Renting a carpet cleaning machine is an affordable way to ensure your secondhand finds are fresh and ready for your space. And while you have the machine, why not deep clean your existing carpets and other fabric-covered items around the house? It’s a simple way to refresh your home and give your décor a clean start!

How to Clean Second-Hand Upholstery Items

Step 1: Check The Manufacturer’s Tag

Before cleaning, check the manufacturer’s tag for specific instructions. Upholstery usually has a manufacturer’s cleanability code tag. If the fabric is coded “WS” or “W,” it’s safe to clean with water. If coded “X” or “S,” that type of fabric is unsafe to clean. Once you’ve determined it’s okay to be cleaned, always test a small hidden area of fabric on the furniture you plan to clean for colorfastness. You are ready to proceed once you’ve tested that the upholstery color won’t be affected.

Remove everything from the furniture that can come off: throw pillows, blankets, remote controls, toys and everything else. Most blankets can be washed in the washing machine, and in some cases, so can pillow covers. You’ll want to double-check the tags on these to ensure you wash them correctly. Contact the manufacturer for washing instructions if you don’t see a tag.

Next, focus on the cushions. For couches where these can be removed, they should, but they can’t just be thrown in the washing machine. That’s where Rug Doctor® by BISSELL® rental machines come in handy. Rent one of our Upright Carpet Cleaners and add on the Upholstery Tool. You’ll be cleaning upholstery like a professional for a fraction of the price. Machine rentals are available for $39.99 for 24-hr or $49.99 for 48-hr*. The Upholstery Tool rental is an additional $5.99 for 24- or 48-hr rentals. *Pricing and 48-hr availability may vary by location.

Step 2: Vacuum

Use your vacuum’s attachments to remove hair and loose dirt from all surfaces. Remember to get into the crevices where crumbs (and who knows what else) always fall. Now that the dry debris is removed let’s give your couch and chairs a good, deep clean.

Step 3: Pre-Treat Stains

Before you prepare your rental upholstery cleaner, look at your furniture and assess any glaring stains on the upholstery that need a little extra attention. Tackle those stains by pretreating them with one of our specially developed spot and pre-treat solutions. We love the enzyme power of our Pet Urine Eliminator spray if you have old pet stains or odd odors.  It removes tough pet stains and eliminators odors at the source. Our Oxy cleaners have the power of oxygen behind them and work great on colored stains, like spilled drinks and food.  They start working as soon as they make contact with stains to remove them. Spot and Stain Removers can be purchased from the rental display where you pick up the rental machine.

Step 4: Deep Clean

After pretreating the stains, grab the Rug Doctor by BISSELL rental machine and prepare it with one of our machine formulas, like our Max Advanced for the best cleaning. Attach the upholstery tool and hose. Spray the formula onto the upholstery using a slow and steady forward and backward motion. Then, go back over the same area and suck up the stains and dirt. Do this over the whole couch and chairs to clean them. Detailed instructions for specific machines can be found under here!

Step 5: Let it Dry and Enjoy!

Once you’ve cleaned the sofa and upholstered chairs, you will need to let them dry. There are a few factors that speed up or slow down dry time, so each case is different, but we recommend waiting 4-6 hours before sitting on your couch or chairs. You can also point a fan at them to help speed up the drying time. Once your furniture is dry, enjoy your freshly cleaned upholstery!

How to Clean Area Rugs and Carpets

Step 1: Vacuum

Before deep cleaning an area rug or your carpet, make sure to vacuum it first. We cannot stress enough the importance of this step. Vacuuming before you begin removes debris and surface dirt, lifts carpet fibers, and prepares the carpet for deep cleaning. This preparation can reduce the number of passes you will need to make when deep cleaning.

Step 2: Pre-Treat

Often, this step gets skipped in an effort to save time. However, if you properly pre-treat your heavily soiled areas, you can actually save time when deep cleaning and get better results. We have many types of pre-treatment formulas available to best fit your cleaning needs. Our cleaning solutions are available at our rental racks and online. Click here to browse our pre-treatment cleaning products.

