If your carpets are looking a little dingy and worn, a thorough deep cleaning can breathe new life into them. While you could hire a professional carpet cleaning service, renting your own cleaner from retailers like Safeway is a convenient and affordable DIY option.
In this detailed guide, we‘ll walk through everything you need to know about renting a carpet cleaner from Safeway. You‘ll learn how the rental process works, what popular models are available, tips for operating the units, how much it costs, and much more. Let‘s get started!
Overview of Safeway‘s Carpet Cleaner Rental Program
Many Safeway locations across the U.S. offer carpet cleaner rentals right at the customer service desk. No need to schedule an appointment weeks in advance – just swing by your local store and check on availability!
Through a partnership with Rug Doctor, a trusted brand in carpet cleaning machines, Safeway provides three heavy-duty cleaner models for rent:
- Pro Deep Cleaner
- Pro Portable Detailer
- X3 Carpet Cleaner
These units deep clean by using strong suction to pull up dirt, dust, oils, and allergens embedded in the carpet fibers. Safeway‘s rental fleet is maintained well and replaced regularly. With some basic guidance, renting one of their carpet cleaners is a cinch.
Below we‘ll walk through what to expect when renting a carpet cleaner from Safeway, from reserving your unit to returning it hassle-free.
Step-by-Step Guide to Renting From Safeway
Renting a carpet cleaner from your neighborhood Safeway store takes just a few minutes. Here‘s an easy 6 step process:
1. Call ahead to check availability
Especially on weekends, Safeway‘s inventory of rental carpet cleaners may be fully booked. Give your local store a quick call and ask at the customer service desk if any units are available on the date needed.
Fridays and Saturdays tend to be busiest, so consider renting midweek if you have a flexible schedule. If reserved in advance, many stores will hold a unit for you.
2. Visit the store and provide valid photo ID
Once you‘ve confirmed availability, head to Safeway‘s customer service desk in person. Let the associate know you‘d like to rent a carpet cleaner.
You‘ll need to present valid government-issued photo ID such as a driver‘s license, passport, military ID, or state-issued ID card. Student IDs and other unofficial IDs aren‘t accepted.
3. Select your rental period
Safeway offers flexible rental periods of 4 hours, 24 hours, or 48 hours. Pricing ranges from $20-$45 depending on the model and rental duration.
Consider how many rooms or square feet you need to clean, and give yourself ample time. For light surface cleaning, a 4-8 hour rental may suffice. For deep cleaning an entire house, opt for 24-48 hours.
4. Pay with a major credit or debit card
To rent a Safeway carpet cleaner, you must pay with a credit or debit card – cash or checks are not accepted. This allows them to charge any damages or late fees if needed.
Provide your card details upfront so the rental fee can be processed before you walk out with the unit. The associate will also take down your name, address, phone number, and email for their records.
5. Pick up the rental unit
An associate will retrieve your rented cleaner from the storage area along with any cleaning solutions or accessories you‘ve paid for. Take a moment to inspect the unit before leaving the store.
The associate can give you a quick overview of how to use the machine and point out the included instructions manual. Load up the cleaner in your vehicle carefully.
6. Clean those carpets!
Take the rental unit home (or directly to the space you‘ll be cleaning) and get to work on those filthy floors! Make sure to return the unit on time, empty and clean, to avoid fees.
And that‘s all there is to it! Safeway aims to make renting a carpet cleaner quick, affordable, and hassle-free. Their Rug Doctor models provide professional cleaning results without the pro price tag.
Pricing Breakdown for Safeway Rentals
Here‘s a pricing breakdown for Safeway‘s three rental carpet cleaner models and durations:
| Model | 4 Hour Rental | 24 Hour Rental | 48 Hour Rental |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pro Deep Cleaner | N/A | $35 | $45 |
| Pro Portable Detailer | $20 | $25 | $35 |
| X3 Carpet Cleaner | N/A | $30 | $40 |
As you can see, pricing is very reasonable, especially for larger units like the Pro Deep Cleaner. Additional cleaning solutions and accessories will cost extra – usually around $5-10 each.
According to Safeway store associates I spoke with, these prices tend to be consistent across locations. However, it‘s a good idea to call your local store and verify rates before visiting.
Pro tip: For longer rentals, you can often save 10-20% by reserving in advance or picking up mid-week!
