With all the carpet cleaning options on the market, it can be tough figuring out which one hits the right balance between cost and effectiveness. Luckily, we at Rug Doctor know that in the world of carpet cleaning there’s just one authority respected above all others: the carpet and rug manufacturers themselves.

The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) is the heavy hitter in the industry. In fact, some carpet and rug manufacturers will void warranties if you use a carpet cleaning system that isn’t rated by them. Through a rigorous application of advanced scientific methods and NASA technology (no, seriously­­–read more about it here), the CRI’s Seal of Approval program rates carpet cleaning systems as Bronze, Silver, Gold or the coveted Platinum.

I’m proud to say the Rug Doctor cleaning system – including both the cleaning solution and deep-cleaning machines – earned the CRI’s Platinum Seal of Approval. What this means is that each part of the Rug Doctor system does its part to remove deeply settled dust and debris to the highest CRI standards, putting it on par with professional services. How cool is that?

Okay, but how does the CRI test and rate carpet cleaning systems like Rug Doctor’s? That’s the fun part. After thoroughly dirtying a carpet sample – which has to be an enjoyable day in the lab – scientists use a cleaning system as instructed and evaluate how much dirt is attracted after cleaning. There are seven criteria judged in all (you can read all about them here), but the big three are Soil Removal, Water Removal and Texture Retention.

Soil Removal is – you guessed it – how much dirt and grime comes out of your carpet. The more dirt removed, the higher the CRI rating. This part’s pretty neat, because the CRI uses something called an X-Ray Fluorescence analyzer, developed for NASA, to determine how different types of soil respond to the cleaning process.

Water Removal is important because if too much dirty water is left behind, not only does it take longer to dry, your carpet can become a breeding ground for mold, fungus and other nasty stuff. Gross.

Finally, Texture Retention is all about how well a carpet cleaning system treats your carpet. A Platinum Rating means a cleaning system will be kind to the carpet pile, so that it comes out looking and feeling the way it should and you can be proud of the work you’ve done.

The Rug Doctor Advantage

Soil Removal, Water Removal, and Texture Retention – that’s the formula for a cleaner, happier, healthier home. Not only have the industry’s top scientists confirmed that Rug Doctor performs at the same level as professional carpet cleaning services in these categories, it does so at a fraction of the cost. So when you use the Rug Doctor carpet cleaning system, you can be confident you’ll have a fresh, clean carpet and professional-grade results without breaking the bank.