in the market for a new steam vac

[mr_mom]

in the market for a new steam vac my Hoover SteamVac MaxExtract LS died and was gonna get a new hoover but it was lacking some stuff i liked on the old one and was thinking of getting a new bissell proheat 2x or a ProHeat 2X® Select Pet Deep Cleaning System 9400-3 if anyone has any of these modles i need some pos and cons on it what great one it and whats not great thanks for your help in a advance

http://www.bissell.com/product_comparison.aspx?ids=2829,7960

 

[oliveoiltinfoil]

By steam vac do you mean carpet washer? I was always lead to believe steam vacs are the industrial units professionals use, where they actually use proper steam to clean the carpets. It is very mis-leading by manufacturers.

The only "carpet washer" I would recommend is the Bissell big green. It is expensive but it is worth every penny. I will post pictures later of how effective it is, I have been meaning to do it for some time. If you want properly deep cleaned carpets from a system which is better than a rug doctor (and verified), get the big green. All the other Hoover/Vax and Bissell products lack real power.

I'll post the thread in household forums. Sorry I was no further help.

 

[ralph123]

It's difficult to answer your question without knowing how you use your steam vac. How often do you use it? What do you clean with it?

I am also a big fan of the cleaning ability of my Bissell Big Green, but it is a beast to push on thick carpeting.

 

[oliveoiltinfoil]

Best advice I can give is push it against the pile of the carpeting, but obviously I cant speak for all carpets. It is a beast of a machine and very heavy, quite easy when in use however, I find. The results you can get form it are just brilliant.

 

[jodan3399]

I'm not familiar with the Bissell Big Green, but I've picked up a couple of the newer Bissell proheat 2x (clogged at the curb). Fixed them, tried them, gave them away and kept my Hoover spin scrub.

I like all the attachments, but as for cleaning carpets...I really wasn't impressed.

 

[mr_mom]

i liked my hoover but is was starting to go a little bit the hose rotted at the base and as well as inside the handle

 

[marks_here]

I had one of the first Hoover spin/scrub 6 brushes with the lights on the side. I finally wore it out just after 17 plus years of use. I replaced it with another Hoover spin/scrub but it's not the wide one & it works just like the old one, but it takes more time but does a fantastic job. I've tried the Bissell even set up the shampoo kit for my Kirby but nothing cleans like the Hoover did/does. This is my disclaimer ~~~> This is just my opinion & I know it will differ from others.

 

[niclonnic]

My vote...

...For a good carpet washer would be the Bissell Lift-Off Deep Cleaner. I've had mine for over 2 years now, and it's a very good machine!

The reason why it's called Lift-Off is because you can lift the main part of the machine off of the base and use it separately as a portable spot cleaner. This is a very unique and versatile design.

The upright portion of the machine works very well. It features a water heater that heats up the cleaning solution for better cleaning. The machine has two rotating brushes that are similar to a regular vacuum. They do a very good job of removing dirt and stains from carpets and rugs. However, these brushes tend to leave clumps of hair and carpet fibers on the carpet, which have to be picked up by hand.

The machine works well in the portable spot cleaning mode. It does a good job at getting stains out, if you put some work and elbow grease into it. The machine doesn't come with very many attachments (mine came with a 4" brush), but it still gets the job done. The portable cleaner is heavy and bulky, and can be hard to use in some spaces, such as stairs.

One downside of this machine is the tank capacity. The tanks only hold 3/4 gallon (96 oz.) of cleaning solution and dirty water. This means that you have to refill the clean water tank, and empty the dirty water tank more often than other machines.

In addition, all of the weight of this machine is on the bottom, which makes pushing and pulling it in upright mode a bit hard.

In the end, if you don't mind having to fill and empty the tanks frequently, along with the cleaner feeling heavy and awkward to push and pull, this is a great machine.

Pros:
- Cleans well
- Dries carpets well
- Built-in heater for carpet cleaning
- Also doubles as a portable spot cleaner

Cons:
- Small water tanks
- Heavy and awkward to maneuver

 

[fantomfan]

I would stick with a Hoover Steam Vac Spin Scrub

They are far more reliable than the Bissell's (not including the green commercial bissells), just ask my vacuum shop. I always see them in for repair, and half of them for sale on craigslist are broken. I have 2 Hoover Steam Vacs, both have never given me problems. They are both over 10 years old, and both still work very well.

 

[rosiembanks]

Not a ProHeat

I have a Bissell ProHeat. Had, really. It's sitting in the basement while I try to decide what to do with it. My cousin gave it to me while I was deciding whether or not to repair my Hoover SteamVac (I did). She was combining two households into one, and already owned a Royal Procision. I don't think the ProHeat had ever been used before I got it. The ProHeat did a nice job, although it left the carpet somewhat wetter than the Hoover. I liked its upholstery tool better than the Hoover SpinScrub tool. It uses a single tank for both the clean water and dirty, separating them with a bladder. That can be an issue if you don't use all your cleaning solution, and need to pour it into a container to save it for next time. Evidently, these ProHeat machines are notorious for having clogged spray nozzles. Despite following all instructions both in the manual and from the Bissell website for putting it away, six months later, I went to use it, and no spray. Back to the Hoover, only to discover it now needs a new pump.

I bought a "new" --that is, unused, though discontinued--Royal Procision, the RY7910, which I've wanted for more than five years, but thought was too expensive. What's too expensive is to keep buying machines I have to continually repair or replace.

Good luck.

 

[mr_mom]

if i did

have to go with a hoover i think i would go with the Max Extract All-Terrain it looks like its made better

 

[poconovacman]

I'll throw in another vote for the Hoover SteamVac.

I own 2 Dual V models and 3 of the standard squared off tank models. (Can you tell I like them?)

My oldest is from 2001 and it is still in perfect working condition. Only thing I ever had to replace was the cord.

My newest is from late 2013 and I can assure you, it is of the same build quality and high performance level of the old ones.

 

[ctvacman]

I've owned

A bissell pro heat 2x

Hoover spin scrub wide path LS

Spin scrub LS

Rug doctor

Now own a big green, it's performed far better than any other machine I've tried. Of course it's my honest unbiased opinion

 

[mr_mom]

i used a rug doctor and it feels like i have been playing the wii and lose the feelings in my fingers

 

[marks_here]

That's not good.

 

[sbakerde]

My opinion.

Anything but a Bissell pro heat I see them in the trash all the time. The heater clog after a few uses. And they leave the carpets too wet. When I had my store I repaired a handful a week. I like the hoover spin scrub. Works well. And they hold up. I despise a rug doctor. They are a mediocre cleaner. But for me the worst part is two days of screaming back pain after using one. Just my two cents on the topic.

 

[marks_here]

That's it...rug cleaning should not be back breaking not like it used to be & I'm sure people know what I mean if the machines handle is low where you have to constantly arch your back.

 

[gottahaveahoove]

I have a HOOVER, of course.

It's a real North CAnton model.... have had it for years. It still works exactly as it did when I opened the box.

 

[mr_mom]

i liked mine a lot other then all the hose rotted and the spin scrub falling off when i would pick it up if i can find the same model i would get another one