Just in the nick of time...I think!
Written: Oct 05 '00 (Updated Oct 06 '00)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: TurboBrush is handy, easy to assemble
Cons: Came broken, Tank-in-Tank spills easily
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| katykev's Full Review: Bissell 1698-1 PowerSteamer ProHeat Plus Upright... |
Our carpet was in desperate need of a steam clean. With three children...lots of juice, pee, ice pops, etc--our carpet was dirtier than it was clean.
I saw an offer on the Internet for a free 30-day trial for the Bissell Powersteamer Proheat Heated Solution Deep Cleaner 1698 Series -120V. There was no shipping charge to us and the return shipping was free too--could I lose? I thought not. I had checked Epinions and the rating seemed okay.
With a click and a credit card the Powersteamer would soon be ours.
The Powersteamer arrived via UPS. The box was a bit damaged but I decided to inspect it later. Well later came sooner than expected. While downstairs putting in a load of laundry, the baby--in his jumper--had a blowout. Okay, imagine jumper, baby, and poo--ground poo in carpet and baby’s toes.
I immediately opened the box and began to assemble it, bathe baby and read instructions. Assembly was fairly easy, a few screws and you are there. Thank goodness it came with cleaning samples!
I filled the tank with hot water, as instructed. It is an interesting concept called, Tank-in-Tank. There is a bladder for clean water, which empties as you clean, and the dirty water collects in the tank outside the bladder.
The Tank-in-Tank sits in the base of the machine. Easy enough--except when you are lifting the tank out. It isn't very steady and I dumped all the dirty water right back on to my carpet.
Other features of the Powersteamer include SmartTemp. It says the temperature control automatically heats the cleaning solution as it is being applied to the carpet to "safely optimize cleaning effectiveness." I guess I found it hard to believe that it was hot enough (there is an indicator light) right from the tap. Maybe I was just too pessimistic.
SmartMix claims to provide "custom control for each cleaning job." There are three settings, Water Only, Normal and High Traffic.
The other feature is the Dirtlifter PowerBrush designed to "enhance cleaning performance." They say it has a floating suspension--which seems neat--that self-adjusts to all carpet heights.
The Powersteamer has several cleaning attachments. These include a 4" Upholstery Tool, a Tough Stain Brush, a PreTreat Wand, Bare Floor Attachment and a Spraying Crevice Tool. I haven't figured out all of their functions just yet...and may never! I did, however, use the TurboBrush.
The TurboBrush is a nice feature. The TurboBrush is attached to the flexible hose--allowing you to get down on the floor and into the dirt. It has two positions "BRUSH" and "SUCTION." There is a spray trigger to spray cleaner directly on those difficult--ground in dirt spots.
The machine is easily cleaned. Dump the Tank-in-Tank in the sink (preferably without dumping the dirty water on the floor), rinse and dry the tools. Pretty simple.
I am not thrilled with the Proheat Plus. The handle release to adjust the upright came broken. Bissell has offered to repair it. But I don't like the idea of a new product broken and then repaired. If they send me a "NEW" one I will try it again.
While the Proheat Plus met my immediate need that day, I am not impressed with the area I cleaned with it. But that poo stain may have been beyond its capabilities. It is difficult to use on stairs. And I cannot get the area on the vacuum itself, above the DirtLifter PowerBrush clean. It is nasty looking with all sorts of dirt stuck in it.
The product comes with a one year warranty, Bissell will repair or replace, free of charge, any part which is defective or malfunctioning within one year of purchase (or in my case delivery date).
As I said, I do not want a brand new machine repaired. So I have to phone Bissell and have it out with them or send the Proheat Steamer Plus back--at their expense.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
katykev
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Location: Hingham, MA USA
Reviews written: 11
Trusted by: 1 member
About Me:
Stay at home mom to 3 great kids aged 6.5, 3 and 1.
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