Renting a carpet cleaner can seem like a convenient and affordable way to deep clean your carpets, but there are some potential downsides to consider before grabbing one from your local retail store. Here’s an overview of the main cons associated with renting versus buying your own carpet cleaner.
Page Contents
- 1 High rental costs over time
- 2 Availability and convenience
- 3 Limited cleaning time
- 4 Limited selection of models
- 5 Unfamiliar machine
- 6 Questionable condition
- 7 Messy tanks
- 8 Risk of allergies or asthma
- 9 No special cleaning solutions
- 10 Can’t treat carpets for protection
- 11 No deep cleaning tools
- 12 No professional upholstery cleaning
- 13 Can’t tackle pet messes immediately
- 14 Too heavy to haul upstairs
- 15 Can’t clean at your own pace
- 16 No cleaning of stairs
- 17 Can’t clean at optimal times
- 18 No cleaning of vehicles
- 19 Can’t do spot cleaning
- 20 No pre-treatment of stains
- 21 Can’t clean at full power
- 22 No specialized cleaning options
High rental costs over time
The main potential downside of renting a carpet cleaner is that it can end up being more expensive in the long run compared to buying your own. Here’s a look at some typical rental costs:
- Retail store rental: $30-$50 per day
- Rug Doctor rental: $30-$35 per day
- Professional carpet cleaning service: $.20-$.40 per sq. ft
If you rent a carpet cleaner just once or twice a year, the costs seem reasonable. However, if you have wall-to-wall carpeting that needs frequent deep cleaning, those daily rental fees can really add up over time. For example, renting a carpet cleaner 5 times a year at $30 per rental would cost $150 annually. After just a few years, you’d end up paying more than you would for buying your own quality carpet cleaner.
Availability and convenience
Rented carpet cleaners are not always readily available when you need them. Retail stores and rental companies typically have a limited number of units, so you may not be able to rent one on short notice. Likewise, you have to reserve a timeslot that fits your schedule and then drive to the physical rental location when it opens to pick up the unit. This restricts the freedom to clean your carpets on your own spontaneous timeline.
In contrast, owning your own carpet cleaner means you have access whenever you want or need it. You don’t have to reserve a machine or coordinate around a rental company’s operating hours. For unexpected carpet stains or cleaning emergencies, you’ll appreciate having a cleaner ready in your home.
Limited cleaning time
Most rental carpet cleaners are designed for quick, convenient cleaning jobs of just a room or two. Here are some typical rental time allowances:
| Rental Company | Rental Time Limit |
|---|---|
| Retail stores | 4-24 hours |
| Rug Doctor | 24 hours |
| Professional carpet cleaning service | No limit |
If you have wall-to-wall carpeting throughout a large home with multiple rooms, the time constraints of a rental unit may not allow you to deep clean all your carpets in one session. You may need to rent the unit multiple times, which again increases your costs compared to buying your own machine.
Limited selection of models
Retail stores and rental companies typically stock just 1-2 carpet cleaner models from leading brands like Hoover and Rug Doctor. You’re limited to choosing from just those few options.
In contrast, buying your own carpet cleaner allows you to research and select from the full range of models on the market. You can choose a machine with the specific features, cleaning power, tank capacity, accessories, and performance attributes that match your needs and preferences.
Unfamiliar machine
When you rent a carpet cleaner, you’re using an unfamiliar machine each time. You have to quickly learn how that specific model works, which wastes cleaning time reading manuals and figuring out the controls. When using your own carpet cleaner, you become intimately familiar with that device. You’ll operate it much quicker and more efficiently.
Questionable condition
Rented carpet cleaners have endured tough use from numerous different customers over many years. They may be worn out or on the verge of breaking down. Issues you may encounter with a rented cleaner include:
- Faulty hoses, attachments or accessories
- Weak suction power due to clogged filters or hoses
- Leaking tanks
- Loose parts
- Broken handles or wheels
Such issues can hinder cleaning performance and efficiency. With your own newer carpet cleaner, you can keep it maintained properly for optimal condition.
Messy tanks
The clean and dirty water tanks on rented carpet cleaners are unlikely to be sparkling clean when you receive the unit. Previous customers may have spilled grime and left residue behind. The thought of dunking your unit’s tanks in those conditions can be unappealing and unhygienic.
Risk of allergies or asthma
Sensitive individuals may react negatively to any residues left in a rented carpet cleaner by previous users. The remnants of cleaning solutions, dirt, dust mites, pollen, pet dander or cigarette smoke could trigger allergic reactions or asthma symptoms in sensitive people.
No special cleaning solutions
When you rent a basic carpet cleaner, you typically just receive the machine alone without any cleaning products or solutions. You’ll have to separately purchase a general rug cleaning solution at the retail store. If you want a special solution formulated for pet stains or odor removal, you’ll likely have to buy it elsewhere.
Buying your own carpet cleaner allows you to select compatible cleaning solutions for your specific needs. This includes specialized formulas for challenges like pet stains, along with solutions designed to work optimally with your model.
