Thread Number: 26700
in the market for a new steam vac
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Post# 298847   9/19/2014 at 02:05 (3,478 days old) by mr_mom (pittsburgh (PA))        

mr_mom's profile picture
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

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Post# 298858 , Reply# 1   9/19/2014 at 04:15 (3,478 days old) by oliveoiltinfoil (England, UK)        

oliveoiltinfoil's profile picture
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.


Post# 298875 , Reply# 2   9/19/2014 at 11:10 (3,478 days old) by ralph123 (Little Rock, AR)        

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.



Post# 298878 , Reply# 3   9/19/2014 at 11:29 (3,478 days old) by oliveoiltinfoil (England, UK)        

oliveoiltinfoil's profile picture
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.

Post# 298987 , Reply# 4   9/20/2014 at 10:04 (3,477 days old) by jodan3399 (Brownsville, PA)        

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.


Post# 299238 , Reply# 5   9/21/2014 at 21:20 (3,475 days old) by mr_mom (pittsburgh (PA))        

mr_mom's profile picture
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

Post# 299240 , Reply# 6   9/21/2014 at 21:33 (3,475 days old) by marks_here (_._)        

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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.

Post# 299332 , Reply# 7   9/22/2014 at 11:45 (3,475 days old) by niclonnic (Bonney Lake, WA)        
My vote...

niclonnic's profile picture
...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


  Photos...       <              >      Photo 1 of 3         View Full Size
Post# 299341 , Reply# 8   9/22/2014 at 13:11 (3,475 days old) by FantomFan (Rochester, New York)        
I would stick with a Hoover Steam Vac Spin Scrub

fantomfan's profile picture
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.

Post# 299343 , Reply# 9   9/22/2014 at 13:27 (3,475 days old) by rosiembanks (Dayton, OH)        
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.


Post# 299367 , Reply# 10   9/22/2014 at 15:48 (3,475 days old) by mr_mom (pittsburgh (PA))        
if i did

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

Post# 299369 , Reply# 11   9/22/2014 at 15:57 (3,475 days old) by PoconoVacMan (Northeast Pennsylvania)        

poconovacman's profile picture
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.


Post# 299397 , Reply# 12   9/22/2014 at 20:10 (3,474 days old) by ctvacman (CT)        
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


Post# 299410 , Reply# 13   9/22/2014 at 21:08 (3,474 days old) by mr_mom (pittsburgh (PA))        

mr_mom's profile picture
i used a rug doctor and it feels like i have been playing the wii and lose the feelings in my fingers

Post# 299411 , Reply# 14   9/22/2014 at 21:17 (3,474 days old) by marks_here (_._)        

marks_here's profile picture
That's not good.

Post# 299417 , Reply# 15   9/22/2014 at 22:24 (3,474 days old) by sbakerde (Millsboro, DE )        
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.

Post# 299419 , Reply# 16   9/22/2014 at 22:31 (3,474 days old) by marks_here (_._)        

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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.

Post# 299593 , Reply# 17   9/24/2014 at 16:45 (3,472 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
I have a HOOVER, of course.

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

Post# 299656 , Reply# 18   9/24/2014 at 22:57 (3,472 days old) by mr_mom (pittsburgh (PA))        

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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

Post# 299659 , Reply# 19   9/24/2014 at 23:02 (3,472 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        

super-sweeper's profile picture

To the SteamVac! We've had the basic model we bought at Kohls for years, it's never had a single malfunction in it's life! The only issue we had is the water-line to the hose had It's plastic connector break, but I'm not even sure that was the Hoover's fault!

 

I like my Rug-Renovator for refreshing carpets, but the SteamVac is the deep-cleaner! laughing


Post# 299669 , Reply# 20   9/24/2014 at 23:54 (3,472 days old) by ralph123 (Little Rock, AR)        

I'm surprised there aren't more canister style carpet cleaners. It's a lot of work to move my big green carpet cleaner. One thing that's nice about the Rainbow's carpet washer is that you move only the power head.

I used to have a Hoover Spin Scrub, but it died after 7 years of not too heavy use.


Post# 299702 , Reply# 21   9/25/2014 at 11:39 (3,472 days old) by Kirbysthebest (Midwest)        

I have an old Bissell Big Green the cannister model from 1992, as well as a Hoover spin scrub.

The Bissell has earned it's keep over the years, but The Hoover is excellent. My Hoover, like John's is a Ohio Hoover, not a China Hoover BTW. I can't vouch for the newer models.


Post# 299706 , Reply# 22   9/25/2014 at 12:17 (3,472 days old) by kirbyloverdan (Egg Harbor Twp . NJ aka HOOVERLOVERDAN ❤️)        
I own both

kirbyloverdan's profile picture
The ohio and China Hoovers they are equal in quality and build no visible difference at all
in fact the newer China models seem to be more powerful than the Ohio ones .

I have owned Bissell and always the TOL and have always had problems and the machines don't clean as well as a Hoover .

Dan


Post# 299731 , Reply# 23   9/25/2014 at 15:43 (3,472 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        

super-sweeper's profile picture

Mine is a China Hoover, you couldn't tell the difference if it was missing the builders plate!


Post# 299758 , Reply# 24   9/25/2014 at 18:36 (3,471 days old) by Kirbysthebest (Midwest)        
I have had good luck with the Bissell

Like I said it is an old can model, not and upright. Only thing I have ever replaced is the pump, and the hose. Now my Nephew and his wife have owned about 10 Bissell Uprights, and they last about a year at the most. Roughly about two to three uses before they strip a gear or the pump stops working.

