What the Home Depot carpet cleaner does and how to rent one
Home Depot rents carpet cleaning machines — specifically the BISSELL Big Green Machine — by the day for around $25 to $30, depending on your location. You pick it up, use it at home, and return it the next day. The machine sprays hot water mixed with cleaning solution into carpet, then suctions the dirty water back out. It works on most household carpet stains, pet accidents, and general dirt buildup.
You do not need experience to operate it. The machine comes with instructions, and the rental staff will show you the basics before you leave the store. You supply your own cleaning solution — Home Depot sells BISSELL formula in-store, or you can use your own brand — and you fill the machine's water tank yourself.
Renting makes sense if you have one or two rooms to clean or a specific stain problem. If you clean carpet regularly or have a large house, hiring a professional service is often cheaper per square foot and saves you the physical work.
Key Takeaways
- Home Depot rents the BISSELL Big Green Machine for about $25 to $30 per day; you pick it up and return it within 24 hours.
- The machine requires hot water, cleaning solution, and electricity; you fill the tank and plug it in yourself.
- Test any cleaning solution on a hidden corner of carpet first to make sure it does not bleach or damage the fibers.
- The machine is heavy and awkward to maneuver, so clear the room of furniture and cords before you start.
- Return the machine empty and reasonably clean, or you may be charged a cleaning fee on top of the rental cost.
Renting the machine at Home Depot
Go to the tool rental desk at your local Home Depot. You will find it near the back of the store, usually near the lumber section or in a separate rental area. Tell the staff you want to rent a carpet cleaner for one day. They will ask for your name, phone number, and a valid ID. Some locations require a credit card to hold as a deposit, though you are not charged unless you return the machine damaged or very dirty.
Ask the staff which cleaning solution works best with the machine. BISSELL makes a formula designed for the Big Green Machine, and Home Depot stocks it. You can also use other brands, but test it on hidden carpet first — some solutions can bleach or discolor certain fibers. The rental staff will not know your carpet type, so this is your responsibility.
The rental period is usually 24 hours from pickup. If you pick up on a Saturday morning, you return it by Sunday morning. Late returns are charged by the hour or day, so plan your pickup time around when you will actually use the machine.
Setting up and filling the machine
The BISSELL Big Green Machine has two tanks: a clean water tank on top and a dirty water tank underneath. Before you start, fill the clean water tank with hot tap water. Do not use boiling water — it can damage the machine's internal parts. Add the cleaning solution according to the bottle's instructions; most formulas call for a cap or two per tank.
Place the machine on a hard floor, not carpet, while you fill it. Plug it into a standard outlet. Make sure the outlet is not controlled by a wall switch, or you will lose power mid-clean. The machine draws a lot of electricity, so do not run other high-power appliances on the same circuit if you can avoid it.
Check that the dirty water tank is empty before you start. If the previous renter left water in it, empty it into a sink or toilet. A full dirty tank will not suction properly and may leak on your floor.
Cleaning your carpet step by step
Clear the room of furniture, toys, and electrical cords. The machine is about three feet wide and weighs over 50 pounds, so you need open space to move it. Vacuum the carpet first to remove loose dirt and pet hair — the cleaner works better on carpet that is not caked with debris.
Start in a corner and push the machine slowly forward over the carpet. The spray nozzle will wet the fibers as you push. Pull the machine back toward you without spraying — this is the suction stroke that pulls dirty water out. Overlap each pass slightly so you do not miss strips. Move at a steady pace; going too fast does not give the solution time to break down the stain, and going too slow can oversaturate the carpet.
For stains, spray the area several times and let the solution sit for a minute or two before you suction. Do not let it soak for more than five minutes, or it can set into the backing. Go over the stain with the suction stroke three or four times to pull out as much moisture as possible.
When the dirty water tank fills up — you will see it getting dark and cloudy — stop and empty it. Do this outside or over a toilet. Rinse the tank with water before you refill the clean water tank and continue. You may need to empty the dirty tank two or three times depending on how dirty your carpet is.