Can’t treat carpets for protection
Many rental carpet cleaners don’t have onboard tanks or dispensers for applying protective carpet treatments. These protective formulas contain ingredients like anti-soiling agents, dirt repellants and deodorizers that keep carpets cleaner longer.
With your own machine that has treatment application features, you can give your freshly cleaned carpets an added layer of ongoing protection between deep cleanings.
No deep cleaning tools
Basic rental carpet cleaners typically include just a simple attachment for cleaning carpet surfaces. They often lack more advanced deep cleaning tools you really need to draw out embedded dirt from high pile carpets or scrub heavily soiled areas.
By owning your own full-featured cleaner, you can utilize powerful deep cleaning brushes, specialty hand tools and stain removers to keep carpets looking their absolute best.
No professional upholstery cleaning
Most rental carpet cleaners are designed only for cleaning floor carpeting. They lack the attachments and accessories needed for effectively deep cleaning upholstery like sofas, chairs and auto interiors. To properly clean those items, you’d need to hire professional upholstery cleaning at added cost.
In contrast, buying a high-end multi-purpose cleaner gives you professional-quality upholstery cleaning capabilities in addition to carpets. This allows you to keep all your fabrics clean and extend their lifespan.
Can’t tackle pet messes immediately
When a pet has an accident on your carpet, you need to be able to clean it up immediately before odors and stains set in. But if you don’t have your own cleaner, you’d have to wait to rent a unit or call in a professional service. In the meantime, the mess gets worse.
Having your own carpet cleaner allows you to swiftly treat pet stains and odors on the spot for best results.
Too heavy to haul upstairs
Large rental carpet cleaning units can weigh 30 lbs or more, especially when filled with water. These bulky machines can be unwieldy and difficult to maneuver up and down stairs. You may strain yourself trying to haul a rented cleaner between floors.
With a lighter carpet cleaner you own, you can more easily use it on all floor levels without hurting yourself.
Can’t clean at your own pace
When renting a carpet cleaner, you’re pressed for time due to limits on rental periods. This forces you to rush through cleaning your carpets, which can result in haphazard performance. When the rental period ends, you have to stop and haul the unit back to the rental location.
Owning your own cleaner allows you to clean carpets carefully and methodically on your own schedule. You can work at a measured pace for optimal results without time constraints.
No cleaning of stairs
Most rental carpet cleaners lack the appropriate attachments to effectively clean carpeting on staircases. The machines are often too large, bulky and awkward to maneuver on stairs as well.
With your own high-performance cleaner that’s optimized for stairs, you can easily deep clean your entire carpeted home including stairs. Specialized hand tools and attachments make staircase cleaning a breeze.
Can’t clean at optimal times
Because rental machines need to be picked up and returned during normal business hours, you can’t clean carpets at times that may work best for your schedule or household. You may prefer to deep clean carpets very early in the morning before your family wakes up, for instance, but not be able to with a rental.
Buying your own carpet cleaner allows you to clean whenever is most convenient for your home and family.
No cleaning of vehicles
Basic rented carpet cleaners lack the features and adaptable hoses required to deep clean vehicle interiors and upholstery. You’d need to pay an auto detailing service for interior cleaning.
Many home carpet cleaners you purchase, however, include adaptable hoses and attachments for vehicle cleaning. You can thoroughly clean your car’s carpets, seats, floor mats and more.
Can’t do spot cleaning
When you have an isolated spill, stain or accident on your carpet, rented cleaners aren’t very practical. You’d need to reserve a machine, pick it up and thoroughly clean a large area just to treat a small spot.
With your own portable spot cleaner, you can conveniently and cost-effectively treat localized stains as needed without hassle.
No pre-treatment of stains
Rented carpet cleaners don’t include specialized pre-treatment solutions and brushes for dissolving stains prior to the main cleaning. But pre-treatment is key for fully removing many types of stubborn stains.
Buying your own cleaner allows you to pre-treat pesky spots and stains for maximum stain removal effectiveness.
Can’t clean at full power
Retail stores intentionally limit the power settings on rental units to prevent possible damage from overzealous users. But this prevents you from using the machine’s full cleaning capabilities on really dirty carpets.
When you own the carpet cleaner yourself, you can crank it up to maximum suction power when needed to extract deep, ground-in dirt.
No specialized cleaning options
Basic rented carpet cleaners are designed for simple overall carpet cleaning and lack advanced options. They may not have settings for gentle cleaning of delicate rugs or deep scrubbing of heavily trafficked high pile carpet.
Higher-end carpet cleaners you purchase often include diverse specialized cleaning options and modes so you can tailor the cleaning process to the needs of different carpeting.
Conclusion
While renting a carpet cleaner can provide an affordable and convenient cleaning option once in awhile, owning your own machine offers significant advantages for frequent carpet cleaning needs. Purchasing your own high-quality carpet cleaner allows you to clean on your own schedule, tackle pet stains immediately, deep clean your entire home including stairs and vehicles, utilize specialized cleaning features and solutions, and ultimately save money compared to accumulated rental costs over time. Considering these key pros and cons will help determine whether occasional rental or purchase of your own machine is the better choice for your household.