from Las Vegas, NV

I've been in the market for a carpet cleaner for more than 6 months and have done my research during that time. I knew exactly what I wanted and chose this model based on features, price & user reviews. I read hundreds of reviews from multiple sites and this, by far, was always rated best-in-class overall. Also, for me, it was important to have stair & upholstery attachments, rotating brushes (some lower-end models have a stationary brush) and a separate dirty water tank. When Best Buy cut the price for Cyber Monday, it was a no-brainer to jump on the deal. The website stated it was on backorder, but my local store had them in stock so I ordered it & picked it up within an hour. As always, the in-store pickup was quick & easy and the staff very helpful & professional.

Yesterday, I took it out for the first time to do the main living area. I was up against some major challenges: low-grade builder-quality carpet, previous owners, dusty desert living & two dogs. Assembly was simple and took only five minutes. Prior to cleaning, I vacuumed twice to get the majority of dog hair and surface dirt up. Setup was easy... just make sure to follow the instructions and seat the dirty water tank properly (during one emptying cycle, I didn't replace it correctly & noticed the lack of suction immediately). I used a preclean spray & filled the tank halfway with hot tap water then topped it off with near-boiling water.

The machine was a breeze to use and the tanks easy to empty & refill. Yes, as other reviews state, the dirty water tank fills fairly quickly but it only takes 60 seconds to empty, rinse & replace it. After the first section, I was shocked at how much dirt had been pulled up out of the carpet! The dark brown, muddy water was real proof that the machine was doing its job. There was very little dog hair in it so my vacuum had done its job but left a lot of deep down grime which this baby sucked right up. After each back-and-forth wet stroke, I did two sets of dry passes which left the carpet damp but not wet. So, again, the cleaner lived up to the previous reviews & promises of its quick drying capabilities. I didn't use the attachments for this room so can't report on their performance yet.

Once finished, the final cleaning and storing of the machine was far easier than I had imagined. Honestly, I had been dreading it and was very pleased that it took less than five minutes.

My goal was to get just a little more life out of my nearly dead carpet. This machine definitely exceeded that goal. Unlike other reviewers, I'm not going to say my carpets look like they're brand new. Going in, I knew I had waited too long and the floors had seen heavy use. But, aside from a couple high-use areas (front door & area where the dogs lie), the carpets look & feel amazing! Those high-use areas are clean but still a little darker, so I plan to use the brush attachment and a strong spot cleaner on them and am expecting excellent results there as well.

Never again will I have dirty carpets! With the ease-of-use, fast drying & quick clean-up/storage, I expect to maintain the carpets with quarterly cleanings now. I got an unbeatable price on this unit but it's worth far more than the current $149 price tag simply because I don't feel the need to completely re-carpet my entire home anymore and the pros would've charged at least that much. Final note: although I never get extended warranties, Best Buy's $20, 4-year warranty seemed like a good investment so I purchased it knowing this machine would get a lot of use if it fit my needs.

What's great about it: Simple assembly, easy to use, great value, good features, amazing performance

What's not so great: So far nothing, as long as instructions are followed completely and plastic parts/clamps are handled with general care.

I would recommend this to a friend!

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Customer Rating

An amazing machine!

on April 11, 2010

Posted by: Mike28269

from Charlotte, NC

Had some really tough stains on beige carpeting. I had tried everything I could think of to try to clean them. Grease, oil, wine, even soot. I tried every carpet cleaning solution I could find, scubbed with a brush, etc. and nothing was getting the stains out. Before going out to buy new flooring, I researched machines in a last ditch effort to try to clean the existing carpets. From everything I read here and elsewhere, this was the machine to try even above the rental units. Well, I am here to tell you that this machine got every one of the stains out, did it fast and left the rugs dry in less than 20 minutes after cleaning was done. Using the included cleaning fluid did most of the stains but some of the more organic ones required a quick spray with a spot cleaner. I am simply amazed!
So, if you want a machine that has the ability to remove even the toughest stains, is quite reasonably priced and is easy to use this Hoover is the one to buy!

What's great about it: Complete - even includes cleaning solution!

What's not so great: Nothing I could find

I would recommend this to a friend!

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Customer Rating

Great carpet cleaner

on March 18, 2012

Posted by: KB42001

from KY

I have waited until I have had my cleaner for almost a year before I submitted a review. I felt that would give me ample time to determine how well this cleaner would hold up. I have 2 large indoor dogs with one being old and has occassional urine accidents, so I wanted a steam cleaner that would clean AND remove the cleaning solution from my carpets. This cleaner has fulfilled everything I was looking for. It cleans well, is easy to empty the tank and clean and best of all it sucks up the cleaning solution. My previous cleaner did not remove the excess water from the carpet and it took a long time for carpets to dry. I have been more than pleased with this cleaner and if this one ever quits working I will definitely purchase another Hoover product. P.S. I would say that this cleaner has definitely been used a lot and still cleans as well now as it did when I first purchased it. I have paid more for a cleaner that did MUCH less than this one. This has been a great bargain! I would highly recommend this cleaner to anyone that is interested in purchasing a home steam cleaner.

