best carpet shampooer/steamer on the market?

[slag]

We have an older hoover steam vac plus 1200 (6 yrs old or so) that is showing its age. I'm in the market for a newer carpet cleaner of that type but am not sure what to get. The reviews for the hoover steamvac dual V and similar ones all say the tank cracks and is a pos. The reviews for the bissell model all say its delicate and that the tank is too small.. much too small.

So.. what do you use and does it work well? I'd like to keep it around $249.00 or less if possible..

 

[akshatp]

Originally posted by: slag
We have an older hoover steam vac plus 1200 (6 yrs old or so) that is showing its age. I'm in the market for a newer carpet cleaner of that type but am not sure what to get. The reviews for the hoover steamvac dual V and similar ones all say the tank cracks and is a pos. The reviews for the bissell model all say its delicate and that the tank is too small.. much too small.

So.. what do you use and does it work well? I'd like to keep it around $249.00 or less if possible..

Strange figure? So if it were $250, you would automatically write it off as a choice? Just curious.

 

[slag]

most are priced at $299, $249, or $199.00 price points

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

I heard Cleveland makes a pretty good steamer, but I don't have first hand experience

 

[KarenMarie]

Text

I have had that for years now and i am pretty pleased with it.

I smoke and I have a house full of cats. I have gotten very good results with it.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I have a rug doctor that my dad picked up for $200 from a local grocery store that rents them. I think these things sell for ~$1000 new and this one works perfectly so far. Looking for deals at rental locations might get you a professional quality steam cleaner within your budget. You might not be able to get this kind of deal often but it's something to look for anyway.

 

[BUTCH1]

Originally posted by: KarenMarie
Text

I have had that for years now and i am pretty pleased with it.

I smoke and I have a house full of cats. I have gotten very good results with it.

I've got one of those too, it works well, the built in heater helps a lot on those
" tough" stains IE: dog pukes on rug....

 

[fitzov]

I'd say rent an industrial one.

 

[runzwithsizorz]

Originally posted by: KarenMarie
Text

I have had that for years now and i am pretty pleased with it.

I smoke and I have a house full of cats. I have gotten very good results with it.

I also have this model, but it is cheaply built and easy to damage,(as most home units are).
I now use the Hoover spin scubber, it is better built, also has heat, lighter,more manuverable, and its opposite rotating brushes do a better job. just my 2 cents

 

[RU482]

Cleveland Steamer

 

[DrPizza]

Originally posted by: slag
most are priced at $299, $249, or $199.00 price points

Darn. I have the perfect shampooer/steamer, but it was $249.99. *Just* out of your price range.


incidentally, re: rug doctor above...
We rented one a few times, and it did a much better job than the 2 or 3 hundred dollar one we purchased (I forget which brand; hoover? Bissel? well known brand though)

 

[slag]

renting isnt really an option. With 2 young children and 2 dogs who sometimes make messes, renting just isnt feasible. I might use it 2-3 times a week on small things.

The rug doctor I rented before was a chore to use and not that great... shrug. maybe I got a lemon? It was back in early 90 or 91 iirc.

I'll keep looking and thanks for all the advice.

 

[slag]

i picked up a bissel proheat 2x and its so much better than my old hoover steamvac was. This actually deep cleans the carpet with the beater brush much better than those slow rotating brushes do on the other brands.


Used it about 4 hours so far. Only con so far is that the fill/empty bins are actually 1 bin that share a space on the bissel where on the hoover they were 2 separate containers.

 

[JEDI]

Originally posted by: slag
We have an older hoover steam vac plus 1200 (6 yrs old or so) that is showing its age. I'm in the market for a newer carpet cleaner of that type but am not sure what to get. The reviews for the hoover steamvac dual V and similar ones all say the tank cracks and is a pos. The reviews for the bissell model all say its delicate and that the tank is too small.. much too small.

So.. what do you use and does it work well? I'd like to keep it around $249.00 or less if possible..

i have the red devil steamer from walmart. not bad for $99

arent they all the same?

spray solution onto carpet, suck up solution?

if not all the same, why is one better than the other?

 

[slag]

heat of water, agitation, degree of suction, attachments, etc.