bit-tech Shopping: Hoover SteamVac F5914-900 Steam Cleaner

• Extension Hose
• Hand Tool

Rating: 10

Time with product: 2 Weeks

Strengths: Seperate tanks, reasonable price, cleans and extracts wonderfully!

Weaknesses: Tanks could be bigger but still better than Bissell!

Summary: I owned a Bissell pro heat with all the bells and whistles for about 2 years. I have 2 cats and a poorly house broken dog so I steam my carpet every 2/3 weeks.The Bissell was ok, it scrubbed and wet the carpet with really hot water great but it never extracted very well, and the extraction is what gets the dirt out. The Bissell would just sort of push the dirt down to the bottom and wash the upper part so it would look good for a day. Eventualy the carpet started to smell like mildew when it was dry. Then one day it broke, just stopped putting out water. The pump broke, and for $180 I could replace it, uh no thanks! Instead I bought this Hoover and WOW! Not only does this basic model clean better than my hi priced Bissell it sucks back up nearly all the water barely leaving the carpet damp! And wow was that water Black! I went over it several times with cleaner then just water and I must have had 10gal of black water! The tanks are a little small (still bigger than bissells stupid badder design) so I was having to empty it often but it's so easy it's not a big deal. Really really good cleaner. I will never buy a Bissell again, even the repair guy said Bissells break all the time, Hoovers are ment to last!

Rating: 2

Time with product: 3 Months

Strengths: Good suction

Weaknesses: Does not get stains out.

Summary: I am not happy with my Hoover Steam Vac. This machine might look like it has everything to clean your carpet, but it does not. It is great at sucking, but it does not clean the carpet surface. So I have to say Hoover sucks but does not clean.

Rating: 4

Time with product: 18 Months

Strengths: Does good job of cleaning when it is working properly.

Weaknesses: Cheap plastic construction that breaks easily and seals fail quickly.

Summary: We have had two Hoover upright carpet cleaners and both have done a good job of cleaning the carpet. The first we had for several years until it began to fail and not do the job. However we picked up the new model shown here and have been very disappointed with the quality of the machine. In less than 18 months, with only three uses, the recovery tank seal failed allowing the vacuum power to escape. Even worse, the main motor housing seal failed as did the seal on the upholstery wand pump. I took the decorative plastic housing off and couldn't believe what I was seeing. I had been trying to clean my car upholstery but instead had to watch as all of the cleaning mix ran down my driveway. It does a GREAT job of cleaning, but the workmanship has deteriorated to the point that this machine is now in the disposable class. Too bad.

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: still works well

Weaknesses: power diminishing slightly

Summary: this is a follow up from a review i wrote back in feb 07.i still have the machine and it still works quite well.still have not had to replace anything, or open it up.the brushes are stating to wear out, but thats ok. they are a magnet for pet hair and the like and get comed clean from time to time. one thing i have noticed, the speed of rotaion of the brushes has slowed down over time. this may be a reason for me to open it, but not yet.as far as im concerned this is probably the best of the bunch for the money. stick the bissel in the trash and get one of these. they work better for longer and last longer too.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 1 Days

Strengths: ease of use/not too pricey

Weaknesses: none noticed

Summary: Not too pricey, easy to assemble,use; MUCH quicker than waiting for carpet cleaning "professionals" after torrential rains/flooding :)Smells very fresh in area after use. Wish I'd had my epiphany sooner.