23 out of 23 people found this review helpful.
Cleans well with only water!
Date of Review: Aug 24, 2003
The Bottom Line: Searching for an alternative to "wet pad cleaners"? This unit cleans well and lives up to expectations, while using only water and leaving no residue.
The first question you should ask is why you are planning to purchase this product. Is it for convenience, deep cleaning, or is it better than alternative products? If you are focussed on the first two questions, I would say, go out and get this unit, if you are comparing it to, say, a Swiffer Wet Jet, or similar unit, you should weigh your options. Either way, I hope to give enough description so that you can make an educated choice.
Set-up:
The Bissell mop unit is easy to set up, two Phillips screws and a simple to attach mop cover (two included). (Figure on 5-15 minutes, depending on your skills.) The instructions are simple and to the point, so there is no mystery in figuring out how to use the unit.
Using the mop:
The first step recommended by the manufacturer is that you dry mop the floor first. I have to say, this is an essential step. I quickly picked up all loose dirt with a Swiffer duster and then was ready to go. When you first use the unit the manufacturer states in the instruction that steam will not occur for about 15-30 seconds. As stated, steam didn't start for 20 seconds. Once it began, you could hear a faint sound, indicating that the steam was flowing.
Mopping the floor was quite easy, although not effortless. I was slightly disappointed that the mop didn't glide across the floor as I had anticipated, and was also a little heavier than expected. The movement of the mop equated to pushing a damp towel across the floor, which is essentially what it is. However, once you get accustomed to the feel, you can move at a reasonable pace.
My first few swipes on the floor were just on residual dirt, nothing difficult. When I reached the section where my 1 year old twins eat, I was impressed by the way the unit cut through the "sticky areas" where food had dropped and/or was dried to the floor. By slowing down only slightly, the unit cleaned the floor perfectly.
Clean up:
Essentially there was nothing to do, except for drain the remaining water from the tank, wrap the cord, and put away.
Weighing your options:
The top benefits of getting this unit are, in my opinion, the following: ease of use, no required cleaning solutions, no single use pads, and a reasonable price. I'm one who will overstock on the disposable cleaning supplies, such as pads and detergents, and appreciated that this unit only needed water and the mop pads could be machine washed. Also, if you have any chemical sensitivities, this machine is for you. The manufacturer recommends using distilled water to preserve the mineral filter, but tap water will work, although using this will require eventual replacement of the filter. Where I will get these filters, I'm not quite certain.
I purchased this unit based on the fact that I wanted a simple way to clean bathroom and kitchen floors., and was initially looking at one of the wet units, such as the Chlorox or Swiffer Wet Jet. Previously, I had tried a box of Swiffer Wet pads and was severely disappointed. In both the kitchen and the bathroom, the Swiffer Wet pad required vigorous scrubbing and multiple passes, all while the pad dried out. A friend had recommended the Clorox wet unit and stated that it worked better than the pads, but when I saw this unit, I thought I would give it a try. In the long run, the costs would be very similar, or the Bissell unit would probably end up being cheaper.
Bottom Line:
This unit isn't a household miracle; it still requires some effort. I was pleased with the way it cleaned and felt it lived up to expectations. Additionally, I liked the way it only needed water and left no residue. Would one of the wet units be comparable? Probably, but as I said earlier, it will depend on your reasons for purchasing one of these systems for you decide which one meets your needs.
