Best Home Carpet Cleaner Around
Written: Jun 19 '06
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Pros: Great suction, keeps water hot, easy to push/pull.
Cons: None that I can find.
The Bottom Line: It's the best home carpet cleaner I have used and VERY easy on the lower back. I highly recommend it.
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| sophiesdad's Full Review: Bissell 1698-1 PowerSteamer ProHeat Plus Upright... |
I was a little reluctant to write a review for this item because so many have already been written. However, I am so excited about its performance that I hope that I can help someone to decide to buy this model over the many others offered on the market today because it is truly superior.
For years I owned a Sears carpet cleaner which was a big, bulky, canister-type steam cleaner. It was a little smaller than a shop vac. It had no power head with rotating brushes and the heat of the water depended solely on how hot it was when you placed it into the solution tank.
After it died from years of use, I went for about a year or so renting the Rug Doctor at the local grocery store. These units were powerful and did a good job of cleaning our carpets. We have two inside dogs, but they still track in their share of dust and dirt, not to mention the dander and hair problem. Because we both have allergies, I end up cleaning the carpeting about 3 times a year.
After reading a Consumer Reports article about the Bissell Pro Heat, I decided to go ahead and try one. I paid a little over $200 at Wal-Mart. It comes partially assembled in the box, so there is a little bit of assembly when you get it home. The instruction sheet was very clear and easy to follow, so I had it put together and ready to go in a matter of minutes.
I filled the solution cup which is a really nice feature on this cleaner - there is no mixing necessary. The concentrated solution goes in one cup and the hot water in another reservoir. This avoids making the mix too strong or too weak. I flipped on the heater switch and waited about 2 minutes to get the water good and hot and was ready to start.
The first thing that I noticed was just how quiet it was. When I used the Rug Doctor, the noise level was about the equivalent of a Boeing 747 flying through your living room. I was never able to hear the phone, or anyone screaming at me. This cleaner, however, was remarkably quiet. Of course, being the eternal "optimist" that I am, I thought, "Ok, if it's that quiet, then it won't get up the dirt and will leave me with a wet carpet."
I couldn't have been more wrong. Despite the fact that the vacuum is very quiet, the suction is incredbile. It managed to squeeze practically every drop of water out of the carpeting when I went over the path that had the solution. There are several rotating brushes which do a credible job of fluffing up the carpet nap and making it go from flat and worn-out looking to almost new.
The fact that the on-board heater keeps the water nice and hot seems to add to the effectiveness of getting out even the worst high-traffic paths of dirt. One caution: my carpeting is synthetic, so colorfastness is no problem - if you have wool or other natural fiber carpet, make sure you consult the manufacturer before using this product.
Another really great feature is the fact that it is so well balanced that it is a breeze to move back and forth along the cleaning path. The Rug Doctor is probably twice as heavy and is very difficult to navigate, but the Bissell is a dream. Moving around furniture and corners is very easy with the Bissell and it is super easy on the lower back because it is so well-balanced.
Cleanup is a snap - the reservoir lifts out with a built-in handle that doubles as a locking mechanism. The solution cup also lifts out and the cap unscrews easily to empty any leftover liquid. Just a quick rinse and it's ready to store in the closet.
I have had this item for almost 2 years now, and I really can't find anything to complain about. It's beautifully designed, full of power to clean, easy to use, and durable. Bissell did a really great job with this one. If you have any second thoughts about actually buying a carpet cleaner, just remember that after only 4 or 5 uses, it has paid for itself over renting one at the store. Not to mention the fact that you have to drive to the store twice when renting.
I highly recommend this for anyone with carpeting in the home, especially if you have allergies and need to keep a clean carpet.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 229.00
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Epinions.com ID:
sophiesdad
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Location: Florida
Reviews written: 94
Trusted by: 4 members
About Me:
Public school Media Specialist, Musician, Technogeek
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