If you were to choose...

[trebor]

a water filtration vac to recommend for use in a residential cleaning service, which one would you choose?


 


I am leaning towards the Hyla because : 1) the 4 qt bucket is standard 2) the bucket has a handle which is the locking mechanism, so no clips to break off  3) remote control is removable, and works for both main unit and power nozzle, easily replaced, simplifies wiring/repair issues.  I know the Rainbow has the Rainjet, and the Aquamate, but those would not be used by cleaning personnel anyway.   The other serious contender besides the Rainbow would be the Ocean Blue.  Thoughts, input, suggestions?

 

[pr-21]

Youtube videos

Trebor,

I have the new Rainbow and have always just had Rainbows for my water filtration vacuum. I decided to watch the youtube videos just the other day on other water filtration vacuums. Obviously just by watching those you cannot make a good judgement other than your own opinions. I still think, after seeing the videos, that the Rainbow is the best choice. They do make the 4qt basin as well. I bought both. I have never had the clips break off on any of my rainbows.

Also the water filtration vacs that have the baffles would be terribly hard to take care of.

Rob, williamr1248 has a post about his Hyla you might be interested to read.....He got it just after his new Rainbow.

Just my thoughts,

Bud Mattingly[this post was last edited: 7/8/2012-17:58]

 

[williamr1248]

If you were to choose?

Robert,
I have both new machines and here is what I have found:
This is not in ANY way to talk NEGATIVE about the Hyla BUT I have used both machines so this is just some observations:

(1) Hyla 4 quart bucket-It looks like it would be easier but it is open just like a bucket and is hard to handle without sloshing the water. I also do not think it is made as sturdy. If you check out some of the comments from Hyla owners,several have reported broken buckets.
(2) I much prefer the new Rainbow off/on/lock on switch to the small Hyla remote control. The Hyla remote control is not lighted or marked and it has a tendency to fall off the wand in use.
(3) The new Rainbow dolly is much easier to pull around and over door sills
(4) Biggest fault for me is the SHORT electric hose on the Hyla and the hose is much stiffer as the electric cord runs inside the hose.
(5) Service and parts are ONLY available through a Hyla distributor.
You CANNOT buy parts or supplies from even Hyla web site
(6) Rainbow has brushless motor and longer warranty
Rainbow has 8 years for motor and computer and 4 years on tools
Hyla has 4 years on motor and 1 year on tools,hose and power nozzle
(7) I much prefer the Rainbow power nozzle set up with the one hose and set of wands. With the new design of the Rainbow power nozzle-much better air flow and easier on the carpets.
(8) you have to be VERY careful with the Hyla to make sure you have the handle locked properly. I have had the motor unit lift off the water basin and spilled the water everywhere. This is of course user error!
Robert,
I also like the Hyla but the Rainbow is just so advanced and well designed for ease of use. You really cannot compare it to earlier Rainbow machines in ease of use and performance and it is made in USA.
You might want to check with the posts from Dan as he also has both machines.

(7)

 

[williamr1248]

If you were to choose

Trebor,

I also wanted to add I have no experience with the Ocean Blue.

I will have to give BOTH the buying experience from Ken for the Rainbow and the girls from Hyla an A+. Everyone I delt with were great.
The Hyla Company may offer a longer electric hose as an option.

 

[trebor]

Rob...

Do you think the Rainbow PN would hold up under use in multiple homes per day 5-6 days/week?


 


I am researching for an acquaintance who is starting a "Home Sanitizing Business" way beyond standard maid/house cleaning service. I had dreams of this at one point, but this almost 60 yr old body is beyond a business start-up of this type at this point.


 


I think the Ocean Blue might be less expensive, just from the look of it.

 

[vintagerepairer]

Trebor, I can't comment on specifics as I know nothing about these cleaners you talk of. What I do know about is running a business. The people who intend to start this cleaning service would, I assume, need more than one machine. Is it not possible for them to buy one of each of the three brands you mentioned and see how each one excels / lets them down in various scenarios and then judge as to which (if any) was the best choice? I know it's going to involve costs and outlays of course, but then that is business for you.

 

[williamr1248]

If you were to choose

Trebor,
Both of the machines I am talking about are designed for residenial use not commercial use.
I can only comment on my personal experience. I have used my older Rainbow for 18 years and no problems and I have used the new Raonbow every day for the last year
BUT that is not the same as commercial use.
I would think you would want a commercial machine to take the abuse.

 

[kirbylux77]

Robert, I would not recommend EITHER the Hyla or the Ocean Blue.

For Hyla: Biggest drawback for me is that it is manufactured in Slovenia. On top of that, to be honest, the vacuum just looks cheap! I would even question the quality of plastic they use to make it. And of course, as another poster pointed out, that electric hose- they are too cheap to include a heavy-duty wire-reinforced electric hose on a vacuum that's being sold door-to-door?!?! They've got TONS of nerve in my books for thinking that's appropriate....

For Ocean Blue: The vacuum is clearly a Rainbow D2 & D4 combined together, with a cheap copy of the motor from the D4. I have read that lots of people are having issues with the Ocean Blue's reliability, mainly that the motors don't hold up & die easily. But then again, what do you expect for a cheap Rainbow copy?! Another HUGE disadvantage for me, is Ocean Blue is not an established company yet, unlike Hyla which IS becoming established, & I would be willing to bet good money that Ocean Blue won't be around to support their product in 10 years time.

Have you thought about Pro Aqua? Maybe that may be the solution your friend's need. It's German made, & the bucket looks big enough that it could possibly be a 4 quart bucket.

Rob

 

[kirbyloverdan]

I own em all

I love the Rainbow so well made you can`t go wrong .