Finishing and returning the machine
When you are done cleaning, empty the dirty water tank completely. Rinse it with clean water and shake out the excess. Fill the clean water tank with plain hot water and run the machine over a bathtub or outside to flush the lines. This removes leftover cleaning solution and prevents mold growth inside the machine.
Wipe down the outside of the machine with a damp cloth to remove any dirt or spilled solution. Check the brush roll underneath — if hair or debris is wrapped around it, pull it off. Home Depot staff will check the machine when you return it, and they may charge a cleaning fee if it is visibly dirty inside or out.
Return the machine to Home Depot within your rental window. If you rented it for 24 hours, bring it back within that time. The staff will inspect it, run water through it to check for clogs, and return your deposit if everything is in order. If you are late, you will be charged for the extra time.
Common problems and how to fix them
If the machine is not spraying water, check that the clean water tank is full and that the spray nozzle is not clogged. Unscrew the nozzle and rinse it under running water. If water still will not spray, the hose connecting the tank to the nozzle may be kinked — straighten it and try again.
If the machine is not suctioning, the dirty water tank may be full, or the suction hose may be clogged. Empty the dirty tank first. If suction is still weak, disconnect the hose from the machine and blow air through it to clear any blockage. Check that the filter inside the machine is not caked with dirt — if it is, rinse it gently with water.
If the carpet is still wet after you finish, you did not suction enough. Go over the area again with the suction stroke only, no spray. Wet carpet can develop mold or mildew within a day or two, so it is worth spending extra time pulling out moisture. Open windows and run fans to help the carpet dry faster.
When to rent versus when to hire a professional
Renting the machine makes sense for a single room, a specific stain, or a small apartment. The cost is low, and you control the timing. Hiring a professional service makes more sense if you have three or more rooms to clean, if the carpet is very dirty, or if you have mobility issues that make pushing a heavy machine difficult.
Professional cleaners use truck-mounted systems that are more powerful than the BISSELL rental and can extract more moisture, so carpet dries faster. They also know how to handle delicate fibers and can treat specific stain types. The trade-off is higher cost — usually $100 to $300 for a whole house — and you have to schedule around their availability.
If you are renting for the first time, start with one room to see how much work it is. You may find you prefer the control and low cost of renting, or you may decide a professional is worth the money.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any cleaning solution in the Home Depot carpet cleaner?
Most carpet cleaning solutions work, but test it on a hidden corner first. Some formulas can bleach or discolor certain carpet colors, especially reds and blues. BISSELL brand solution is designed for the machine and is usually the safest choice. Avoid dish soap or laundry detergent — they create too many suds and can clog the machine.
How long does it take for carpet to dry after using the rental cleaner?
Carpet usually dries in four to eight hours if you suction well and the room is warm and dry. Open windows, run fans, and crack doors to improve air flow. If the carpet is still damp after 24 hours, you did not remove enough water — go over it again with the suction stroke only.
What if the machine breaks while I have it rented?
Tell Home Depot staff when ready when you return it. If the machine was already broken or malfunctioning, you should not be charged a damage fee. If you broke it through misuse — like running it without water or dropping it — you may be charged a repair or replacement fee. The rental agreement usually covers normal wear but not damage from neglect.
Do I need to do anything special if my carpet has pet stains?
Pet stains often need a solution designed for urine or feces. BISSELL makes a pet-specific formula that breaks down the enzymes in pet waste. Spray the area, let it sit for a few minutes, then suction. You may need to repeat this two or three times for old or set-in stains. If the smell lingers after cleaning, the urine may have soaked into the padding underneath — the rental machine cannot reach that.
Can I rent the carpet cleaner for more than one day?
Yes. Tell the rental staff you want to keep it for two or three days, and they will charge you for each day. This is useful if you have a large house or want to clean multiple rooms without rushing. Just make sure you return it by the agreed date, or you will be charged for extra time.