Carpet Cleaner - Which One?

poshboy

Hi,

We've just moved into our new home and some of the carpets could do with some cleaning. We thought about hiring a rug doctor, but at £45 we thought it would be better long term to buy a carpet cleaner. We've narrowed it down to two and wondered if any of you had either and could recommend as we're struggling to choose.

The options are - Vax Rapide Ultra W90-RU-B - £129 Amazon
or
Bissell Cleanview Powerbrush 44L6E - £150 Currys

We wanted one with an attachment as the corners and sides of rooms need cleaning and we'd like to use it on the stairs too at some point.

Your opinions would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Poshboy

warwicktiger

I am a retired therefore ex professional carpet cleaner.

The following are personal comments

Don't waste your time with the rug doctor.
Vax are ok for occaisional domestic use, but like all non professional machines do not have the power for a deep down clean, so by all means go ahead and keep for spots and spills later.

When you have used it, repeat the whole process with NO detergent or cleaning fluid in the machine, the only way you will get a decent rinse and not leave cleaning solvents in the machine.

Melaniep101

We bought a Bissell about 5 years ago that's always done a good job, can't remember the model though.

poshboy

Thanks warwicktiger and Melanie. Yeah kind of glad we've ruled out the rugdoctor. I have heard some bad stories.
We're leaning towards the Bissell for reliability reasons. Whilst the Vax gets good reviews as well, quite a few comments talk about bad reliability and I'm not seeing that so much with the Bissell.

warwicktiger

Fine, if you get the chance do the whole house before the furniture arrives. If you are non-smokers and the previous occupants smoked it is worth seeking out the de-odourisers the trade uses, I used to do end of tennancies where the agent/landlord/new tennant could not detect the smokers residues! (sorry, just re-read original post, too late!)

rds60h

poshboy wrote: »

Thanks warwicktiger and Melanie. Yeah kind of glad we've ruled out the rugdoctor. I have heard some bad stories.
We're leaning towards the Bissell for reliability reasons. Whilst the Vax gets good reviews as well, quite a few comments talk about bad reliability and I'm not seeing that so much with the Bissell.

Most of the reliability problem reviews are for a particular model, I think it was a Vax Rapide Spring Clean, I don't think I have ever heard or seen a bad review for the Vax Rapide Ultra W90-RU-B

Ebe_Scrooge

I've had a Bissell for years, best investment I've ever made. They're not the cheapest, but certainly work well. You can also get factory reconditioned ones ( just google for factory reconditioned Bissell ) to make a saving.

I like having my own cleaner, as opposed to hiring one. When the kids spill a drink, or trudge muddy shoes all over the place ( or are sick !! ), just whip it out and deal with it there and then. If you want to give the whole house a thorough clean, wait until it's a weekend when the weather is good, then do the whole lot and leave all the windows open to let it blow through. You can choose when to do it, rather than having to book the hire in advance.

No, the machine doesn't leave the carpets completely dry, but it's pretty good, and as I say, a couple of hours with the windows open and it's fine.

I borrowed a friend's Vax once, it didn't seem as good. Just seemed less powerful, and didn't seem to clean as well.

Oh, and you don't need to buy the "special" shampoo made by the manufacturer. Any carpet shampoo will do just fine in any machine, places like B&Q or Homebase etc. will sell loads of different brands.

tony6403

Ebe_Scrooge wrote: »

I've had a Bissell for years, best investment I've ever made. They're not the cheapest, but certainly work well. You can also get factory reconditioned ones ( just google for factory reconditioned Bissell ) to make a saving.


.

This is very good advice. Just checked on Which Magazine and one of their best buys is a Bissell Powerwash which new is about £200.
What seems to be the same machine on the Bissell recon. website (with same guarantee as new model) is £80.

sparrer

I have 3 animals and was paying a company to come in and clean the cream carpets every year. After much research I've recently bought a recon Vax Rapide Ultra 2 W90 RU P for £89 with a one year manufacturers warranty. I've just used it on the lounge carpet and am thrilled with how easy it is to use, the difference in colour and how dry it left the carpet. Apparently the company is the only one in UK affiliated to the manufacturers and all the reviews I read before buying give an average 4.5 stars. I can't knock any other brand as I have no knowledge of them, so good luck with whatever you buy

[Deleted User]

The four Which? best buys are all Bissel. The nine "Don't Buys" are from Vax, Swan and Hoover, but also includes another 4 Bissel cleaners.

The four best Bissels are:
34T2E
"Deep Clean Deluxe"
3278E
1827E