Step 3: Deep Clean

Deep cleaning with our machines is easier than you think. Pick your starting point and hold down the solution button to make a cleaning pass. We recommend doing two wet cleaning passes followed by two drying passes where you do not hold the solution button. The addition of dry passes will help with drying time. Continue this process around your room, overlapping your clean areas by a few inches until you have completed the entire space. Once the carpets are cleaned, make sure to wipe down and clean the machine to prepare for your rental return process. When the carpet is fully dry, put your furniture back in place. For quicker drying time, add on our floor dryers, also available to rent from selected rental locations racks. For more information on how to use your specific rental machine, check out our how-to guides.

Scoring secondhand décor is a fun and budget-friendly way to personalize your space—but giving those items a deep clean is essential for comfort and peace of mind. Whether it’s a thrifted rug, a gently used couch, or a marketplace gem, cleaning helps remove hidden dirt, and odors so you can enjoy your finds with confidence.

Renting a carpet cleaning machine is an easy and affordable way to refresh both your new-to-you items and your existing carpets. With over 35,000 rental locations, it’s easier than ever to give your upholstery and carpet a professional-grade clean at a DIY price. Find a rental near you!

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So, what exactly can this handy tool handle? Let’s examine all the places you can use it to make dirt, stains, and pet messes disappear.

Places to clean with an Upholstery Cleaner Rental

1. Couches and Sofas
   Over time, your favorite spot on the couch collects crumbs, body oils, pet fur, and mystery marks. The upholstery tool is perfect for gently deep cleaning fabric surfaces, lifting away buildup, and bringing your furniture back to life.
2. Stairs
   Carpeted stairs are among the trickiest places to clean with a full-size machine. The upholstery tool gives you precision and power in tight corners and on vertical surfaces, making quick work of high-traffic staircases.
3. Chairs and Ottomans
   Dining chairs, armchairs, and upholstered benches are magnets for spills and smudges. The tool’s targeted spray and suction let you treat stains and freshen up seating without soaking the fabric.
4. Car Interior
   Snack stains from a long car ride? The upholstery tool cleans your car like a pro, reaching between seats, along floor mats, and across fabric interiors.
5. Pet Beds
   If you’ve got furry family members, you know their beds can get funky. The upholstery tool helps deep clean pet bedding, removing hair, odors, and stains they leave behind.
6. Area Rugs and Runners
   Smaller rugs or delicate fibers that can’t handle the full weight of a carpet cleaner are ideal candidates for the upholstery tool. You can spot treat and clean them without damage.

Pro Tips for Best Results

• Always test fabric in an inconspicuous area first (Check Step 1 of our Upholstery Cleaner Rental Guide)
• Don’t over-wet delicate materials
• Allow surfaces to fully dry before use

Check out our guide on how to clean with an Upholstery Tool.

Ready to deep clean? Find a rental near you!

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Follow these 5 upholstery cleaning steps:

Step 1: Check The Manufacturer’s Tag

Before cleaning, check the manufacturer’s tag for specific instructions. Upholstery usually has a manufacturer’s cleanability code tag. If the fabric is coded “WS” or “W,” it’s safe to clean with water. If coded “X” or “S,” that type of fabric is unsafe to clean. Once you’ve determined it’s okay to be cleaned, always test a small hidden area of fabric on the furniture you plan to clean for colorfastness. You are ready to proceed once you’ve tested that the upholstery color won’t be affected.

Remove everything from the furniture that can come off: throw pillows, blankets, remote controls, toys and everything else. Most blankets can be washed in the washing machine, and in some cases, so can pillow covers. You’ll want to double-check the tags on these to ensure you wash them correctly. Contact the manufacturer for washing instructions if you don’t see a tag.

Next, focus on the cushions. For couches where these can be removed, they should, but they can’t just be thrown in the washing machine. That’s where Rug Doctor® by BISSELL® rental machines come in handy. Rent one of our Upright Carpet Cleaners and add on the Upholstery Tool. You’ll be cleaning upholstery like a professional for a fraction of the price. Machine rentals are available for $39.99 for 24-hr or $49.99 for 48-hr*. The Upholstery Tool rental is an additional $5.99 for 24- or 48-hr rentals. *Pricing and 48-hr availability may vary by location.

