A few days ago we got a carpet shampooer, a Eureka Atlantis model 2591A. The manual calls it a carpet steamer, but there is no steam involved, only hot water.
This unit comes fully assembled, and includes a tool caddy where the 8ft hose, upholstery attachment, and hard floor attachments are stored. It also comes with a 16oz bottle of Eureka Multi Surface cleaning concentrate.
The most unique feature of this carpet cleaner is the handle, which folds down onto the main unit, making it take less space for storage. The tool caddy can sit atop of the folded unit, or hang on a wall.
There are 3 tanks involved in cleaning. One tank holds clean hot water, one holds dirty water, while a third smaller tank holds the carpet shampoo. Some other carpet cleaners don't have a separate shampoo tank, so you can't quickly change to a rinse setting. This one has a level to adjust the level of shampoo, or in the rinse setting, only water is used. This helps get the shampoo residue out of the carpet.
Using the cleaner is rather straightforward. First, you should use a regular vaccum cleaner to get the bigger particles and loosen dirt. Then you fill the clean water tank with not water (not boiling), and the shampoo bottle. Then turn on the power switch to suction or brushes. The brushes mode uses suction as well as sideways agitating brushes. Slowly push the machine forward as you hold the spray button. Pull it back, and you start to see dirty water travelling up the clear suction chamber. For some strange reason I find it quite interesting to look at. It also lets you know what areas to work on more.
After I did a small section of carpet (maybe 40 sq ft), I removed the dirty water tank. The dirty water was only about an inch high, when I had used maybe 4 inches of clean water from the other tank, and about 8 oz of shampoo. So, it can't really get much of the water out, but the area was dry the next day.
This machine also has sponge and squeegee attachments for hard floors. I haven't tried those yet. Overall, I like this machine, but I've never tried any other carpet cleaners before. It seems to get mostly positive reviews on the net, which is why I chose it.
For more information, please visit
http://www.eureka.comYou spent your money for something that will ultimatly not do what you want it to do.
