[Plankton]

What is your opinion on these.
I have had a Rug Doctor for a while and only used it for a few jobs when I was quiet and have since just used it around the house.
How do they compare with other COMPACT machines like the Truvox.

[Lewis Newby]

It's not a professional machine, it's an amateur hire machine.  Just this morning I was quoting to clean after a rug Dr had been used, but the carpet was imo a write off, it had been over wet and delaminated around 60%of the room.

[tim handley]

Alan you need to think about something much better than a rug doctor if you really want to  go out to folks houses to clean carpets properly. Easier said than done i know, as machines cost a fair bit, but, personally i would never consider a rug doctor for anything...
if money is tight, id look for a second hand machine off one of the guys on one of the forums.................................... ask yourself, jow often do you read of any of the cleaners on here using a rug doctor??   There is a reason!!!

[maxcampbell]

What is your opinion on these.

Absolute poope, and anyone who charges someone else for using one is a numpty.

Is that a clear enough opinion?

I DID NOT USE THE WORDS POOPE OR NUMPTY, what the f*** is the matter with people.

[Plankton]

What is your opinion on these.

Absolute poope, and anyone who charges someone else for using one is a numpty.

Is that a clear enough opinion?

I DID NOT USE THE WORDS POOPE OR NUMPTY, what the f*** is the matter with people.

[Plankton]

Alan you need to think about something much better than a rug doctor if you really want to  go out to folks houses to clean carpets properly. Easier said than done i know, as machines cost a fair bit, but, personally i would never consider a rug doctor for anything...
if money is tight, id look for a second hand machine off one of the guys on one of the forums.................................... ask yourself, jow often do you read of any of the cleaners on here using a rug doctor??   There is a reason!!!

It was a couple of years ago when I bought it, at the time I was looking at the Prochem Steam pro but for £1500 I wasn't sure if it was good or just entry level.
In the end I tried the Rug Doctor as believe it or not there were people using them for jobs with access issues where the larger Prochems were to heavy. To be honest I never soaked a carpet, I took my time with the spotting and on traffic areas got out the hand attachment and some elbow grease.
My main line of work is pressure cleaning and I'll hear people say £600 machines are rubbish, you need to spend at least £2000 and they would only by from x as everyone else sells junk. Truth is a £600 pressure cleaner  WILL get the job done and if it's thought out and more time given the same result can be achieved.
With carpets I quickly realised that the Rug Doctor was never going to make money as the extra time spent wasn't viable. I've seen all the stupid comparisons of Truck mount v this etc, and I'm sure the guys with Prochems would struggle with the ridiculously dirty carpets and I'm positive anyone with sense would not waste there time cleaning them with a small machine.
It's not something I will be looking to invest in just now as I prefer working outdoors, but come the end of next summer I might rethink it.

[Tony Stewart]

In the nicest possible way the Steampro at £1500 is a good machine but you need a training course and then you will know that you need heat in the mix to clean. The machine without a heater will make it difficult and if you are charging someone to clean their carpets you need to be able to carry the clean out properly. You say that you have heard all the stupid comparisons of truck mounts v presumably portables. Why is it stupid. A truck mounted machine cleans quicker, with more heat and recovers the water about 20 times better than a rug doctor so I don't see that being stupid.
If you are a pressure washer owner then yes you can get the job done on a cheap machine, but the more expensive ones are more reliable deliver more cleaning power and get the job done more professionally. That allows you to take on bigger and more lucrative jobs. There are plenty of people out there making a bit of a living cleaning carpets, and there are people out there making a lot out of cleaning carpets - just pick where you want to go and then revisit it then next summer.

[Jonathan Evans]

On a rare occaision I have been to a house where they have used a rug doctor and the carpets have not been stuffed. As I said rare though.
As said before it is a domestic hire machine and not a professional tool.
Just take 1 aspect it sucks or wheezies up a solution from your carpet and the exhaust blows the  crud out of the back to be deposited on another bit of carpet so in reality IT DOES NOT CLEAN CARPET to a pro standard. I tend to echo Max's comment. But if your business model is like the company owned by bodge it and scarper then go for it. If you want to be a pro buy pro equipment.

[Kev Martin]

Truth is a £600 pressure cleaner  WILL get the job done and if it's thought out and more time given the same result can be achieved.

