Does Kroger Rent Carpet Cleaners? Your Complete Guide to Kroger‘s Rug Doctor Rentals
If you‘re a homeowner or renter with wall-to-wall carpeting, you know just how much of a challenge it can be to keep those carpets looking clean and smelling fresh. Regular vacuuming helps, but every so often, your carpets need a much deeper cleaning to remove ground-in dirt, stubborn stains, odors, and allergens. While you could hire a professional carpet cleaning service, the costs can really add up—especially if you have a larger home or need to clean your carpets multiple times per year.
Luckily, many grocery and retail stores—including Kroger—offer a more affordable solution: carpet cleaner rentals. By renting a high-powered carpet cleaning machine for a day or two, you can get your carpets looking and smelling like new again, for a fraction of what you‘d pay the pros. And you‘ll have the satisfaction of a job well done!
But does Kroger rent carpet cleaners? How much does it cost, and what do you need to know before renting? Here‘s everything you need to know about Kroger‘s carpet cleaner rental service.
Does Kroger Rent Carpet Cleaners?
Yes, most Kroger grocery stores across the U.S. rent carpet cleaning machines, so you can deep clean your carpets yourself and save money over hiring a professional cleaning service. Kroger has partnered exclusively with Rug Doctor to provide their carpet cleaner rentals.
What Types of Carpet Cleaners Does Kroger Rent?
Kroger rents out two models of Rug Doctor carpet cleaning machines:
The Rug Doctor X3 is their standard full-size upright carpet cleaning machine. It has a wide floor nozzle for cleaning large areas quickly and a rotary brush that scrubs and polishes carpet fibers for a deep down clean. The clean water tank capacity is 3.7 gallons.
The Rug Doctor Portable Spot Cleaner is a smaller, more portable machine designed for stairs, upholstery, car interiors, and spot cleaning high-traffic areas. It has a 1/2 gallon clean water tank capacity and a 5" wide nozzle with a motorized brush.
Note that Kroger does not rent steam cleaners, only these two Rug Doctor machines that use hot tap water and cleaning solution.
How Much Does it Cost to Rent a Carpet Cleaner from Kroger?
Rental prices for Rug Doctor machines at Kroger vary slightly by location, but in general you can expect to pay:
$29.99 – $34.99 to rent the full-size Rug Doctor X3 for 24 hours
$35.99 – $39.99 to rent the Rug Doctor X3 for 48 hours (2 days)
$24.99 – $27.99 to rent the portable spot cleaner for 24 hours
$34.99 – $37.99 for the portable machine for 48 hours
Some Kroger stores will charge a $35 deposit when you rent the machine, which is returned to you when you bring back the cleaner on time and undamaged. Other locations don‘t take a deposit, but will charge the total rental cost upfront.
The maximum rental time is 48 hours (2 days). So if you think you‘ll need the carpet cleaner for longer than that, it probably makes more sense to buy your own machine rather than rent.
Accessories like the upholstery tool and cleaning solutions are available to rent or purchase separately. Expect to pay around $10-$15 to buy a bottle of Rug Doctor cleaning solution at Kroger.
How Do I Rent a Carpet Cleaner from Kroger?
The rental process is simple. Just go to the customer service desk at your local Kroger and let them know you‘d like to rent a Rug Doctor. You‘ll need to provide a valid photo ID, like a driver‘s license.
Some stores allow you to call ahead and reserve a machine, which is a smart idea if you need it on a specific day. Rentals are first-come, first-served and availability varies depending on how many other people have rented machines at that time. Calling ahead will ensure a carpet cleaner is available and ready for you.
Kroger‘s customer service representatives will walk you through the rest of the quick rental process, including taking your deposit or payment, explaining their policies, and showing you how to use the machine if needed. You‘ll sign an agreement and be on your way with your rented Rug Doctor in just a few minutes.
To return the machine, simply bring it back to the same Kroger location before your 24 or 48 hour rental period is up. Be sure to empty and rinse out the dirty water tanks. The store associate will check that the machine is in good condition and then refund your deposit or complete the return.