Step 2: Vacuum

Use your vacuum’s attachments to remove hair and loose dirt from all surfaces. Remember to get into the crevices where crumbs (and who knows what else) always fall. Now that the dry debris is removed let’s give your couch and chairs a good, deep clean.

Step 3: Pre-Treat Stains

Before you prepare your rental upholstery cleaner, look at your furniture and assess any glaring stains on the upholstery that need a little extra attention. Tackle those stains by pretreating them with one of our specially developed spot and pre-treat solutions. We love the enzyme power of our Pet Urine Eliminator spray if you have old pet stains or odd odors.  It removes tough pet stains and eliminators odors at the source. Our Oxy cleaners have the power of oxygen behind them and work great on colored stains, like spilled drinks and food.  They start working as soon as they make contact with stains to remove them. Spot and Stain Removers can be purchased from the rental display where you pick up the rental machine.

Step 4: Deep Clean

After pretreating the stains, grab the Rug Doctor by BISSELL rental machine and prepare it with one of our machine formulas, like our Max Advanced for the best cleaning. Attach the upholstery tool and hose. Spray the formula onto the upholstery using a slow and steady forward and backward motion. Then, go back over the same area and suck up the stains and dirt. Do this over the whole couch and chairs to clean them. Detailed instructions for specific machines can be found under Support > Rental-Support.

Step 5: Let it Dry and Enjoy!

Once you’ve cleaned the sofa and upholstered chairs, you will need to let them dry. There are a few factors that speed up or slow down dry time, so each case is different, but we recommend waiting 4-6 hours before sitting on your couch or chairs. You can also point a fan at them to help speed up the drying time. Once your furniture is dry, enjoy your freshly cleaned upholstery!

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What’s the difference between cleaning a microfiber couch and other upholstered couches?

If you purchased a microfiber couch, you probably did so because you thought it would be easier to clean. You were right! Microfiber couches are made with small fibers that are dense and can hold their color better than other fabrics. Microfiber couches are ideal because they are ultra-soft and they also resist water and stains better than other upholstery fabric like cotton and linen. Because of this, microfiber couches are often the choice of families with young kids and pets. Another great, but lesser known benefit of microfiber upholstery is that less dust and other dander allergens can sink into the couch through the fabric! Although microfiber couches are more durable and stain resistant than other upholstered couches, they are not completely invulnerable to stains. They still need a good deep clean every now and then.

Which Rug Doctor® by BISSELL® deep cleaning machine should you rent to clean a microfiber couch?

If you want to clean your couch as part of a total home cleaning, we recommend renting an Upright Carpet Cleaner and adding on the Upholstery Tool. You can clean your couch and carpet with one rent. If you just want to clean your couch, we suggest a Portable Spot Cleaner. Both machines offer pro-grade power and suction. You can’t go wrong with either one!

After you rent the machine of your choice, clean your microfiber couch in five easy steps.

1. Check the manufacturer’s tag. It should have S, W, W/S or X. If there is a W or W/S on the tag it means you can use water for cleaning, and it is safe to clean your couch. If you do not see W or W/S, contact the manufacturer for cleaning instructions.
2. Vacuum your couch before cleaning. This will remove loose food particles and dirt. If there is a wet spill, use a towel to soak up excess liquid.
3. Test the cleaning solution and machine in an inconspicuous spot and allow it to dry before proceeding. If color is affected, do not use the machine and solution to clean your sofa. 
4. Use the deep cleaner by following the instructions listed on the machine. Even though microfiber couches repel water, you still need to be careful not to over-wet. Make at least 1 or 2 dry passes without depressing the solution button in between each wet pass. This will also help your couch dry faster.
5. After your couch is dry, brush it with a soft-bristle brush to restore its appearance.

Pretty simple, right? We want to see your results! Share your before and after shots with us on Facebook and Instagram! Happy cleaning!