I am sorry to shatter your dream but it is not possible to buy a new QUALITY  pressure washer that is of any use for £600 either unless it is  crap.  However, you will only be convinced if you go and try one for comparison

[scott johns]

machines are a saw subject on hear tm vs portable high psi high heat many to choose from.
rug doctor has none of these why would you have a machine that someone else could hire?
there are plenty of good machines out there it all depends on your budget. get the 1 that suit your
needs as if you are on your own for example and you take on flats with no lift think how are you going
to get a really heavy machine up there try looking on the page selling equipment sometimes you
may be lucky happy cleaning

[Plankton]

Truth is a £600 pressure cleaner  WILL get the job done and if it's thought out and more time given the same result can be achieved.

I am sorry to shatter your dream but it is not possible to buy a new QUALITY  pressure washer that is of any use for £600 either unless it is  crap.  However, you will only be convinced if you go and try one for comparison

Shatter my dream! What are you on about. I don't own a £600 pw but what I'm saying is you CAN achieve the same results as a £1500 pw although it will take longer.
The comparison is stupid as its not designed for industrial cleaning. If you compared a monster truck mount with a Pro chem steam pro in a car park! The truck mount would be finished first, and all the Neanderthals would say Pro chems are crape.
No matter what topic on CIU whether its gutter cleaning, window cleaning, pressure cleaning etc people will always get on their high horse and make a big deal about something trivial.
A question I asked was how dose the compact Truvox compare with the Rug Dr. It's around the same price but from a company the has larger machines.
I've got plenty of time to research equipment and training if its something I decide to go for. I wouldn't be looking at a truck mount and I would imagine a compact machine would be needed for any access issues. The guys I've seen about estates with professional looking vans and dressed smartly having been using compact machines so I have assumed that some must be fit for purpose.

[tim handley]

Alan, can i ask what you mean by a compact machine??   do you mean a portable??

[Smurf]

Money wise 500 ish will get you a new rug doctor or something similar but a new pro portable hi spec machine is obviously going to cost alot more.

I think Alan was referring to my post regarding someone turning up with say a truck mount and he turned up with a diy type machine but I never implied he had to buy a truck mount Anyway most of the lads I know that have truck mounts carry hi spec portable machines too as well as other specialst kit  http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=198952.0

[Shaun_Ashmore]

I'm hoping you'll see my point of view obviously you'll have your own views as well. When cleaning outside areas apart from breakage or things beyond your control there's not a lot you can damage or should I say that there's less to spoil, because carpets are softer and more delicate in comparison there's more to go wrong from shrinkage, delamination, rippling, discolouration to name a few so using a better machine won't be just more efficient it will be more effective so leaving the carpet drier as well as cleaning deeper the more effective the less chances of problems, the more expensive machines and products are better because they are built with more powerful components drawing up more moisture therefore leaving carpets drier and therefore minimising risk and better products are more active in breaking soil down again using less water to get a better result so less risk for a better result.

Technique is something you need to add as well but that comes with experience and training which is money well spent.

Shaun

[Plankton]

Alan, can i ask what you mean by a compact machine??   do you mean a portable??

Hi Tim
Below is the compact machine I was referring to.
http://www.candorservices.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=254_257&product_id=1462

[Kev Martin]

Truth is a £600 pressure cleaner  WILL get the job done and if it's thought out and more time given the same result can be achieved.

I am sorry to shatter your dream but it is not possible to buy a new QUALITY  pressure washer that is of any use for £600 either unless it is  crap.  However, you will only be convinced if you go and try one for comparison

Shatter my dream! What are you on about. I don't own a £600 pw but what I'm saying is you CAN achieve the same results as a £1500 pw although it will take longer.
The comparison is stupid as its not designed for industrial cleaning. If you compared a monster truck mount with a Pro chem steam pro in a car park! The truck mount would be finished first, and all the Neanderthals would say Pro chems are crape.
No matter what topic on CIU whether its gutter cleaning, window cleaning, pressure cleaning etc people will always get on their high horse and make a big deal about something trivial.
A question I asked was how dose the compact Truvox compare with the Rug Dr. It's around the same price but from a company the has larger machines.
I've got plenty of time to research equipment and training if its something I decide to go for. I wouldn't be looking at a truck mount and I would imagine a compact machine would be needed for any access issues. The guys I've seen about estates with professional looking vans and dressed smartly having been using compact machines so I have assumed that some must be fit for purpose.

