it upstairs.
Once the unit is upstairs, use the bathtub or a utility sink and generate the hot tap water to add to the bucket. The unit states that it takes 3.5 Gallons of Water. Once the bucket is full of water, add in the Rug Doctor cleaning solution. The recommendation is 1.75 cups. In my experience, when I added the solution first and then the water, it created tremendous suds. Carry the bucket to the machine and pour it into the bottom filter. The unit is full when the water reaches halfway up the screen. In my experience, I only covered 25% of the screen. Once the water has been added, insert the waste water tank and plug in the unit.
To start your cleaning activities, consider your footwear. If you are wearing socks, you are going to get wet. Consider wearing a clean pair of waterproof shoes from the beach. Outfitted with your favorite footwear, review the room and determine the path you will take to “back out” of the room. Obviously don’t start at the entrance and work your way to the corner!
Now with the machine in front of you, plug it in and push the black switch foward to activate the machine. Push the button to activate the cleaning soltuion and start dragging the machine backwards. (Note the sound of the machine when you start, because the only way you will know that it runs out of water is the “Grinding” sounds it will make to indicate it is empty. ) The dragging of the machine will continue until it is empty. Once it is empty you will use your bucket and refill it.
During the course of use, if you feel your feet are getting wet, the waste disposal tank is likely full. Empty the tank and assess the water you dump out. The waste tank should be emptied into the toilet. It will be full of hair and junk.
For the use of the handheld attachment, you will unplug the metal connector to the machine and plug in the connector from the handheld connector. The tube will require disconnecting the tube from the machine and attaching the handheld tube. Consider taking a demo with the team at Home Depot on the handheld attachment prior to departure. The handheld attachment is operated by pushing the switch toward you and is also great for cleaning the carpets in your car.
Upon completing your time with the Rug Doctor Pro, take it outside and elevate it. Their will be a drain hose that you can use to empty the water from the tank that you did not use.
The Rug Doctor Pro is a great way to know that you have cleaned your carpets and renting it from Home Depot minimizes your investment in a commercial type machine.