Thread: Consumer Reports tests carpet cleaning machines

Press Release:

WOW! 3 Billion dollar pie. Hope you got some of yours. Not a very good test just throwing soil down but at least they admitted nothing beats a professional.


Consumer Reports tests carpet cleaning machines

KUSA - We spent more than $3 billion in just one year on professional carpet and upholstery cleaning. But you can save a lot of money if you want to tackle the task on your own.



Just in time for spring cleaning, Consumer Reports tested eight carpet-cleaning machines from Bissell and Hoover. Prices ranged from $80 to $400. Testers also evaluated a rental machine. For comparison, they hired a professional service, too.

Testing carpet-cleaning machines is a dirty job. First, testers evenly spread a measured amount of topsoil over the carpet. Next, they spray it with water, and then use a heavy roller to press in the dirt, much like foot traffic does. Testers then vacuum the dried dirt and use a device called a colorimeter to measure the amount left on each rug.

Afterwards it is time to put the carpet-cleaning machines to work. Each one passes over the soiled area 20 times. Last step, the colorimeter measures the difference.

No home machines or rented ones did as good a job cleaning as the professional service. You can really see the difference when comparing the professional cleaning to the lowest scoring carpet cleaner, the $80 Bissell QuickSteamer 1770.

Nevertheless, Consumer Reports did find a carpet cleaner that delivered very good results. It's the Hoover Dual Steam Vac All Terrain with spin scrub brushes, model F7452-900. It costs $270. That's just a fraction of what you'd pay for professional cleaning jobs.

Consumer Reports also tested cleaning solutions and spot cleaners. For carpet-cleaning machines, if a cleaning solution is not specified, try the top-rated Fresh Solutions Allergen Complete cleaner. It costs about $17.

If you are just looking to do some spot cleaning, testers recommend the Bissell OxyPro Carpet Spot and Stain Remover that costs about $5.

(Copyright © 2006-2010 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.)

Found this on consumer reports:

Carpet cleaner guide

While today's carpets resist stains and soiling better than ever, no carpet is fully stain-proof. Professional cleaning, recommended every 12 to 18 months, does the best job.


Regular vacuum cleaners remove loose dirt, but they hardly touch the dirt and oils that stick to carpet fibers. (Home)Carpet cleaners are supposed to go a step further: They typically spray on a detergent, sometimes working it in with moving brushes then vacuum up the dirty solution.

A machine's effectiveness depends in part on how aggressively it scrubs to loosen dirt and how powerfully its suction pulls dirt in. But too much aggressiveness could damage carpeting. (Powerful suction doesn't pose such a problem.) Some of the machines we've tested don't get at dirt at the bottom of a carpet, but instead remove mainly what you see near the surface.

so a small home steam machine won't rival a truckmount?

shocker!