Alan

You are missing my point or I am not putting myself across clearly.  The performance and value of any machine regardless of whether it is a pressure washer, rug doctor or a coffee machine is in the work rate, reliability and  residual value!  The fact you can buy a rug doctor for around £200, plus the comparison you are trying to get opinions on the Truvox.  Three of those have been sold on E Bay in the last month for under £200 surely that says it all doesn't it? 

Kevin

[Plankton]

Below is the machine I was going to purchase about three years ago.

http://www.candorservices.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=254_257&product_id=1462
This would have required a heat exchanger at around £400.

Insurance wise I don't think I am covered for any inside work now as I haven't had any intention of working inside.
I like to have a bit of variety when I'm working so its something I can look at for next year.

[Robin Ray]

Regardless of how good a Rug Doctor may be or may not be or any other machine or product come to that, the most important thing is perceived value. How would you feel if you went out for a coffee at costa or the like, and rather than using their posh chrome coffee machine they used an old kettle and some tesco value instant coffee. Say you wanted a cake and they had a selection of Mr Kiplings. Using a Rug doctor or any other product the customer can hire or buy for themselves is perceived in the same way. Even if they cant get hold of it themselves if It looks like they could have they will feel short changed, and that's before you have done any work!

[Smurf]

Below is the machine I was going to purchase about three years ago.

http://www.candorservices.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=254_257&product_id=1462
This would have required a heat exchanger at around £400.

Insurance wise I don't think I am covered for any inside work now as I haven't had any intention of working inside.
I like to have a bit of variety when I'm working so its something I can look at for next year.

Better to save your money and buy a decent hi spec portable that will be up to the job and look the biz as that's still as bad as a rug doctor if you ask me. You will also spend more time emptying and filling that thing up whilst struggling to get carpets clean.

[Plankton]

Below is the machine I was going to purchase about three years ago.

http://www.candorservices.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=254_257&product_id=1462
This would have required a heat exchanger at around £400.

Insurance wise I don't think I am covered for any inside work now as I haven't had any intention of working inside.
I like to have a bit of variety when I'm working so its something I can look at for next year.

Better to save your money and buy a decent hi spec portable that will be up to the job and look the biz as that's still as bad as a rug doctor if you ask me. You will also spend more time emptying and filling that thing up whilst struggling to get carpets clean.

So the Prochem isn't up to much or are you referring to the Truvox.

[Plankton]

Oops that was the wrong link.

http://www.candorservices.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&path=254_256&product_id=259

Prochem??

[Norbert]

Hi Alan,
I've had my old Prochem Steampro since  the early 1980's, when I did my carpet and upholstery training with the great Ron Tilley  and it's been 100% reliable over all that time.

I stopped carpet cleaning for some years, just doing the odd carpet and bit of upholstery now and again over the years. 
This year I decided to get back into carpet and upholstery cleaning again and looked at all the new portable machines on the market, things have moved on so much now. In the end I bought the Ashby's Enforcer with in tank heater and 400PSI pump, it's a great machine for my needs and really well made.

I've all ways liked Prochem's machines, but prefer an in tank heater, which Prochem no longer do and a variable high pressure pump . As well as looking at Prochem's machines I would also look at others from Ashby's range, Alltec and Cleansmart as well.
Regards Phil

[William Roper]

Rug doctor (mod edit: please do not link)  comes with large capacity tank. It is perfect for less time spent for cleaning larger homes and open spaces. It removes dirt, water, and carpet fiber retention.

[dustee]

so does a proper machine

[Cleanevangelist]

Plankton

don't compare it with other machines. its a carpet cleaner and it is used by thousands of people up and down the UK to clean carpets that are very happy with the results. that's not to say that there are not better machines that you can buy.  when choosing a machine one of the considerations is value for money.  so from the cheapest right up to the most expensive you can find value in each one.

I am sure that you know the difference between price and value.  what gives you the best value? and lets you give your customers the best value for their money? The customer is buying a clean carpet and how you get to that can be as cheap or expensive as you like the difference is the profit you make. the more money you spend on cleaning the carpet the less you will make compared with other carpet cleaners.

It is silly to think that people choose you because of the machine you use. they choose you because of your value proposition and will recommend you of the quality of your work not the machine.

Hope that helps?

Respects

Ian Harper