Carpet Cleaning Bunnings vs Woolworths & Coles: Which Hire Option is Best?

Carpet cleaning is essential for maintaining a fresh and inviting home, but professional services can be expensive — and sometimes disappointing (like when the last carpet cleaner seemed to just wet the carpet with no real improvement 🤨). Renting a carpet cleaning machine is a more budget-friendly option, letting you take cleaning into your own hands.

But which rental service gives you the best value? In this blog post, we’ll compare carpet cleaning machine hire from Bunnings, Coles, and Woolworths — plus share common DIY mistakes and what to watch out for.

Carpet Cleaner Hire in Australia:

What You Need to Know

Hiring a carpet cleaner is a popular choice for parents dealing with food or drink spills or those who want to refresh their carpets without paying for a professional service. It’s ideal for budget-conscious homeowners, or anyone who enjoys a good DIY challenge.

In Australia, the three most common places to rent carpet cleaning machines are:

• Bunnings

• Coles

• Woolworths
  

These stores typically rent out Britex and Rug Doctor machines for $44 - $54.

They are user-friendly and suitable for general carpet and rug cleaning.

Where Should You Rent a Carpet Cleaner in Australia?

All three retailers offer similar pricing and machines:

✅ Bunnings Carpet Cleaner Hire: Britex vs Rug Doctor

Bunnings is one of the most popular go-to options for hiring carpet cleaners, with most of their stores offering the Britex 3in1 machine. The rental period can be 24 or 48 hours, and you can expect to pay around $53 for the hire. Bunnings carpet cleaning machines are suitable for general carpet cleaning and include optional accessories for upholstery and spot cleaning.

If you visit Bunnings Bennetts Green, you'll also find the Rug Doctor available for hire. This unit is priced quite the same, around $52 for the same rental duration. While not as widely stocked as Britex, Rug Doctor machines have a strong fan base, especially for smaller spaces or spot treatment.

Britex vs Rug Doctor: Which One Wins?

According to reviews on the Bunnings website, the Britex 3in1 scores 4.7 stars from 1,459 reviews while the Rug Doctor is rated 4.8 stars from 28 reviews. While both ratings are strong, the Britex rating is based on a much higher number of users because it’s been around for ages.

The Britex 3in1 is a sturdy and reliable choice for DIY carpet cleaning. It’s been on the market for years and is designed for general home use. While powerful enough for routine maintenance, it may struggle with deep stains, pet odours, or high-traffic areas.

The Rug Doctor, though less widely available, is praised for its compact size and ease of use. Some users feel it’s better for small spaces or spot cleaning rather than full-house jobs.

✅ Coles Carpet Cleaner Hire: What to Expect

At Coles Toronto, you'll find the Britex 3in1 available for rent. Like Bunnings, the rental periods are 24 or 48 hours. Pricing varies widely depending on the location and any extras selected, but typical hire rates start from $43.60. Some customers have found that rates increase if additional tools are needed for upholstery or heavy-duty cleaning, or if cleaning solutions must be purchased separately.

Coles stores may not always have staff trained in carpet cleaner hire, and hire stations are often managed by third-party vending systems, which can be confusing for some customers. That said, the convenience of just picking one up while shopping for groceries is pretty appealing!

✅ Woolworths Carpet Cleaner Hire: Extended trading hours

Woolworths offers the Britex 3in1 and the Rug Doctor for hire through locations like Woolies in Swansea. The most common hire duration is 24 hours, with prices starting around $43. Woolies supermarkets generally stay open later, which is super handy if you’ve had a last-minute mishap or spill.

However, the limited rental time can be tricky if you’re trying to clean a large area or if you’re not confident using the machine efficiently. Like Coles, the hiring process is typically self-serve via vending kiosks and may offer less customer support if something goes wrong with the equipment.

👉If you’ve had a spill that can’t wait and you’re confident using a DIY machine, Woolworths' extended trading hours make it a convenient choice. If you want a reliable, well-reviewed unit with longer hire times and better availability of accessories, Bunnings Britex is a popular and consistent option. Coles is great for multitaskers doing their weekly shop, but expect limited support and some inconsistency with pricing and machine availability.