I like the Ocean blue it is a copy of Rainbow D series .

I own the Hyla and like it but have the same complaints as Rob .

I also own the Pro Aqua very well made a close second to the Rainbow .

I also own the Aura Robo clean I really like it but parts are only through the

distributer .

Rainbow # 1 choice Pro Aqua # 2 choice .

 

[williamr1248]

If you were to choose

Trebor,
I need to make a correction. I just checked my Hyla and the warranty is for 5 years on the motor not 4 years as I stated earlier. Sorry for the mistake.

 

[williamr1248]

If You were to choose

Trebor,
I went to the Hyla web site and found an optional 13 and 20 foot hose BUT it looks like it is non electric.
Also like to add that the Hyla air freshner and deodorizer is really great.
I got the optional natural bristle floor brush but bear in mind you MUST change hose and wands when going from carpet mode with the electro brush to hard surface cleaning with the natural bristle floor brush and the straight suction hose.
You can turn off the electro brush and use it for bare floors but that did not do a very good on my bare floors. I preferred the natural bristle brush.
With the Rainbow all you do is quick release the power nozzle and attach the fuller brush using the same tubes and hose. Note also the the new Rainbow carries the fuller brush right on the cleaner.
With the Rainbow the tool holder fits on the top-front of the unit. With the Hyla the tools fit around the base on the dolly.

The Hyla uses a power nozzle very similar to several other German machines.
It has a tendency to catch at the ends of small rugs and the thread and hair accumulate on the roller. It seemed to clean better on the medium pile rugs but on the thick cut pile carpets it was no match for the Rainbow in the over all appearance of the rug. You need to check them both out before you buy.

I think both machines are very good

 

[goadie12]

@ Trebor

You said that this person wants to start a cleaning business correct? My only question is why in the world would they want a water filteration vacuum. Don't get me wrong I LOVE rainbows but I just think it would be WAY too expensive to buy new rainbows and it would become a huge pain in the butt having to change the water maybe hundreds of times a week. If I were you I would recomend them purchasing a few used tristars EXL CXL and buy a replacement SEBO power nozzel. They would be a fraction of the cost and they would be much much easier to use. As well I am assuming they would be hiring people to clean for them correct? And who knows how they will treat the rainbows they porbily won't even change the water more than once in a large home, and when making an investment of $2000-3000 per machine you want them to be taken care of. With the tristar you can beat the crap out of them and they will never die that's why I would NOT recomend a water filteration vacuum whether it be a rainbow or a in commercial cleaning that's just my opinion thanks. Zach

 

[trebor]

The purpose in using water filtration vacs....

in a home sanitizing business is that people would see the filth extracted from their homes. Each time a cleaning is done, a clean dry, spotless machine would be unsealed from a plastic bag, so no possibility of contamination from another home. The bathrooms, etc. would be cleaned with vapor steam and UV light. No chemicals. All the pads and rags would be put in separate plastic bags with the 'bio-hazard" symbol on them. The personnel would don clean white foot protectors and gloves upon entering, and one or two air sterilizing units would run the entire time they were in the home. Anything washed, like mirrors and light fixtures would be done with an anti-bacterial solution. A totally sanitized home, for a price.

 

[durango159]

Thermax?

Have you thought about a Thermax? Never used one but they look neat!

 

[goadie12]

Ok well that makes sence then but I still think that is a lot of money for a company just starting out maybe use rebuilt rainbows thanks ? Zach

 

[trebor]

The Thermax AF2...

is a re-iteration of a machine called the PIGG, with the addition of an electric power head. If formerly had only a turbo nozzle. No separator. Very heavy unit, although not as heavy as the AF-1.


 


The PIGG motto was "We Root Out All Your Dirt"

 

[trebor]

The launch of the...

Home Sanitizing Business  has been postponed in favor of a regular, but upscale home cleaning service. She is going to use, can you guess? Bissell Powerforce Helix bagless uprights.  They will be used along side Sanitaire uprights and upright/canister power teams as the basic vacuum for regular cleaning, with an extended hose and full tool kit for more thorough cleaning.  If they last 90 days they have more than paid for themselves, because in that time they will have done about 450 house cleanings. That is TEN CENTS A HOUSE not counting a few belt changes. The brushroll and filters will need to be cleaned, but how can she go wrong?

 

[bagintheback]

Trebor

I hope you don't mind me asking, but why are you so excited about the Bissell Powerforce Helix? They have had similar models out for almost a decade now and the Helix dust cup isn't much of an improvement. Don't you think they would be better off with a Hoover Tempo or something similar in that price range?

 

[trebor]

I was not really a fan of them...

until I saw so many come into the shop. Clean the brushroll, clean the filter, unclog the hose, change the belt, and on they go. The performance for the money is hard to top. I don't have one at home, but people who buy them are overwhelmingly satisfied.  (83%) If I could sell them and make a few bucks per unit, I would.    I regret that this has become a throwaway society, but this particular unit is not as throwaway as I thought.  It surprised me that this woman would go from contemplating water filtration vacs to the BPFH, but the math is irrefutable. (TEN CENTS A HOUSE)  My friend who bought four of them is raving about them. She has had Eurekas and Dirt Devils and Hoovers and a lemon DTD Electrolux, swears the BPFH is the best vac(s) she has ever owned. And again, look at the minimal cost for having a vac on every floor.   Hoover Tempo, great little vac for a bagged vacuum. I don't really care for bagless, except the Rainbow, but lots of people do. And Bissell is way better than the other Big Box brands on their warranty issues.  I fought the trend of bagless, and still do not fully embrace it, but it is here to stay. Why not get the most for the least?