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It is important to periodically deep clean your couch to remove stains, spots, and odors that may have resulted from so much use. We recommend a thorough deep cleaning at least once or twice yearly, more so if you have pets or kids. Adding deep cleaning your couch to your cleaning routine will help extend the life of the couch and maintain its original beauty.

Hiring a service to deep clean your couch is an option, however, it is expensive and unnecessary. Rug Doctor® by BISSELL® provides professional-grade solutions and machines that can provide the same level of clean at a fraction of the cost. Do it yourself and save those dollars for something more fun that can add style to your couch – like Pinterest-worthy seasonal throw pillows!

Follow our recommendations below to get the best deep clean for your couch.

Check the manufacturing code on your couch

• Most furniture manufacturers code their couches with the same cleaning codes and include them on the cleaning tag. Your couch is likely coded with a W (water-based cleaning okay), S (mild water-free cleaning solvents only), S/W (both water-based and water-free cleaning are okay) or X (clean only by vacuuming or light brushing, no water or cleaning agents).
• The recommendations in this article only apply to couches and upholstered furniture with W or WS cleaning codes.
• Always test cleaning solutions for color fastness in an inconspicuous area and let dry fully.  If color is affected, do not use the cleaning solution.
• If your couch has removable cushion covers, it is likely you can wash them in the washing machine. Removable cushion covers will have cleaning and drying instructions listed on a tag from the manufacturer. Follow the instructions for cleaning the removable cushion covers as listed on the tag. You can use the steps and recommendations listed in this article for the couch arms and back.

Vacuum your couch before deep cleaning

• If there are hardened or dried food or liquid stains, try to gently brush or scrape these areas to break up the stain into loose grit that can be vacuumed.
• If you have pets, use a fabric lint brush to brush the couch and remove pet fur.
• Locate the upholstery attachment for your vacuum and thoroughly vacuum your couch to remove loose soil, dirt, and debris.
• Pay extra attention to the cracks, crevices, and seams where cushions are sewn to the couch. These areas are well-known to attract hair, dirt, and food crumbs.
• Perhaps address the fact that the couch may look clean at this point, but it’s only a surface clean.

How to clean stains from fabric sofa

• Use a pre-treat or multi-purpose upholstery cleaner to pre-treat heavily soiled areas. We recommend Rug Doctor® by BISSELL® Spot + Upholstery Cleaner . It is formulated to gently remove stains, refresh fabrics and protect the area from future stains. You can purchase this at most of our 35,000 rental locations or on our website.
• If you have pets, you may want to treat urine and other biological pet stains with a pro-enzymatic formula. Rug Doctor® by BISSELL® Urine Eliminator Plus is a good choice, because it also has odor neutralizers that destroy odors and helps deter pets from re-marking.
• Generously spray heavily soiled areas with your cleaner of choice and allow the solution to penetrate.
• Using a cloth or towel, gently work the formula into the area using light strokes from the edges of the stain to the center; when your cloth reaches the center of the stain, lightly pinch the area in an upward motion to lift the stain out. Do not scrub the stain.

Deep clean yourself with a professional-grade deep cleaner

• A professional-grade deep cleaner shoots a water and cleaning solution mixture onto the soft surface and then uses powerful suction to extract the water, dirt and grime from the surface and from deep within.
• If you do not have a deep carpet cleaner with an upholstery attachment, Rug Doctor® by BISSELL® offers portable deep cleaners for rent at many locations . They are compact and lightweight, making it easier for you to maneuver than a traditional upright deep carpet cleaner. Though they are smaller, they still have professional-grade suction power you would expect.
• If you are deep cleaning your couch as a part of a larger deep cleaning project that includes large carpet areas and rugs, we recommend renting an Upright Carpet Cleaner and adding the upholstery tool.
• Whether using a portable spot cleaner or an upholstery tool attachment, you will need an upholstery cleaner concentrate to use with the machine. We recommend using Rug Doctor® by BISSELL® Spot + Upholstery . This triple-action formula deep cleans, deodorizes and protects soft surfaces. It is available for purchase at most of our rental locations and on www.rugdoctor.com. Before using any cleaner, be sure to do a spot check as discussed earlier.
• Follow the instructions for deep cleaning your couch as listed on the machine.

