P.C. wrote:
The consumer reports list the Hoover SteamVac as # 1 with the Bissell ProHeat running a close 2nd.
Stretch, I think it's a given, that a pro is going to do a better job. But I'd be a little bit ashamed to mention how often I do that. So with a 'lesser quality' home cleaner, done on a more regular basis.... it has got be better than nothing at all.[/DIV]
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Firstly, consumer reports is a completely biased POS magazine. It always puts American manus near the top. I've seen this several times with regards to several items. Last time was with regards to vacuums. They put Hoover up there with Samsung. But the Samsung machine was rated way higher by "independent" consumer review reports.
Secondly, as I previously wrote, these "layperson" machines fool us to think our carpets are clean. And if you look superficially at a carpet post cleaning, it will look clean. But only on the surface. Reality will be that if you look "at the roots" you'll see your carpets are no cleaner. You will have mostly just pushed the dirt in, and made it all wet. These machines don't suck it up well enough, that's why they are cheap, compared to professional. Can you say MOLD! Do yourself a favour and bring in a pro. And especially for these two rooms that have probably never had the carpets professionaly cleaned. Go to DV for reviews of local (Metro Vancouver) carpet cleaners.
Good Luck!