Key Differences Between Safeway‘s Rental Models
Safeway offers three Rug Doctor cleaner models to choose from. But what‘s the difference between them? Here‘s an overview of what each unit is best suited for:
Pro Deep Cleaner
- Best for: Whole home carpet cleaning, large spaces, heavy stains
- Tank capacity: 4 gallons clean/4 gallons dirty
- Power: 1060 watts
With its large tanks and robust suction, the Pro Deep Cleaner can tackle wall-to-wall carpets and heavy traffic areas in large homes or businesses.
Pro Portable Detailer
- Best for: Small spaces, vehicles, spot stains
- Tank capacity: 1 gallon clean/1 gallon dirty
- Power: 240 watts
The most compact and lightweight option, the Pro Portable Detailer is ideal for Apartments, cars, RVs, and cleaning up pet accidents or spills.
X3 Carpet Cleaner
- Best for: Mid-sized homes, medium traffic areas
- Tank capacity: 2.5 gallons clean/2.5 gallons dirty
- Power: 600 watts
With its mid-range tank capacity and power, the X3 tackles most suburban single-family homes very effectively.
When deciding which Safeway rental model fits your needs, take into account the size of the space along with how heavily soiled your carpets are. More powerful units with larger tanks help speed up the process for bigger cleaning jobs.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Operating Safeway‘s Rental Units
While Safeway‘s rental carpet cleaners are designed to be easy and intuitive to operate, it helps to learn a few tips and tricks for getting optimal cleaning results:
1. Vacuum thoroughly first
Use your regular vacuum to pick up loose dirt and debris before introducing water to your carpets. This allows the carpet cleaner solution to penetrate deeper.
2. Pre-treat any heavy stains
For mud, wine, pet stains or other tough spots, pre-treat the area with a bit of cleaning solution 5-10 minutes before extracting with the cleaner. This helps loosen set-in grime.
3. Fill the clean water tank
Safeway sells specialized Rug Doctor cleaning formulas to fill your clean water tank with. Use hot water from your tap to dissolve the solution.
Alternatively, use plain hot water with a small amount of clear vinegar added for a chemical-free cleaning solution.
4. Clean in small sections
Work in 3‘ x 3‘ sections slowly moving backward so you don‘t step on wet carpet. Overlap passes slightly to cover all areas.
5. Empty the dirty tank as needed
Don‘t allow the dirty water tank to get too full. Empty it in the tub or outside periodically to maintain suction power.
6. Rinse with plain water
When finished cleaning an area, make a final pass with just plain hot water in the clean tank to rinse away soap residue.
Following the included instructions closely will ensure you use the Safeway rental unit properly for powerful cleaning results!
Helpful Tips for Renting Safeway‘s Carpet Cleaners
If you‘ve never rented a carpet cleaner before, keep these tips in mind:
- Inspect the unit thoroughly before leaving the store for any damage or missing parts
- Load the machine carefully into your vehicle to avoid cracks in the plastic housing
- Call the store immediately if you have any trouble operating the rental unit
- Avoid picking up or moving the unit when tanks are full of water
- Don‘t pull the unit backwards while extracting, only push forward
- Lift furniture legs up and use an attachment tool to clean edges and corners
- Open windows and use fans to speed up drying time
- Don‘t walk on carpet with bare feet or replace furniture until fully dry
- Plan your cleaning route carefully to end up back at the exit when finished
Take your time and follow all included instructions to get the most out of Safeway‘s rental carpet cleaners. Dirty water tanks can spill easily if tipped, so take care when transporting the unit.
What Accessories and Cleaning Solutions Are Available?
In addition to the basic carpet cleaner rental unit, Safeway offers a variety of add-ons:
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Upholstery tool: Attach this brush head to clean couches, chairs, car seats, and stairs. ($5-10)
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Hard surface tool: This attachment rinses and vacuums hard floors. ($5-10)
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Pet formula cleaner: Rug Doctor‘s pet stain removing formula eliminates odors. ($15-20)
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Oxy Deep Clean: Rug Doctor‘s strongest cleaner for heavy stains. ($15-20)
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Clear water rinse: A ready-to-use plain water rinse formula. ($10-15)
The right attachments and cleaning agents can make your rental much more effective for specialized cleaning needs. Upholstery tools are handy for freshening up fabric furniture. Pet and oxygenated formulas tackle tougher messes.
Safeway also sells additional equipment like handheld spot cleaners. Look for packages and bundles that provide maximum value.
What Does Professional Carpet Cleaning Cost?
While renting your own carpet cleaner from Safeway is very affordable, hiring professional cleaners offers convenience and expertise. What‘s the cost difference?