Let your couch dry before using

• Make sure your couch is completely dry before putting it back to use. Completing a few “dry passes” with the deep cleaner can speed up dry time. A dry pass simply uses the machine without depressing the solution dispense button.
• Opening windows and turning on ceiling fans can also speed up dry time.
• If possible, remove the cushions and stand them up instead of leaving them flat and against the adjacent fabric.
• After the couch is completely dry, you can give it a once over with the vacuum to fluff and soften the fibers.

You will be amazed how much a deep clean can bring your couch back to life! It is well worth the time and energy. If you are not completely spent after deep cleaning your couch, you can use these same steps, solutions and machines for deep cleaning other areas such as stairs, auto upholstery and any other washable soft surfaces.

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Even if you follow a strict no food or drinks rule in your car, dander, pollen, and other messes settle into auto upholstery and carpets just as they do in your home. Regular interior cleaning and vacuuming can remove some of this debris, but you’ll need to deep clean to remove even more.

To achieve quality results, you need the right carpet cleaning rental for the job. You already know that Rug Doctor® by BISSELL® carpet cleaning rental machines give you a cleaner home for a fraction of the price charged by professionals, but did you know that you can rent a portable spot cleaner for your vehicle? It’s lightweight and portable, so you can get into tight corners and crevices in your car where stains might hide.

How to Clean Your Car’s Soft Surfaces

Auto carpeting and floor mats are designed for wear and tear. They’re durable and look good even after numerous rounds of shampooing. Follow these directions to keep your car interior clean and odor-free.

1. Vacuum first
   Pull out the floor mats and shake them out.  Then vacuum mats and carpeting to thoroughly to remove debris, soil, sand, and surface dirt. Be sure to move each seat forward and back, so that areas that are out of sight are vacuumed.  Vacuum the car’s seats in both the inclined and reclined position to cover every crevice. If the seat headrests are removable, take these off to clean beneath them. Use your vacuum’s crevice tool to reach between and under seats, and into tight seams, nooks, and crannies.
   
2. Pre-treat tough stains
   It’s easy to track in greasy residue on your shoes, so we recommend spraying heavily soiled areas with a pre-treat spot remover like our Oxy Spot & Pre-Treat to break down oils and ground-in grime. Spray the pre-treat carpet and upholstery cleaner on the stained or soiled area. Wait 3-5 minutes, and then deep clean your vehicle’s carpets following the instructions on the machine.
   
   NOTE: Before using a cleaning solution on carpet or fabric seats, always test for colorfastness. Spray a small amount of solution in a hidden area. Blot with a white paper towel to see if any color transfers from the fiber to the towel. Allow to dry – and if color is affected, do not use. Most carpets are colorfast, but it’s always wise to test.
   
3. Pick a machine cleaning solution that best fits your cleaning needs
   Our cleaning solutions are designed to get the best clean possible with our rental machines. If you are renting a Portable Spot Cleaner, we recommend using the Spot + Upholstery cleaner. This cleaning solution is for use with the Rug Doctor® Pro Detailer & Portable Spot Cleaner® and BISSELL® Little Green® portable spot cleaner. Our Triple Action Spot and Upholstery cleaner deep cleans, deodorizes and protects carpet, upholstery and other soft surfaces. It’s great for auto interiors and also sofas, chairs and stairs inside your home.
   
4. Deep clean carpeted mats, auto carpet and upholstery
   Rug Doctor® by BISSELL® rental machines are easy to use. Just fill the clean water tank with hot tap water and a measured amount of cleaning solution per package directions. Press the trigger, spraying clean soapy water onto the vehicle surface, and then scrub the surface forward and back to loosen the dirt or stain. After going over the area, release the trigger spray button and press the suction nozzle (the front of the tool) firmly onto the surface to extract the dirty water into a removable tank for disposal. To speed up drying time, go back over the area multiple times to suck up as much moisture as possible.
   
   NOTE: Before using the machine on upholstery, always test the cleaning solution and spot cleaner in an inconspicuous spot or hidden area and allow to dry before proceeding.  If color is affected, do not use the spot cleaner. 
   
