
4
Cleaning With Your Rug Doctor Machine And Products
Read all instructions completely before you begin. To ensure satisfactory results, test
carpets and upholstery for colourfastness. Wet an inconspicuous area with a small amount
of cleaning solution. After 1–2 minutes, blot with a white paper towel and check for colour
transfer. Follow these additional guidelines when cleaning with your Rug Doctor machine:
• Rug Doctor machines and Rug Doctor cleaning products are safe for most carpets. However, you risk damage
to carpets and hard oor surfaces not intended for a water extraction method of cleaning. Do not use the Rug Doctor
machine or cleaning products on natural bre oriental rugs (silk or wool), hand-loomed wool rugs, braided rugs,
sisal or jute carpets; hardwood or laminate ooring. Some stains require professional treatment. Use luke warm
water when cleaning wool, wool blends or delicate bres.
• Rug Doctor machines and Rug Doctor cleaning products are safe for many fabrics, even delicate bres. However, you
risk damage to fabrics not intended for a water extraction method of cleaning. Do not use Rug Doctor machines or
products to clean fabrics with cleaning codes S or X, silk, Haitian cotton, velour, brushed corduroy, leather or non-
colourfast fabrics, mattresses or mattress toppers made with memory foam, foam or goose down. Some stains
like chewing gum will require professional treatment. Use luke warm water when cleaning wool, wool blends or
delicate bres.
• The machine was designed for use on carpet and upholstery applications in accordance with the instructions and
recommendations in this manual.
• Do NOT put bleach, dye or products other than Rug Doctor cleaners in this machine. Use of inappropriate products
may cause this machine to malfunction and may result in carpet or machine damage.
• Always use Rug Doctor Anti-Foam in the upper recovery tank to prevent excess foaming in the upper recovery tank
when cleaning upholstery. Always use Rug Doctor Upholstery Cleaner when cleaning fabrics and upholstery. Foam
should never be allowed to build up in the recovery tank and then be sucked up through the dome lter into the
machine. Damage to the carpet and/or vacuum motor could result.
• To reduce the risk of Fire and Electric shock due to internal component damage, use only Rug Doctor®
cleaning products intended for use with this appliance. See the Cleaning Product section of this manual.
• Avoid picking up hard or sharp objects with the carpet cleaning machine. They may damage the machine. Do not
use the machine for dry vacuuming because this machine does not have a ne dust lter. Dry vacuuming damages the
vacuum motor.
• Do not use the machine to vacuum large quantities of liquid, such as a ooded basement or large spill. This machine is
not equipped with an automatic overow shutoff.
• To avoid damage, do not place the machine or hand tool on hardwood or laminate ooring or allow any solution or
overspray to contact such ooring.
• To avoid pump damage, do not continue to press the spray (pump) button when the solution tank is empty.
Read instructions carefully. Rug Doctor is not responsible for damage due to misuse of this machine.
Carpet Cleaning Tips For Best Results
• Treating difcult spots. Rug Doctor machines are designed to deep clean and extract in one cleaning pass. Your best
choice for cleaning difcult spots, stains or trafc areas is to use Rug Doctor’s specially formulated products: Trafc
Lane Cleaner, Spot & Stain Remover, Urine Eliminator, Odour Remover and Red Stain Remover.
• Avoid over-wetting your carpet. Don’t go over a heavily-soiled spot more than 2 times. Berber, Multi-Level or Looped
carpets retain more liquid. For these types of carpets, DO NOT repeat cleaning passes. If additional cleaning is desired,
allow carpets to dry before attempting to reclean heavily-soiled areas. Because they retain more liquid, Berber carpets
that are overwet can experience “wick up” of soils or spills very deeply embedded in the carpet or backing. If you
experience this problem, allow area to dry completely then clean again using single, quick passes (1-2 feet per second).
• Cleaning Berber carpet; You can use your Rug Doctor machine to clean Berber carpet. For best results, make only
one pass while depressing the thumb switch to release solution. Make a second pass over the same area without
pressing the spray switch so that you are only vacuuming the liquid. Make sure the vacuum slot at the front bottom
edge of the machine is snug against the carpet.
• Overlap passes slightly to cover all areas. IMPORTANT: When pressing the red button, keep machine moving so
vibrating brush does not agitate in one place.
• Liquid recovery. You should recover 70 - 80% of the liquid used depending on your carpet type. With Berber carpet, you
may recover a little less liquid.
• Avoid excess foam in the recovery tank which can be expelled through the machine and may affect your carpet. If
foaming occurs, add 50ml of Rug Doctor Anti-Foam to recovery tank.
• If you replace furniture before the carpet is completely dry, place aluminum foil under furniture legs to prevent wood
dye or rust stains. Leave aluminum foil under furniture legs until carpet is completely dry.
• For faster drying, ventilate area. Open doors and windows. Place fans pointing downwards onto the carpet. Turn on
heat in damp or cold weather. Turn on air conditioner in humid or hot weather. This is highly recommended when
cleaning Berber carpets.