According to HomeAdvisor, professional carpet cleaning costs $189 on average nationally for a single room, and $318 for a whole house. Prices in your local area may be higher or lower.
Here‘s how Safeway rental pricing generally compares:
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Cleaning 1 bedroom (200 sq ft): Safeway rental $25-40, pro cleaning $125-150
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Cleaning 4 bedrooms (1000 sq ft): Safeway rental $35-45, pro cleaning $250-300
Of course pros have more powerful truck-mounted units and strong detergents, and handle the work for you. But a rental can be just as effective with some elbow grease!
Consider springing for a pro carpet cleaning service every 2-3 years for a thorough refresh, using DIY rentals annually in between.
When Should You Hire a Professional Instead?
While Safeway‘s rental carpet cleaners allow you to deep clean floors yourself at a fraction of the cost, there are some scenarios where calling the pros may be better:
- If you have wall-to-wall carpeting exceeding 2,000 sq ft
- Pet stains have penetrated down to the carpet backing or subfloor
- Your carpets are more than 5 years old and have never been cleaned
- You want all carpets cleaned in one day without any work
- You don‘t have transportation to get the rental unit home
For larger homes with extensive carpeting, rental units may not hold enough solution to clean it all efficiently. Severe pet soiling also requires powerful truck-mounted suction for full removal.
Professionals have the capabilities to handle bigger and tougher carpet cleaning jobs. Evaluate whether your carpets require that level of equipment and expertise before deciding.
Protecting Your Carpets Between Rentals
To maximize the time between professional services or rentals, implement these tips to keep carpets looking fresh:
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Vacuum 1-2 times per week to prevent dirt buildup. Use a model with good suction and brush agitation.
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Blot spills immediately when they occur to prevent stains. Avoid excessive rubbing.
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Clean high traffic areas more frequently. Use a portable spot cleaner monthly on stairs, hallways and entryways.
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Remove shoes when entering your home to reduce tracked-in dirt. Use doormats and runners to catch soil.
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Hire pros for heavy staining: Don‘t try to DIY clean bleaches, food coloring, wine or pet stains as they may set without the right chemicals.
With regular vacuuming plus spot cleaning as needed, you can go longer between deep cleanings. But carpet should still be extracted thoroughly at least once a year to revitalize fibers and remove allergens.
What Other Retailers Offer Carpet Cleaner Rentals?
In addition to Safeway, there are many national and regional retailers that offer in-store carpet cleaner rentals:
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Walmart: Over 3,000 stores rent Rug Doctor models comparable to Safeway.
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Target: Select locations rent Bissell Big Green machines, but availability is limited.
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The Home Depot: Some locations rent Rug Doctor cleaners, along with Bissell and Hoover models.
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Lowe‘s: Provides in-store carpet cleaner rentals through Rug Doctor across hundreds of stores.
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Albertsons: As Safeway‘s parent company, Albertsons offers similar carpet cleaner rentals.
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Fred Meyer: Rents Rug Doctor carpet cleaners in stores across the Pacific Northwest.
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Food Lion: Many Southeast locations rent carpet cleaners along with floor care machines.
Don‘t limit yourself just to big box stores either – local hardware stores, grocery cooperatives, tool rental shops, and janitorial supply companies often rent cleaners too. Shop around for the best price and unit!
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about renting a carpet cleaner from Safeway? Here are answers to some common FAQs:
How early should I reserve a rental?
For weekends or busy times, reserve 1-2 weeks out. For midweek rentals, you can often book just 1-2 days in advance.
What if I need the rental for longer? You can return anytime to extend your rental up to 7 days total. Extra fees apply past 48 hours.
Can I use my own cleaning solutions? Yes, you aren‘t required to buy Safeway‘s formulas. But they‘re optimized specifically for their machines.
Do I need to empty the dirty tank? Yes, you should empty the dirty tank before returning the unit to avoid spillage in the store.
What if my carpets aren‘t drying? Ensure you have good airflow. Fans and dehumidifiers help speed up drying time after cleaning.
What if I damage the rental unit? Any repairs needed due to improper use are your responsibility, which is why a credit card is required.
Still have additional questions? The Safeway associate can advise you further when picking up your rental.
Conclusion
Renting a carpet cleaner from Safeway provides an affordable, convenient option for deep cleaning your carpets on your schedule. With their extensive selection of Rug Doctor cleaners available at stores nationwide, you‘re sure to find the perfect rental unit.
Stop by your local Safeway today and check out the carpet cleaner rentals for yourself. Give those dingy rugs and carpets a much-needed refresh!
