Carpet washers/vacuum cleaners

[x-ray]

I am contemplating buying a Carpet washer/cleaner and was wondering if anybody had experience with one.
I have been looking at a Vax Rapide model and would appreciate any comments from users of this or any other type or make.
I am hoping to restrict the cost to a maximum of £100 - I am not really interested in the more expensive models, although no doubt they are more efficient.

[EvianBaby]

I bought a Vax hoover the other day direct from them but found it was handy to do a Google of the product code with the word 'reviews' at the end before I bought it. For my model there were thousands of reviews on various sites but it gave me a good indication of what I can expect.

[rowanwitch]

had a vax rapide for ages really made a difference but the cleaning solutions are quite expensive. friends liked to borrow it so the deal was if they borrowed it they bought a bottle of solution

[rowanwitch]

Forgot to say price does make a difference we paid about £129 I think I know someone who has a bottom of the range one and it isn't as good

[friedgreentomato]

ooo I am also thinking of getting one and was wondering if they get rid of old stains as well?

Look at the original factory shop they are cheap?

[EvianBaby]

It's a shame you guys didn't see the link I posted the other day. Vax had a huge sale on with up to 80% off but it ended yesterday :(

[rowanwitch]

be prepared to do a little manual spot cleaning first on really bad spill marks and prepared to be horrified at how much crud gets sucked out... also be prepared to go over in suck mode a few extra times as the last bits of moisture seem to carry a lot more muck

[johnny37]

I have a Vax model 6131 cylinder. Im sure the uprights work fine with carpets but I think there is a problem with the liquid needing frequent changing. I believe they cannot be used for hard floors. The 6131 works fine for both. I use it mainly for the kitchen hard floor with the addition of a hard floor head. I dont use the reservoir for the hard floor function as it also has a limited amount of liquid. I put the liquid in a bucket and put it down using a mop, then suck up with the hard floor head. They are always on special offer somewhere. I did notice the recent offer as I am on their email contact list. Check out the internet, even ebay. They are usually well under £100.

[x-ray]

Many thanks for all your comments - very helpful.
I am considering buying a Vax V-022 Rapid Spruce locally (for £79.99)
It's amazing how many different models there are and the variations in price too.
I particularly want it for cleaning the carpet and not for hard floors.
Again - thanks for your replies.

[gingejbee]

The latest Which? (April 2012) has a test of these - the Vax Rapide V-026 at about £100 didn't do well at all. The Vax Rapide Ultra 2 W90 did very well - at £240! All those that performed well cost at least this.

[Wak]

I bought a Bissell Power Wash Pro in 2010 for just under £100 and it's an excellent machine. You could always check these out too as an alternative?

[x-ray]

Thanks Wak for that info.
Looked up on the internet for Bissell together with reviews and have just ordered a PowerWash PowerBrush select from BIssell - as you say just under £100 - (1p under in fact)
Hopefully she will be happy with it !!!!
Thanks to everybody who replied

[woofgang]

I would say go for bissell too.

[EvianBaby]

Wish I'd gone for Bissell. I'm still waiting for my Vax despite them promising it will be delivered tomorrow at the latest. They've said that three days in a row. And they claim it's been dispatched but I haven't received the confirmation e-mail cos the courier hasn't scanned it yet. Yeah right!

Sorry, just felt the need to whinge a little.

[x-ray]

Sorry to hear that Evian, hope you get it soon.
I ordered mine yesterday and have had an e-mail today to say it has been despatched, but of course that only means the wheels have been put in motion.
It is always difficult to tie down the supplier exactly when one can expect delivery. A couple of years ago I waited about 3 weeks for an order on the internet from Amazon despite being told it would be with me in two days.