Rental Machine Cleaning Carpets Process:
Prepare Carpet for Cleaning
Rental machines and cleaning products are safe for most carpets. However, you risk damage to carpets and hard floor surfaces not intended for water extraction method cleaning. Do not use or place the Rug Doctor machine or cleaning products on: Natural fiber oriental rugs (silk or wool), hand-loomed wool rugs, braided rugs, sisal or jute carpets; hardwood or laminate floorings. Some stains require professional treatment. Use cool water when cleaning wool.
Before You Begin
1. Using a normal dry vacuum cleaner, vacuum the area you want to clean to remove loose dirt before using the Rug Doctor machine.
2. Pre-treat any special problem areas with the appropriate cleaning products.
Set Up
3. Depending on how dirty carpets are, mix 1/4 to 1/2 cup of Carpet Cleaner per gallon of hot tap water in a clean bucket. Water should not be so hot as to scald or burn skin. The tank capacity is a little over 2 gallons and the capacity is a little over 3 1/2 gallons.
4. Lower the restraining wire and remove the white upper tank.
5. Fill the LOWER tank with the cleaning solution mixture by pouring it through the white filter screen. The machine is full when liquid covers half of the filter screen.
6. If high foaming shampoos or spray-on products have previously been used on the carpet, add 1/4 to 1/2 cup of Anti-Foam to the UPPER tank, then slip the tank back in place. Seal the tank and clear dome securely by replacing restraining wire.
7. Check the back of machine to 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.
8. Plug the power cord in and position the machine.
Start Cleaning
9. 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.
10. While 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.
11. Release thumb switch 6 to 12 inches before ending pass to stop cleaning solution spray. Tilt the machine back and move forward to position it for another cleaning pass. Overlap passes 2 inches to ensure even cleaning.
12. 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.
Overlap passes slightly to cover all areas. IMPORTANT: When pressing 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.
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 Anti-Foam to UPPER tank.
The solution capacity can be very important.
If you have a large area to clean, stopping to mix another batch to refill the machine, can add alot of time to your cleaning task.
*Taken directly from a Rental Company website.
