Everything You Need to Know About Renting Carpet Cleaners at Walmart
As an experienced ecommerce entrepreneur, I know how important it is to keep your home looking its best. Prospective customers may visit your home office or storage facilities, so maintaining clean carpets can directly impact your business success. This guide will provide you with absolutely everything you need to know about renting carpet cleaners from Walmart. I‘ll share tips from my decade of experience in retail and ecommerce to help you get the most out of Walmart‘s rental service.
Overview of the Walmart Carpet Cleaner Rental Service
Walmart provides carpet cleaner rentals through an in-store partnership with Rug Doctor across over 1900 US store locations. Here are the key details:
- Rental Kiosks: Located near customer service desks, these self-serve kiosks allow you to rent cleaners 24/7.
- Rental Rates: $29.99 per day or $39.99 for 48 hours. Taxes and fees additional.
- Cleaning Solutions: Not included with rental. Must be purchased separately.
- Models Offered: Rug Doctor Mighty Pro, Wide Track, Pro Portable, X3, and Pro Deep are commonly available.
I‘ll provide specific guidance later in this article on finding a rental location, navigating the rental process, utilizing cleaning solutions effectively, and choosing the right Rug Doctor model for your needs.
Why Rent From Walmart?
As a busy entrepreneur, renting a carpet cleaner from Walmart offers three major benefits:
Convenience: With over 1900 participating locations across the US, there‘s likely a Walmart with Rug Doctor rental kiosks near you. The self-service kiosks allow you to rent any time of day without having to interact with store staff.
Affordability: At just $29.99 for 24 hours, Walmart offers one of the most cost-effective rental options compared to renting from other retailers or dedicated rental companies.
High-Quality Machines: Rug Doctor cleaners are among the top-rated and most powerful units available. With the latest models, you‘ll get professional-grade cleaning results.
How to Find a Walmart Location With Rental Kiosks
The first step is locating a Walmart store in your area that offers the Rug Doctor carpet cleaner rentals. Here are two easy ways to find participating locations:
1. Rug Doctor‘s Rental Locator Tool
Go to Rug Doctor‘s website and enter your zip code. This will display Walmart locations near you with rental kiosks along with details on available models.
2. Call your Local Walmart Store
Find your nearest Walmart‘s customer service phone number online or in their app. Call and simply ask if they offer Rug Doctor carpet cleaner rentals.
To maximize convenience, I recommend identifying 2-3 locations close to home and office. Having multiple rental points nearby provides backup options.
Step-by-Step Rental Process at Walmart
Once you‘ve found a participating Walmart, renting a Rug Doctor cleaner using the self-service kiosks is quick and straightforward:
Locate the Rug Doctor Kiosk near the front of the store, usually near customer service.
Select the rental timeframe (24 hours or 48 hours).
Choose your Rug Doctor machine (see models comparison below).
Enter your personal details (name, address, phone number, email).
Select payment method and pay at the kiosk.
Retrieve your rented carpet cleaner from the unlocked kiosk.
Tips for Easier Carpet Cleaning
As an ecommerce business owner, I know you want to spend as little time as possible cleaning so you can focus on your business. Here are four useful tips:
Pre-treat stains with a targeted stain remover before cleaning for best results removing set-in and tough stains. Walmart sells effective and affordable options from brands like Resolve and OxiClean.
Book 48 hours for larger homes or if tackling multiple rooms to avoid time pressure. The extra day is only $10 more.
Buy extra cleaning solution so you don‘t run out mid-job. Plan for at least 1-2 gallons for a thorough whole-home carpet clean.
Move furniture strategically to give carpets plenty of time to completely dry before putting furniture back. Target 48 hours of drying time for soaked carpets.
Choosing the Right Rug Doctor Model
One major advantage of renting from Walmart is access to Rug Doctor‘s high-quality carpet cleaners. They offer several models suited for various cleaning needs:
Rug Doctor Mighty Pro
- Best for: Regular maintenance cleaning, small homes under 1,500 sq ft.