What's great about it: Super Easy to use

What's not so great: I wish the electrical cord was longer

I would recommend this to a friend!

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Customer Rating

94% of the people are right

on March 28, 2011

Posted by: 1mickey1

from reedley, ca

I read all the reviews and decided I would try this one. I made the right choice. This is a super unit. Assembly was easy, but pictures instead of drawings would be much better.
It really sucks up a lot of water and the carpet dried very quickly.
I used the Hoover liquid and the rugs looked as good as the professional.
We had our rugs cleaned a few months ago and vacuum a couple times a week. Was surprised when I started to clean up the machine,
there was a 1/4 inch of mud on the undercarriage.
There are a few things changes that could easily be made that would make it even better.
Have the power cord mount about half way up the handle. Get it off
the floor.
Make the waste tank bigger. It fills up with the solution tank still 1/3 full.
Use a warning light to let you know when you run out of solution.
I figured that if I cleaned my rugs six times in the next two years, I will be at least a thousand dollars to the good.

What's great about it: Almost everything

What's not so great: Nothing yet.

I would recommend this to a friend!

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Customer Rating

This steam vac sucks - literally

on December 27, 2010

Posted by: dburkski

from dburkski

Purpose for purchasing a steam vac - chocolate lab with jealousy issues with his 15mo old 'sister'.

I purchased this steam vac as a response to my dog 'christening' each new item we bought for our daughter. I continually clean up after him with hand scrubbing followed by the shop vac. It appeared to work well, but his misbehavior has gotten worse, thus the need for a proper cleaning system.

Initally, I researched a number of websites and narrowed the selection down to this Hoover steam vac and one made by Bissell. To my amazement, this steam vac had 1200 reviews on Amazon, 90% of whic h were 5 star ratings. I found the lowest price at Walmart and Best Buy agreed to price match. I paid $139 and spent $15 for a 4 year warranty. I also used a $15 Rewards coupon. I would highly recommend the warranty for something like this. After all, it's job is to clean up some filthy stuff, so 4 years of piece of mind is a bargain for $15. I plan to use this a lot and get my money's worth.

Pros - It just does the job of a professional. I spent $200 9 months ago for a professional to clean my carpets. After today, this steam vac has paid for itself (minus two hours of my time). Not only did it clean just as well as the pro, but the carpet has dried much faster. This steam vac has returned my carpets to their original state. I put my nose into the carpet and could not detect a foul smell, where 24hrs ago was tagged by my dog. Just amazing.

Cons - Nothing really, other than the instructions for converting it for use with the hand tool...it could be better or feature better diagrams. The hand tool works great.

Tip: To get the water super heated, I poured water in my coffee maker (minus the coffee, of course) and added that hot water to the clean water tank.

What's great about it: Overall performance - it does what you expect it to

What's not so great: Read directions carefully and repeadedly prior to first use

I would recommend this to a friend!

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Customer Rating

Gets out dirt that has been there forever!

on October 21, 2011

Posted by: Grammie25

from New Hampshire

Well, I hate to admit it, but due to illness in the family and a crazy work schedule it has been 5 years since my carpets were cleaned! Vac'd twice a week but cleaned...no time! I have a busy household with kids and grandkids who are in and out all the time.....I don't make them take their shoes off...may change my mind now! Have had 2 older dogs and 1 cat with "problems" as they got older...and there were some stains I could not get out. Overall, carpet looked ok (Berber) but I KNEW how dirty it was!
After researching carpet cleaners and reading the high reviews on the Hoover I decided to purcahse on.....And I JUST LOVE IT!!!! Have only had time to one room and a high traffic hallway......but it does just what it says! Carpet looks like new...smells good...and is practically dry when I am done.

What's great about it: light weight...easy to use....works GREAT!!!!

What's not so great: assembly directions are terrible.....

I would recommend this to a friend!

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Customer Rating

Good quality for money paid

on March 22, 2012

Posted by: Avitas

from Plainsboro

This cleaner has great suction and does a good job cleaning. The carpet is damp when finished and dries in a few hours. It is also recommended to make multiple passes without using the solution to suck up excess moisture.

It is really not a "steam" cleaner however. The water is as hot as the water you use to make the solution and the device does not heat it any further.

I have found that using OxiClean in the machine does a better job than the solution that comes with it.

I would recommend this to a friend!

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Customer Rating

Great carpet cleaner. Better than expected

on June 20, 2012

Posted by: gs26

from Mobile, Alabama

One of the best carpet cleaners we have ever used. It does better than the rentals. This is the 3rd carpet cleaner we have had. We bought the 4 year extended warranty, which I strongly suggest. It does a great job but the plastic parts tend to wear out, especially in the hand held attachments. We have 3 dogs and are cleaning carpets constantly. Great for pet stains. For hard floors, you need to purchase an additional squeegee part, which does not come with it. After 2-3 years, the unit starts to break down but we have had it replaced each time under warranty. You will be greatly pleased in the job it does but don't expect it to last more than 2-3 years.

What's great about it: Does an excellent cleaning job and easy to use.

What's not so great: Plastic parts tend to wear out or break within 2 years - buy an extended warranty.

I would recommend this to a friend!

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