   Clean your car’s upholstered seats in the same way that you vacuumed – in both upright and reclined positions. Then deep clean the carpeting around and beneath the car seats. Repeat upholstery cleaning for the trunk and any other areas of the vehicle as needed. Wait until you see the color of all the dirty water that comes out.  And to think you have been sitting in that for hours each day!
   
5. Allow carpet and upholstery to dry overnight
   Ideally, you can detail your vehicle on a warm, sunny day and keep the doors and/or windows open to help the fresh air dry your vehicle interior. But if you need your upholstery and mats to dry more quickly, use a hair dryer. Just be careful not to hold the hair dryer too close to the surface, as you might scorch the carpet. You can also place a small fan in your car to speed drying.  Once carpet and upholstery are fully dry, replace the floor mats and headrests.

DIY Tricks To Clean Car Upholstery and Keep it Clean

• If you removed your headrests, clean these outside the vehicle on a protected surface.
• If possible, dry the floor mats hanging up instead of leaving them flat on the ground.
• If you spill coffee, immediately dilute it with cool water and blot to prevent coffee stains.
• Keep an extra towel in your car and use it like a placemat to catch spills when you eat.

We recommend giving your car interior and car upholstery a good deep clean every six months to tackle stains like mud, food, and pet messes. Keeping your vehicle clean is important, and it’s easy to see how over time little spots and stains lead to matted-down or discolored auto upholstery and carpet. Spot cleaning spills as soon as they occur can help you maintain your car in between deep cleanings

Where Can I Find A Rug Doctor® by BISSELL® Rental?

Please check our location finder for a Portable Spot Cleaner rental near you.  If this machine is not available near you, you can also rent and use a regular carpet cleaner by adding on the upholstery tool. 

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DIY Car Detailing: Inside

Before getting started get all of your materials needed to start cleaning.

You will need:

• A Vacuum cleaner
• Microfiber cloths
• Window cleaner
• A Rug Doctor® by BISSELL® carpet cleaning machine with the upholstery tool add on

Use our Store Locator to find a carpet cleaning rental near you. If you are only cleaning your car, consider looking for a location that rents a portable deep cleaner. Looking to do some more cleaning? Rent the upright carpet cleaner and upholstery tool, you can deep clean carpets, rugs, upholstery, and your auto interior with a full-size machine and the upholstery tool add on. We recommend pairing your rental with our spot & upholstery cleaning solution and even a pre-treatment if you have tough-to-clean stains. Cleaning solutions can be found in store at the rental racks.

Once you have everything you need, follow this easy step-by-step guide to deep clean the inside of your vehicle.

1. Prepare your vehicle for deep cleaning
   Remove the car seats from the vehicle. Check your car seat’s manual for how to remove the cloth covering and wash it in the washing machine. While the cloth covers are in the wash, wipe down the outside of the car seat with a wet cloth. You don’t want to tarnish a beautifully, newly cleaned car with a dirty car seat!
   
   Check all nooks and crannies in your car to remove all trash and other clutter. Take this time to go through anything you want to store in your car so that it is easier to organize later.
   
   Remove the floor mats and lay them across a bench or on cement. Do not lay them on the ground. You don’t want to get the bottom of them dirty and then place them back in your newly clean car.
   
2. Vacuum
   Now that the mats are out of the vehicle, vacuum the entire car. Most vacuums come with a crevice tool. Use your crevice tool to vacuum between the seats and the doors and between the seat and the middle console.  Don’t forget to vacuum the floor mats you removed too!
3. Deep clean with your rental machine
   Now you are ready to deep clean. Follow the instructions as listed on your machine. See a quick overview of how to use our rental deep cleaners here (link to our general how to use page). Start deep cleaning with your floor mats so they can dry while you clean the rest of your vehicle. Lay the floor mats on swept concrete or over a bench in the sun to dry. Move on to the car seats and then shampoo the floorboard of your car. You can also do the trunk or storage space areas. Our machines are designed for soft surfaces only, do not use them on leather. Reference your vehicle’s manual for instructions on how to clean leather seats.
   
