How to Use Products Other Than Rug Doctor in a Carpet Cleaning Machine

The Rug Doctor is a commercial-grade carpet cleaning machine that can be rented or even purchased at many grocery stores, hardware stores and home repair stores. The Rug Doctor Company recommends use of its own brand-name cleaning formulas for use in the carpet cleaner and sells the cleaning formula online and in many stores, as well as in combination with the carpet cleaner rental. However, it is possible to use other cleaning products in a Rug Doctor machine, as long as the cleaning products are compatible with water-extraction cleaning.

• 1

  Choose a water-extraction carpet cleaning solution for use with the Rug Doctor machine. Alternatively, create your own cleaning mixture at home. One such cleaning formula uses one part white vinegar to 10 parts hot water.

• 2

  Pour the desired cleaning mixture into the lower cleaning tank on the Rug Doctor. The tank is full when at least half of the filter screen is covered. Set the upper tank back on the machine and plug in the Rug Doctor. Press the trigger on the handle to dispense the cleaning solution and move the carpet cleaner back and forth in a straight line over the surface to be cleaned.

• 3

  Turn off and unplug the Rug Doctor when you're finished. Remove and empty the top tank, and then plug the machine back in. Turn the switch to "Upholstery/Hand Tool" and press the trigger to dispense the remaining cleaning solution out of the lower tank. When this process is complete, turn off the machine, unplug it and remove the lower tank.

• 4

  Rinse the tank well with water until no cleaning formula smell remains and set it aside to dry. Replace both tanks in the machine prior to returning the machine to the rental location.