If you return the cleaner late, expect to pay an extra fee of around $10-$15 for each additional day. However, these late charges are sometimes waived if you‘re only a little late and at the discretion of the store manager.
Tips for Getting the Best Results with a Rented Carpet Cleaner
While renting a Rug Doctor from Kroger is a great affordable alternative to professional carpet cleaning, the results you get still depend on using the right techniques. Here are some tips:
Vacuum thoroughly first. You want to suck up as much dry dirt and debris as possible before shampooing. This will make the wet cleaning process more effective and efficient.
Use the right cleaning solutions. Only use Rug Doctor brand or carpet cleaner-approved detergents in the machine to avoid excess suds or damaging the components. Hot water alone isn‘t enough to tackle tough stains and ground-in dirt.
Take your time and do multiple slow passes over each area of carpet. Rushing will produce sub-par results. Overlap your passes slightly to ensure you don‘t miss a spot.
Focus extra attention on high-traffic and heavily soiled areas. Use the hose/upholstery tool if needed for stairs, edges, or spot treating.
Don‘t overwet the carpet. Squeeze the trigger on the forward push and release it on the backward pull motion. Use the suction to extract as much moisture as you can.
Open windows and run fans to speed up carpet drying time after cleaning. Wait until carpets are fully dry to replace furniture and walk on them again.
With the proper techniques, you should be amazed at how well a rented Rug Doctor can revitalize an old, dingy carpet after just one use! Plus you‘ll have the pride of completing this money-saving DIY project on your own.
How Often Should You Clean Your Carpets?
Most carpet manufacturers and cleaning experts recommend having your carpets professionally deep cleaned every 12-18 months. But if you have a busy household with kids, pets, or heavy foot traffic, you‘ll likely need to clean them more frequently—every 4-6 months. More frequent cleanings will keep your carpets looking their best and can help extend their lifespan too.
Of course, if you have any significant stains, odors, or water damage to your carpet, you‘ll want to address those right away rather than waiting for your next scheduled cleaning. The longer a stain sits, the harder it will be to fully remove.
Many homeowners find that renting a carpet cleaner from Kroger once or twice a year for maintenance, then hiring a professional service every 1-2 years for an extra deep clean, provides the ideal balance of cost savings and carpet care.
How Does Kroger‘s Rug Doctor Rental Program Compare to Other Options?
Kroger is far from the only place you can rent a carpet cleaning machine. Their main competitors in this space are other big box stores like Walmart, Home Depot, Lowe‘s and some local grocers and hardware stores. In general, Kroger‘s rental prices for Rug Doctor machines are right in line with other retailers, usually within a few bucks.
However, one advantage of renting from Kroger compared to other stores is the extensive network of Kroger-owned grocery chains across the country. So even if you don‘t have a Kroger in your area, you may have a Dillons, Fred Meyer, Harris Teeter, King Soopers or Ralphs, all of which participate in the Rug Doctor partnership and rentals.
Another carpet cleaner rental option is through the Rug Doctor company directly. They have a network of over 35,000 rental locations across the U.S. at various retailers. You can check their website to find one close to you. However, renting directly through Rug Doctor doesn‘t really offer any benefits over renting through Kroger, as the machine models and prices are the same.
Of course, if you have a smaller home or just need to clean one room of carpet, purchasing your own inexpensive manual or spot carpet cleaner may make more sense than repeatedly renting. And if you have a very large home or especially soiled carpets, springing for a professional cleaning service once a year might be a wise investment, even with the higher cost.
The Bottom Line
Renting a carpet cleaner from Kroger is a very affordable and effective way to keep your home‘s carpets clean and fresh. At around $30 for a 24-hour rental, it‘s a small price to pay for the major difference it will make in your carpet‘s appearance. Plus you‘ll save hundreds compared to professional cleanings.
While Rug Doctor machines are available at most Kroger stores nationwide, it‘s always smart to call ahead and reserve one for the day you plan to use it. And don‘t forget to use the right cleaning solution and take your time to ensure excellent results. With regular maintenance and the occasional deeper clean, you can enjoy cleaner, healthier carpet in your home for years to come. And Kroger is here to help make that chore easier and cheaper with their convenient Rug Doctor rentals.
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