4. Wipe everything down
   Use a microfiber cloth to wipe down the interior of the car including the dash, steering wheel, doors, and console. Don’t forget to wipe down the seatbelts, air conditioning vents, and cup holders, too.
   
   Spray window cleaner directly into the microfiber cloth and wipe down the inside of the windshield and windows.
   
   Spray interior protectant directly onto all hard surfaces and buff with a clean microfiber cloth. An interior protectant helps to keep your dash and other areas from cracking and fading.
   
   After the interior soft and hard surfaces are dry, return your floor mats and the other items you have removed to your vehicle.

DIY Car Detailing: Exterior

You will need:

• Pressure washer rental
• Water
• 5-gallon bucker
• Soft Sponge
• Microfiber cloths
• Window Cleaner
• Car wash soap
• Wheel Cleaner (optional)

Check the weather to make sure there is no rain in the forecast on your cleaning day. Use the filter on our Store Locator to find a location that has pressure washers available to rent.  

Never used a pressure washer? Click here for instructions.

1. Start with the wheels
   Wash your wheels using either soap and water or wheel cleaner. Be sure to clean the front face and inside the wheel’s barrel.
2. Prepare our vehicles for cleaning
   Pre-rinse your vehicle with the Pro Electric Pressure Washer.
   IMPORTANT: Keep the end of the spray wand at least 4 feet away from the vehicle, use a low pressure nozzle and avoid spraying in areas with paint defects or deep scratchers to prevent damage to the paint.
3. Wash your vehicle!
   Add a small amount of soap to the 5-gallon bucket and fill it with water. Use your soft sponge to clean the entire vehicle moving from top to bottom. Move the sponge in a small circular motion.
   
   Use the Pressure Washer to rinse from top to bottom. Make sure to check the wheels and all over the vehicle to rinse off all the soap.
   
   Use the microfiber towel to dry. Be sure to dry along the window edges, between the hood and windshield, around the windshield wipers, and the roof.
4. Wipe down your windows
   Pull your windshield wipers out. Spray a microfiber cloth with glass cleaner and wipe down all windows. Push windshield wipers back in. You can also use this on your headlights and taillights.

Put your car back together

It’s time to put all the clean dried seat covers and floor mats back into your car and admire your hard work!

Clean the Rental Machine(s)

Now that your car is sparkling inside and out, it’s time to do the same with the rental machine. Empty both dirty water and clean water tanks.  Make sure to check the brushes on the machine and the upholstery tool if used. Wipe down the outside of the machine(s). Once they are cleaned, return them to the store you rented from. Returning a machine late or dirty can result in additional charges.

Keeping Your Vehicle Clean While on the Road (Hacks)

Whether you deep clean your car before you leave on a road trip or not, there are steps you can take while on the road to help limit the amount of post-road trip cleanup. Use some of these hacks during your next road trip to keep your vehicle clean while on the road.

• Have a potty-training toddler and don’t want to backslide into diapers? Place puppy pads in the bottom of the car seat to help prevent accidents from soaking through to the car seat covering.
• Keep small trash bags in the vehicle and any time you stop, fill one up and toss it.
• Don’t let stains set in. Keep a stain cleaner on hand and use it for spills or other stains before they are set. We recommend one of our Oxy Spot & Pre-treat sprays. They are great at removing stains and odors from food, coffee, tea, juice, soda, and other road trip essentials.
• If traveling with a pet, keep a lint brush on hand and give your seats or pet area a once-over with it at every stop.
• If taking a long trip, every so often run your vehicle through an automatic car wash. This will keep bugs, dirt, and debris from building up.
• Keep a couple of small caddies or eating trays on hand to make fast food dining less messy.

Don’t Stress and Have a Great Time on Your Road Trip

While a clean car can feel good, quality time with those you love feels even better. The most important tips we can give you are to drive safely, eat all the snacks, and have fun! No matter what spills or stains you collect along the way, there is no need to stress. Rug Doctor® by BISSELL® rental machines will be here to help when you get back from your epic adventure!

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