I have had the Hoover for five years now, I deep clean the carpets about every three months, and nary a problem has it ever presented. Of course, I always run clean water through after use, leave the tanks off to dry, wash and dry the brushes. I am glad to hear their quality did not suffer, as I am planning to purchase one as a gift for my brother and his wife this Christmas.


Post# 299867 , Reply# 25   9/26/2014 at 17:32 (3,470 days old) by floor-a-matic (somewhere)        

Don't go for the Platinum Collection or MaxExtract Pressure Pro!  Plastic on those are VERY fragile; & fall apart within less than a year.

 

I have a 1999 SpinScrub & still works great


Post# 300163 , Reply# 26   9/29/2014 at 21:14 (3,467 days old) by mr_mom (pittsburgh (PA))        

mr_mom's profile picture
i would never get that modle i dont think its still available i might try a bissell

Post# 300195 , Reply# 27   9/29/2014 at 22:31 (3,467 days old) by gottahaveahoove (Pittston, Pennsylvania, 18640)        
Most of the rugs in my home are 100%wool Chinese carpets.

gottahaveahoove's profile picture
They're supposed to be cold-water-dunked. I sent several out to be professionally cleaned. BUT, with the "extraction", you CAN use a steamer. The rest of the carpeting here is Karastan. My room is snow white (never gets traffic :(... That HOOVER will get a lot of use before Christmas as I'm redoing that room. new paint job, I'm making Roman shades and valances, etc. The rug will get a freshening as well. That carpeting is 21 yrs old... no wear to it at all. Friends have borrowed my steamer... loved it.


Post# 300838 , Reply# 28   10/6/2014 at 13:07 (3,461 days old) by Sanitaire (anchorage, alaska)        

I like my rug dr. I use commercial soap from janitor supply store. My 8 gallon machine that heats the water is the best

Post# 300900 , Reply# 29   10/6/2014 at 23:50 (3,460 days old) by mr_mom (pittsburgh (PA))        

mr_mom's profile picture
I just order the ProHeat 2X® Healthy Home™ Deep Cleaning System 66Q4 it should be here next week

Post# 300931 , Reply# 30   10/7/2014 at 09:49 (3,460 days old) by Dustin (Jackson, MI)        

dustin's profile picture
I have a couple Hoover SteamVacs (original version), and they work fairly well. I have used a Bissell Proheat once (while I was repairing it), and it did fairly well but didn't seem to really deep clean. The best I have used was the original Rug Doctor (Rented red version or the blue home version of the same) Excellent cleaning, large tanks, good extraction. My usual setup is- Wet carpets with Hoover (leaving the recovery tank lid loose so it won't extract the water), scrub with Electrolux B8, Refill the Hoover with clear, hot water and a cup of vinegar, then rinse/ extract the wash water. Let dry and vacuum.

Post# 300976 , Reply# 31   10/7/2014 at 16:53 (3,459 days old) by cuffs054 (monticello, ga)        

My ProHeat is getting old. Always did a good job. Had to tinker with pump and jets last time, not hard. BUT THEN came the KIRBY WONDER MACHINE. To paraphase 'As God as my witness, I shall never have wet rugs again!' Thank you Scarlett.

Post# 301005 , Reply# 32   10/8/2014 at 00:39 (3,459 days old) by mr_mom (pittsburgh (PA))        

mr_mom's profile picture
my neighbor has a rug doctor its a pain to use and a arm workout but my bissell should be here thursday

Post# 301087 , Reply# 33   10/8/2014 at 19:17 (3,458 days old) by jscarlato (Clairton, PA)        

For several years now, I've had the Hoover All Terrain Spin Scrub with the auto rinse feature, and it is a sturdy, well made machine. It has given good results every time I have used it. When my son and his wife bought their house four years ago, mostly all the rooms had (and still do) wall-to-wall carpeting. Before moving in, I helped to clean. I deep cleaned with my Kirby Sentria, and shampooed every carpet with this Hoover. The before and after results were like night and day. The carpets looked like new.

About a year ago, I bought one of the Hoover power scrub 50 carpet washers with "forced heat" from HSN. This is a lighter machine I wanted for smaller jobs. It too is well made, convenient to use, and also does a nice job when used according to directions. These two Hoovers amount to money well spent.


Post# 301095 , Reply# 34   10/8/2014 at 20:29 (3,458 days old) by mr_mom (pittsburgh (PA))        

mr_mom's profile picture
i have the Hoover All Terrain it was given to be i took it to get serviced and clean before i used it and had it for five months and it leaks like a waterfall so i replaced everything on it new hose caddy and nozzle and the brush broke and the prong snapped off inside the gear box

Post# 301097 , Reply# 35   10/8/2014 at 20:33 (3,458 days old) by jscarlato (Clairton, PA)        

In the previous post, I gave good marks to my two Hoover spin scrubs. That doesn't mean I don't like my Kirby rug renovator. The rug renovator is handy for cleaning up surface soil and livening up the carpet. But, when more rug cleaning muscle is needed, the Hoovers are hard to beat.

Post# 301113 , Reply# 36   10/8/2014 at 22:48 (3,458 days old) by super-sweeper (KSSRC Refurbishment Center)        

super-sweeper's profile picture

Kirby is an unstoppable force, Hoover makes them an unstoppable duo! laughing


Post# 301269 , Reply# 37   10/9/2014 at 21:55 (3,457 days old) by thestig ()        
have fun with that pro heat Mr mom

Mr mom you had a lot of people telling you on here that the Bissell pro heat 2x is cap and yet you just bought one the best machine is the royal Ry7910 which by the way we still stock have fun replacing that pump in a year I don't know why you asked us what was the best/worst then go buy the worst and also hoover still makes the same model spin scrub that you liked


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