It's fair to assume many of us prefer to own the cleaning tools we use on a regular basis in the comfort of our homes. However, renting rather than splurging can save you a great deal of money and precious storage space.
Professional cleaners swear by these four cleaning tools, but as a consumer, you typically use them enough to get your money's worth, no matter how often you deep clean your home. Instead, consider renting them when needed or opt for an affordable pro pick that'll get the job done but won't break the bank.
These are the cleaning gadgets you're better off renting
1. Pressure washer
A pressure washer isn't something most people tend to use on a regular basis. Walls, deckings, patios and driveways are the main things you can clean with a pressure washer, and these tasks aren't part of our regular cleaning routines like cleaning the kitchen or mopping the floors.
As Bryan Griffin, founder of Patriot Maids Cleaning Services puts it, 'Pressure washers are useful for blasting away grime on decks or driveways but not something you need daily.' There are so many things you should never clean with a pressure washer due to the risk of damage, so if you owned one yourself it might not get a great deal of use.
'Buying a decent one could set you back around $500, while renting costs under $100 for a weekend,' he continues. You also have to consider where you'll store it and all of the frequent maintenance checks to keep it in good shape for years to come. Fixing a pressure washer isn't for everyone.
You'll likely get more return from your investments through renting a seasonal cleaning appliance, and you can do so confidently knowing that the pressure washer you rent will be a high-quality machine in good condition. It'll be perfect for spring cleaning as the weather improves.
That being said, there are a few unusual uses for a pressure washer such as stripping paint, cleaning tools, and restoring muddy doormats, and if you find yourself doing these DIY tasks regularly, a cheaper, more basic model might be worth buying. Bryan recommends Sun Joe and Kärcher as brands to look out for, like the Sun Joe 2030 MAX PSI Pressure Washer at Home Depot.
Heavy-duty pressure washers can range from 2000 to 3000 PSI, so you get a lot of bang for your buck with this affordable, sub-$200 model from Sun Joe.
2. Carpet cleaner
Adam Hamilton, property expert and CEO of REI Hub explains, 'Carpet cleaners are hands-down one of the best cleaning gadgets to rent instead of buy. Generally, using a carpet cleaner to deep-clean your carpet is a task that only needs to be done every 12-18 month, or slightly more often for rental properties. Since this gadget is used so infrequently, it doesn’t make a lot of sense to buy, spending that much money and taking up so much of your limited storage space.'
Like pressure washers, the carpet cleaners you'd rent are more powerful and thorough than those that you'd buy, unless you're willing to fork out $400+. Deep cleaning your carpet is an important task, so it's worth weighing up whether you'd prefer to use a professional machine infrequently or a consumer model more regularly.
I've tested many of the best at-home carpet cleaners and best vacuum-mop combos (a snippet of my Dreame H14 testing is featured below) and while I was hugely impressed by how much they transformed tired flooring, it's true that they take up a lot of space at home.
Spending $200-400 on a large appliance on top of your regular vacuum isn't an option for many of us with limited space and money. But if you're interested, these are our favorite three carpet cleaners, with the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam being the clear winner after removing two-year-old stains from a local pet shelter, and is the only model we've tested that almost comes close to those that you'd rent.
Unlike other consumer carpet cleaners, the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam uses steam to pre-treat stains and break down the stubborn bacteria. At a local pet shelter, it completely removed stains left by dogs more than two years prior.
A great all-round cleaner that can even pick up pet messes directly from the floor. It's not as comprehensive as a model that you'd rent, but if you're using it regularly, your carpets will look and smell fresher than ever.
Costing just over $200, the ProHeat 2X Revolution Pet Pro is a decent machine that is able to wash your carpets, giving them a deeper clean than your usual carpet vacuum can.
3. Floor buffer
You might not have considered a floor buffer if you're already cleaning your floors with a steam mop or vacuum-mop combo. But a floor buffer can make your hard floors shine like never before, cleaning and polishing surfaces like tile, hardwood, concrete and vinyl.
'Perfect for polishing hard floors in large spaces, these machines are big and pricey,' says Bryan Griffin. And while there wouldn't be much use in buying your own, renting one once a year or when prepping for guests can really transform your home and revive your floors to their once-pristine beauty.
'They can cost up to $2,000, but renting one might only be about $50 to $100 per day' Bryan adds, recommending Oreck and Clarke as brands to look out for.
It won't polish and shine your hard floors the way that a floor buffer would, but if you're in the market for an electric mop to give your hardwood, tile and vinyl floors some special treatment, this affordable model from Shark will leave them looking refreshed.
4. Pool vacuum
A pool vacuum is one of the best ways to clean pool tiles. They're almost completely automatic, saving you from the quite boring task of removing all the debris and gunk that builds up manually.
Jeremy Yamaguchi, CEO of Cabana Pools shares, 'If you have a pool in your backyard, and you don’t pay to have it professionally cleaned, you may realize that pool vacuums can be pretty expensive to buy. Not only that, but you probably don’t use your pool for the entirety of the calendar year, so a vacuum may sit untouched in your garage for 6-8 months or so.'
They can set you back anywhere between $300 and $1,000. The Zodiac MX6 at Amazon sits at the more affordable end of this range but, for something that you'll likely use once or twice a year, it'll be a long time until you're getting your money's worth.
If you've got the money to splurge, this is one of the most affordable pool vacuums out there from a well-trusted brand, and it's fully automatic to take the work off your hands.
So when deciding if it's better to buy or rent a pool vacuum, think about how much time you spend in the pool. If, like most of us, you only tend to use yours during the summer, it's absolutely more financially-savvy to rent one – once at the start of the season and once again before closing it up.
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FAQs
What are the cons of renting cleaning tools?
If you rent a large cleaning tool like a pressure washer or carpet cleaner from an untrustworthy source – say, an individual online – you run the risk of using faulty appliances that could potentially damage your home. Renting from a local business is always recommended, and if possible, try to see the appliance in action before using it in your property.
What do professional cleaners use?
Professional cleaners will have plenty of essential cleaning tools like microfiber cloths and long-reach dusters for day-to-day tasks. We've also spoken with professional cleaners who recommend against using harsh chemicals.
But when it comes to the serious tasks, you can expect the pros to clean with a wet/dry vacuum, as they're rugged, durable and can be used outdoors. If hiring a professional for any of the above tasks like cleaning your pool, carpets or exterior, expect commercial-grade machines with prices that would be wildly out-of-reach for most consumers.
Next, find out how much it costs to pressure wash your driveway, and how to make carpet fluffy again using items you have at home.
