Bissell Carpet Cleaner > Reviews > cleanliness is next to Bisselliness.

Author's product rating:   

Value for Money	Excellent
Ease of Use	very easy
Toxicity	not applicable

Advantages:	Easy to use, quick, convenient .
Disadvantages:	heavy and noisy .

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I feel it necessary to begin by saying that I can't be accused of having a past where cleanliness has featured top of my list in life's priorities, however enough was enough!!

With a BIG dog, a cat and frequently not enough time to notice their legacy around flat, I would be caught out on occasions with a whiff of 'animal' and a grimy looking floor looking back up at me. Having spent a number of days on my hands and knees.....cleaning that is!! Wearing a pair of Marigolds (which incidentally are not available in ANY colour that suits me) and a scrubbing brush, I soon ran, screaming for the nearest shop that sold electric carpet cleaners.

Having found a great deal on a Bissell 'Power wash' Deluxe with rotating brush (approx £100), I was convinced, bought the thing and without delay, got it to work.

First impressions...very easy to fill with separate clean/dirty water tank both in one container. The 'self explanatory' cleaner got to work straight away with it's push button feature to apply the water and added Bissell solution, while you then release and 'vac' over the patch which sucks up the shampoo stuff, whilst the rotating brush gives those carpet fibres a good ol' seeing to. The Power wash also features a added separate 'hose' which is attached to the back and can be used for those stubborn or 'got to get rid of that mark' moments, with it's own applicator and brush too!

I was a bit worried about what happens with pet hairs and other 'bits and bobs' that may not have been vacuumed up first (which is advised) but was reassured when I discovered the very effective filter which stops anything that shouldn't get into the machine, getting in to it. This Bissell is also very easy to clean afterwards too, an empty and rinse of the 'bucket container' and a wipe with a damp cloth and your done! Bliss!! It's worth mentioning that if used correctly, carpets (or hard floors too!) are left very nearly dry and those old whiffs are gone too!

Downs?? Well, I must admit, along with the dog and cat, I was a bit taken aback with the noise, a bit like an aircraft warming up...then again, I wasn't planning washing my carpets at midnight, so what the hell. The other potential difficulty is that I could imagine this machine being a bit on the 'difficult' side to manoeuvre for anyone with issues around mobility. It is quite heavy and as such, may prove troublesome for anyone needing to get it into those corners or around small areas...though the attached hose can do those jobs for you without effort!
You also need to be aware that although a bottle of Bissell carpet shampoo does go a long way (one bottle cleans my 2 bed flat approx 2-3 times throughout) you do need to keep purchasing more. This is not a 'big' issue though as you will spend more on Marigolds and scrubbing brushes, as I found out! ( I don't recall exactly how much they are, but less than a £5)Finally, on the down side, you will need a storage space as it is as clumpy as a large upright vacuum, not a problem though if you care to make a feature of it, as I do:)

All in all, this machine has taken the hard work out of trying to keep my flat smelling clean, with the ease and grace of a vacuum cleaner (well, not far off) and I now don't swear at the animals for...erm...being animals <grin>.