Ranking The Consumer-Level Carpet Shampooers

[kloveland]

B8

The best shampooer for me personally is my Electrolux B8 (the older metal model). Depending on the job and if it's a house with pets I'll follow up with an extractor or use the B8 alone. I use Kirby shampoo or Electrolux Turbo shampoo depending on what I have available at the time. I like using Kirby shampoo in my B8 better than the Electrolux Turbo Shampoo. I feel the Kirby shampoo does a slightly better job and I enjoy the lavender scent.

For a heavily soiled carpet. I feel one machine by itself does not do enough. I get the best results when I use a rotary shampooer (like my B8) and then follow it up with an extractor (Hoover, Bissell, Oreck..). For me this is the best combination. Aside from hiring or recommending a professional with a truck mount system.

Sorry I got slightly off topic. To answer your question:

I've never tired the Eureka shampooer. The Hoover steamvacs do a good job. If the gears in the spin scrub don't break on you. The Bissell is good but the bladder system is a pain because it can be hard to clean out. The Bissell seems to leave more water behind than the Hoover. The Oreck I just bought seems to do well but is a little awkward. I like the fact that you can press downward on the nozzle/power brush to extract more water. On the Hoover Steamvac I usually taped a weight to the front so the nozzle would dig deeper into the carpet pile.

 

[ralph123]

I like my Bissell Big Green upright best because, it pumps the water at a decent pressure to really spray the carpet, has good suction to pull out the dirt and water, and the belt driven brush roll with soft brushes seems to clean well. The Bissell has handled all of my dog's messes in an acceptable manner. Bissell has excellent detergents for removing dog "presents".

 

[mark40511]

I got a response to a comment

I made a LONG time ago on a carpet cleaning video. Someone who cleans carpets for a living.... They said absolutely do not use any soap in the machine. None. Zero. They said in bad cases spray pre treat or stain spray on bad spots....but just use HOT water in the machine. Why? He said because you can never EVER get the soap out and soap attracts dirt.

I kind of agree with him but not completely. I think you can get the soap out of you use just a LITTLE....and say, go back over the area you just cleaned with plain vinegar and hot water. I haven't had any issues with feeling like there was soap left in the carpet. If there were, I'd think my rainbow vacuum would suds up like crazy

 

[sanitaire]

tti corp bought dirt devil,royal. hoover..

 

[loganvac]

I like to use any of my Regina carpet cleaners, and I have a couple Oreck Rinse a Matic's to choose from too. I'm stocked up on small o ring seals and cartridges because I use them fairly often. If you can get over the awkwardness of using them, they're great performing extractors. I love to clean with them personally, but ofcourse the late 80's early 90's Regina build quality was horrid.