The little Hoover Hot Spot proved to be not such a hot shot with its chronic leaking, so it was a mixed blessing when it stopped working altogether. It was time to start shopping for a replacement rug cleaner. Many refer to these rug-cleaning machines as steam cleaners though no steam is involved in the cleaning process, only hot water.
We have mostly area rugs so I didn't need an industrial size-cleaning machine. I'm not pleased with either of my Hoover rug cleaners and am very pleased with the performance of the two Bissell machines I've owned. Thus I decided to buy a Bissell carpet cleaner. Bissell, however, has this weird bladder bag inside its water tank for an integration, but separation of dirty and clean water. I don't like the looks of this set up, which limited my Bissell choices to one, the QuickSteamer. I chose the
2080 model over the cheaper 1770 because it's newer, has one more amp, and comes in a more appealing color. The 2080 also has received better reviews than the 1770. Another option is the 2090, which offers hard floor cleaning too.
Bissell QuickSteamer 2080In the box one will find the 2080 broken down into four easy to assemble pieces using three long screws (provided). Also in the box is a 16-ounce bottle of Bissell Fiber Cleansing Solution, "Advanced Formula, with Scotchgard TMfor unbeatable cleaning." Bissell tells us that its cleaning formula may be used not only in Bissell machines, but also in Hoover, Dirt Devil and other full size deep cleaning machines. Yet paradoxically the owner's manual warns against using any other brand of cleaner in Bissell machines. Hoover posts the same warning about xeno-cleaners in its manuals.
I choose to ignore those dire warnings and use whatever I have on hand as long as it's not a petrochemical cleaner.
Features of the Bissell 208020-foot cord
Separate tanks for clean water and dirty water (a must for me)
Easy to use and easy to assemble
Strain reliever handleTM for effortless cleaning (hyperbole?)
Weighs less than 13 pounds (12 pounds actually)
Water tanks easy to empty and fill
Removable nozzle
Quick release cord wrap
Foot controlled on off switch
Dirtlifter Powerbrush®
Large wheels (feel like a big wheel when using this appliance)
Perfect for area rugs
One-year warranty
And in small print on a bottom corner of the box:
MADE IN CHINA
My Experience with the Bissell 2080Assembly - It takes less than three minutes and only the aforementioned three screws to assemble this little machine.
For my first trick I decided to clean the bedroom carpet, a solid light colored target with a few long standing spots. The QuickSteamer is simple to use. Just fill the clean water tank with hot water and detergent and start cleaning. I don't like that the detergent line is on the bottom of the tank. Adding detergent first just makes lots of unwanted suds when hot water is added. I added water first and then guestimated the amount of detergent to add. You don't need as much solution as Bissell suggests.
The rug cleaner is quite loud, but this is to be expected. I have four so-called steam cleaners now, and none are quiet. This QuickSteamer is easy to push and draw back over the carpet. I pretreated the spots with a Hoover product for heavy traffic areas before using the QuickSteamer. Absolutely no harm was done to the Bissell cleaner by my using a Hoover product.
Results - This seldom "steamed" carpet turned out marvelously. All spots disappeared and there was a noticeable difference between the treated and untreated areas of carpet. (And ,yes, I did the rest of the carpet later.)
Anytime I clean the carpets with a water depositing device, I always go over them a second time with a clean water rinse to remove as much as the soap residue as I can. I'm always amazed to observe how dirty the water still is on the second pass. Occasionally I'll do a second rinse if the water is extremely dirty.
Remember this is a small appliance intended for spot cleaning or area rugs. To do our entire bedroom's wall-to-wall carpet would take three or four fillings of the half-gallon water tank. Bissell suggests that an 8' by 8' area can be cleaned before attending to the tanks.
Cleaning our dining room area rug produced the same positive results, the same thrill of seeing all that dirty water in the dirty water tank on the first and second passes.
The QuickSteamer also does a decent job vacuuming up the water. Even on a dark, rainy afternoon, the carpet was dry in three or four hours. I prefer deep cleaning the carpets when the A/C or heat is running to speed drying. A dehumidifier or fan also helps with drying.
Finally - I really like my new carpet toy and have no regrets buying it, especially considering the 20 dollar rebate coming to me from Bissell. I like the cost of this Bissell, its ease of use, and its cleaning performance. If you have wall-to-wall carpet throughout your home and don't want to be bothered with frequent filling and emptying of tanks, buy a larger cleaner. I recommend the QuickSteamer for anyone looking for an inexpensive, light cleaner to clean area rugs and maintain heavy traffic areas. (Don't attempt any street cleaning with this machine.)
A couple nit picks - Yes, the nozzle comes off for cleaning, but most of the carpet fibers I need to clean are under the brush roll that requires the services of a Philips screwdriver
to remove. It's a nuisance. I'm thinking about trying to rinse it out with a garden hose or even use a good water pistol to get up in there. With some maneuvering a rag can be pushed up in the cavity, but it's tedious business. To be fair, my two Hoovers are also a nuisance to clean under the brush roll.
The dirty water tank clips on with two plastic clips. When I removed the clips the first time, they came off completely and I thought I had broken something. Luckily they popped back on.
WARNINGS FROM THE OWNER'S MANUAL -
Do not expose to rain.
Do not pull or carry by cord.
Do not expose hair... to openings or moving parts. (No problem here)
Do not pick up hot or burning objects.
Do not pick up toxic material.
Do not allow to be used as a toy.
USE ONLY CLEANING PRODUCTS FORMULATED BY BISSELL FOR USE IN THIS APPLIANCE TO PREVENT INTERNAL COMPONENT DAMAGE. (Oops. Broke this rule on the first cleaning.)
This unit is for household use only
Also:
Got SpotBot Not Spots..An Amazing MachineRug Doctor Spot Remover Hoover Hot Spot Carpet Cleaner Bona Means Good in Any Language Bona Hardwood Cleaner
Bona Means Good - Bona stone, tile, and laminate floor cleaner.
Bissell Spotlifter Capture - Carpet cleaning kit
Online Vac Shop Eureka SmartVac
