The Humble Beginnings

Rug Doctor was founded in 1972 in Fresno, California, by a professional carpet cleaner named Roger Kent. Frustrated with the inefficiencies of the available carpet cleaning equipment, Kent set out to create a more effective and user-friendly machine. He aimed to enable homeowners to achieve professional-level cleaning results without hiring expensive services.

Kent’s prototype was a robust and efficient carpet cleaning machine that quickly gained popularity among local residents. Encouraged by the positive feedback, he decided to commercialize his invention, thus laying the foundation for Rug Doctor.

Early Growth and Expansion

In the early years, Rug Doctor® focused on refining its products and expanding its reach. The company introduced its machines to local supermarkets and hardware stores, making them easily accessible to the public. This move proved to be a game-changer, as it allowed customers to rent the machines for short periods, a novel concept at the time.

By the late 1970s, Rug Doctor® had established a strong presence across the United States. The company’s innovative rental model and effective cleaning machines resonated with consumers, driving rapid growth. During this period, Rug Doctor also started developing various cleaning solutions specifically formulated to work with their machines, further enhancing their effectiveness.

Technological Innovations

Significant technological advancements marked the 1980s and 1990s for Rug Doctor®. The company invested heavily in research and development, creating more advanced and user-friendly machines. One notable innovation was the introduction of vibrating brush technology, which improved the deep-cleaning capabilities of the machines.

Rug Doctor also expanded its product line to include upholstery cleaners and specialized machines for pet stains and odors. These innovations catered to a broader audience and reinforced Rug Doctor’s position as a leader in the carpet cleaning industry.

Going Global

As Rug Doctor grew domestically, the company set its sights on international markets. In the late 1990s, Rug Doctor® began its global expansion, entering the European, Australian, and Asian markets. The brand’s reputation for quality and innovation helped it quickly gain traction in these new regions.

As Rug Doctor® continues to innovate and expand, its legacy of empowering consumers with professional-grade machines and cleaning solutions is set to endure, ensuring that carpets worldwide stay spotless for generations to come.

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It Started With Spilled Sawdust

Like many well-intentioned people who set out to have a relaxing Saturday, we didn’t mean to start cleaning—it just happened. In 1876, Melville R. Bissell and his wife, Anna, owned a small crockery shop in Michigan. Because they were constantly cleaning sawdust off the carpet of the shop (know the feeling?), Melville invented a unique carpet sweeper and patented it. When customers and friends began asking where they could buy the carpet sweeper, a new business was born.

It’s A BISSELL Woman’s World

That’s the theme here at BISSELL. When Melville Bissell died in 1889, there was no question who would run the company. His wife Anna stepped in to lead the business, becoming the first female CEO in America. She aggressively defended the company’s patents and marketed sweepers successfully throughout North America and Europe. In fact, in the late 1890s BISSELL gained its biggest fan in Queen Victoria, insisting that her palace be “Bisselled” every week. Palace attendants must have loved the extra free time they had after royal messes became much easier to clean up.

The Factory

There’s a lot of fun to be had out there in the world, so once we’d conquered a palace, we started working on making cleaning with BISSELL products even easier. In 1956, we introduced the manual carpet shampooer, which rendered the practice of scrubbing carpets on hands and knees obsolete. Cinderella, you’re welcome. Only a year later, our Shampoo Master won the Bachner Award for Achievement in the fascinating field of practical application of molded and formed plastics. We were on a roll. By the end of the 60s, we were a jack of all surfaces, revolutionizing the way and ease with which people clean, offering the first combination Vac/Floor scrubber, Dry Powder Rug Shampoo and Applicator, and the Gemini Sweeper, the first two-brush sweeper.

Clean Gets Even Deeper

In 1979, we made magic, introducing the first BISSELL carpet deep cleaning machine, making dirty carpet easily disappear. Then, in the late 1980s, just as the New Kids on the Block were singing “Hangin’ Tough”, we did the opposite and created the BISSELL SC, the company’s first deep cleaner that was no longer tethered to a water source in the house. As a result, carpet deep cleaning became more effective and convenient than ever, and that’s the path we’ve continued on ever since, creating the BISSELL® Big Green® Deep Cleaning Machine® and the PowerGroom® vacuum, the first BISSELL® branded upright vacuum in the 90s, which more than lived up to its name.

Things Get A Bit Hairy

In a good way! Early in the 2000s, we really noticed the love we at BISSELL had for pets when we realized 72% of us were pet owners! Even though there are so many things we love about our pet, we know keeping our homes tidy isn’t always at the top of their minds. When we found out that stopped many would-be pet adopters, we knew it was up to us to do something. So we did. In 2005, we launched the SpotBot® portable deep cleaner, our first product designed specifically for tackling pet messes. Since then, we have continued to develop and launch products specifically designed to make cleaning up after pets easier!

Home To A Deeper Clean®

Today, BISSELL continues to be family-owned, and passionate about helping you effectively and easily clean your home, so you enjoy life and come home to a deeper clean. At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if your messes are from baby food or red wine, mud or chocolate, cat hair or a pet accident, we’re here to help you embrace all life’s messes, erase them quickly, and get back to the most meaningful part of your home – living in it!

Learn more about BISSELL here

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