You’ll find these machines near the front of the store. Just follow the signs or ask at the service desk.

What You’ll Need to Budget For

While machine rental might only cost $39–$48, don't forget the extras:

• Carpet detergent: $15–$25

• Pre-spray: $10–$15

• Optional upholstery tool: ~$9
  

💡 Tip: Most carpet cleaner rental machines don’t include the cleaning solutions. You’ll need to buy Britex or Rug Doctor branded products separately.

What to Watch Out for

When Using a Rental Machine

Renting a machine isn’t foolproof, many DIY carpet cleaning attempts don’t turn out as planned. Here are the top issues to be aware of:

💥 Leaving Carpets Too Wet

The machine dispenses water but doesn't always extract it well. Over-wetting can cause:

• Mould or mildew growth

• Damage to underlay or wooden flooring

• Carpets that take days to dry
  

💥 Not Using Pre-spray

Pre-spray helps loosen dirt before you clean. Skipping this step often leads to dull results, even after two goes.

💥 Wrong Technique

Using the machine too fast or too slow can leave streaks or residue. It’s all about finding the right pace - like pros who have mastered this with experience.

Best Times to Use a Rental Carpet Cleaner

Hiring a carpet cleaning machine makes sense when:

• A guest spilled a drink

• Your pet had an accident

• You want to freshen up carpets a little before hosting guests  

But if your carpets haven’t been cleaned in years, are heavily stained, or have lingering odours, it may be time to call on our professional carpet cleaning services in Belmont, Lake Macquarie & Newcastle, NSW

Other Options Besides Bunnings Carpet Cleaning etc.

Hiring a carpet cleaning machine can be handy, but it’s not the only option. Depending on your needs, there might be a better fit — whether for convenience, budget, or results.

🧼 Buy Your Own Carpet Cleaner

If you find yourself renting machines multiple times a year, it could make sense to invest in your own carpet cleaner. Brands like Bissell or Vax sell home-use machines that are easy to store and ready when you need them. They’re not as powerful as commercial units, but they’re great for regular maintenance, quick spill cleanups, and staying on top of pet messes.

Pros: Convenient, cost-effective over time, good for families with kids or pets.

Cons: Upfront cost, takes up storage space, not ideal for deep cleans.

👨‍🔧 Hire a Professional Carpet Cleaner

For seriously dirty carpets, end-of-lease cleans, or preparing your home for sale or guests, nothing beats a professional. Expert cleaners use commercial-grade equipment and techniques that go deeper, dry faster, and remove stains and smells more effectively than any rental machine can.

Pros: Best results, hassle-free, saves time.

Cons: Higher cost upfront, needs to be scheduled in advance.

To weigh up your options, consider the cost, how much effort is needed from you and how effective each choice is:

Option	Cost	Effort	Effectiveness
Rent a machine	Low	High	Moderate
Buy a machine	Medium–High	Medium	Moderate - Low
Hire a pro	Higher upfront	Low	High

If you’re unsure which way to go, get a quote from a local cleaner — you might be surprised how affordable it can be compared to the time, effort, and cost of doing it yourself. A professional clean might cost more, but it saves time, hassle, and the risk of DIY mistakes.

So... What’s Right for You?

• 🧰 Bunnings – Offers the most choice in both machine types and accessories. Great if you want flexibility, longer hire times, or extras like upholstery tools.
  

• 🛍️ Coles – Convenient if you want to grab a machine while doing your weekly shop. Just be prepared for less guidance and some variation in pricing and stock.
  

• 🛒 Woolworths – Best for late-night mishaps or last-minute cleans, thanks to extended trading hours. A solid pick if you're confident going DIY with limited support.
  

Have you ever hired a carpet cleaning machine?

We’d love to hear about your experience — whether it worked wonders or left you with soggy carpets and aching arms! Drop a comment below and let us know how it went. Your feedback could help someone else decide if it’s worth doing it themselves or not!