The Hoover SteamVac SpinScrub F5918900 wet/dry vacuum works really well when it comes to dirt. Okay, so it may not function exactly the same as your "traditional" wet/dry vac. But this big boy works like a professional cleaner when it comes to carpet and upholstery. And it's a "must have" if you have children or pets, especially if you want to prolong the life of your carpet and have it looking and smelling clean along the way.

What's so great about this machine is the way the five SpinScrub brushes work -- much like a power toothbrush, scrubbing carpet fibers on all sides to gently loosen dirt. You can dispense extra solution via the Clean Surge button for high traffic areas, hard-to-clean spots or especially soiled areas of carpet. A heated cleaning feature applies heat directly to where it's needed most. The two tank system -- one for clean water and one for dirty water -- ensures that you never reuse dirty water when cleaning your carpet. This upright vacuum look-alike includes three cycles: spill pick up, gentle scrub or power scrub. The machine also functions as a wet vac, picking up liquid spills of 1 gallon or less. And the onboard tools give you the versatility to clean bare floors, upholstery, stairs and spot cleaning.

We first used the SpinScrub on a section of carpet soiled with ground in mud and pet stains. The recovery tank holding the dirty water was like a mud puddle after a rainstorm. The carpet was not only clean, it was also several shades lighter and brighter than before. The machine is almost as easy to use as a regular vacuum cleaner. When the recovery tank gets full, a red plastic ball pops up indicating it's time to empty the 1-gallon tank. Once you dump the dirty water, just rinse the tank and pop it back in place.

This is an affordable and easy-to-use dream machine that is every dirty carpet's nightmare. That's why the Hoover SteamVac SpinScrub F5918900 earns our Budget Buy designation.


Pros: Easy to use, really sucks out dirt, works like a professional cleaner, easy cleanup, onboard tool storage, heated cleaning and clean surge option to clean stains and heavy traffic areas, cleans floors, carpets and upholstery, 24-foot cord and 8-foot attached hose extend reach for cleaning stairs, also functions as a wet vac
Cons: A bit heavy when carrying up stairs

Warranty
1 year