- Key Features: Compact size, folds 30% smaller, 10 amp motor
Rug Doctor Wide Track
- Best for: Wall-to-wall carpets, large rooms, stairs
- Key Features: 75% wider tracks than standard cleaners, dual cross brushes
Rug Doctor Pro Portable
- Best for: Portability, cars, RVs, stairs
- Key Features: Weighs only 18 lbs, small/compact, easy to transport
Rug Doctor X3
- Best for: Heavy duty cleaning for high traffic areas
- Key Features: 75% more suction, dual vibrating brush bars
Rug Doctor Pro Deep
- Best for: Stubborn stains, deep cleaning, commercial-grade
- Key Features: 75% more fluid extraction, fastest drying times
Recommended Cleaning Solutions
To get professional-quality cleaning results, I highly recommend using Rug Doctor‘s own cleaning solutions designed specifically for their machines.
Some top options include:
- Rug Doctor Oxy Steam Cleaner – Best all-purpose cleaner for most carpets
- Rug Doctor Pet Formula – Removes tough pet stains and odors
- Rug Doctor Odor Remover – Eliminates musty smells and freshens carpet
- Rug Doctor Red Color Brightener – Brings back vibrancy in red carpets
Off-brand and DIY solutions are cheaper but may lead to lackluster results. Invest in quality solutions so you only have to clean once.
Buying vs. Renting: Pros and Cons
Buying | Renting | |
---|---|---|
Upfront Cost | $150-$550 purchase price | $29.99-$39.99 per rental |
Ongoing Costs | Maintenance, repairs | None beyond rental fees |
Convenience | Have anytime but need to store | Some travel required but no storage |
Frequency of Use | Best for regular cleaning needs | Ideal for occasional deeper cleaning |
My recommendation: Purchase your own machine if you‘ll use it more than 10 times per year. Rent if you only need occasional deeper cleaning.
Returning Rentals and Avoiding Late Fees
Avoid paying extra late fees by carefully tracking your rental period and returning carpet cleaners on time:
Return to any Walmart Rug Doctor kiosk, doesn‘t have to be original rental location.
For 24 hour rentals, return by same time next day. For 48 hour rentals, return by same time 2 days later.
You will be charged a late fee equal to one day‘s rental even if just a few hours late.
Keep your rental receipt and take a photo of the kiosk screen when returning to have proof if charged incorrectly.
Answering Common Carpet Cleaner Rental Questions
Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about renting carpet cleaners from Walmart:
Do I need to purchase cleaning solutions from Walmart or can I use my own?
You can use your own solutions, but Rug Doctor products sold at Walmart are specially formulated for optimal results. I recommend them.
What is the average rental cost for 24 hours?
The base 24 hour rate is $29.99. Expect to pay $35-$40 after taxes and fees. 48 hour rental is $39.99 base price.
Can I rent a carpet cleaner from one Walmart location and return it to another?
Yes, you can return rentals to any Walmart with a Rug Doctor kiosk. It does not have to be the original rental location.
What if I need the carpet cleaner for longer than 48 hours?
Unfortunately Walmart only offers 24 and 48 hour rental periods. If you need a cleaner longer term, consider buying your own or renting from a dedicated cleaner rental company.
Are there any other cleaning machines offered for rental besides carpet cleaners?
No, Walmart only rents carpet cleaners, not any other types of cleaning machines. You can buy other cleaning tools like steam mops and vacuums at Walmart.
Key Takeaways
- Convenient self-service kiosks make Walmart carpet cleaner rental a breeze
- Affordable rates of just $29.99 per day or $39.99 for 48 hours
- Access to Rug Doctor‘s powerful, top-rated cleaners
- Find locations using the Rug Doctor website or calling local stores
- Avoid late fees by carefully tracking and minding return times
- Purchase cleaning solutions to get the best results from your rental
I hope this comprehensive guide gives you all the details needed to effectively rent carpet cleaners from Walmart. Let me know if you have any other questions! I‘m always happy to share advice to help a fellow business owner.