BISSELL SpotBot Hands-Free Compact Deep Carpet Cleaner, 1200B
by Bissell
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of BISSELL SpotBot Hands-Free Compact Deep Carpet Cleaner, 1200B
Customer Review: Pure Magic!
Summary: 5 Stars
I love this machine! Yes, it goes through the formula stupidly fast, and, yes, that stuff is expensive, but the SpotBot itself is pure genius!
We have a very light, low pile carpet on which it works wonders. I would guess that those people who complain of "clean rings" have relatively dirty carpets to begin with (my carpet is less than two months old, which means the stains I have are only mildly set in). Also, the use of the Oxy-Gen, or any other oxygenated product, increases the likelihood of some bleaching of the carpet. They are, in effect, non-chlorinated bleaches, so don't use them. It's not necessary, anyway, in my experience. I have removed everything from oil residue tracked in by the moving company's dollys to deep pink white grape raspberry juice to cocktail sauce that set overnight WITHOUT the use of said products. I also don't have those rings.
Speaking of the formulas, the Little Green formula (which is not the same as Simple Green as an older review suggests) works fantastically. Then again, so does the generic carpet cleaner from my local Sam's Club, which comes in a gigantic bottle and is then severely diluted, making it cost next to nothing.
For oblong or odd-shaped stains, I use the manual hose rather than move the SpotBot around every three minutes. Even with carpal tunnel syndrome, I don't struggle to clean manually, as the product is just very well-made.
Oh, and it's not heavy, unless you just really aren't accustomed to lifting anything at all. Bags of groceries easily weigh more than the SpotBot. In fact, I had to get after my two-year-olds for moving it one day when it was sitting there beeping after finishing a cycle.
It would be nice if it beeped or something when the cleaning solution was out and when the dirty tank was full, but I suppose if you just pay attention, it's not a big deal. It's never squirted dirty water or anything, but it will stop sucking if the dirty tank gets too full. (And, yes, there's a line showing you exactly what is too full. I just get distracted easily.) :-]
As for Amazon's service, this product was on sale when I purchased it ($25 off of certain items costing more than $125), with free shipping. I received it approximately 36 hours after ordering it. That is amazing service that keeps me a returning customer!
All is all, my husband and I love this product! I couldn't imagine that something that didn't require work on my part could work so well, but I have been plesantly surprised. We have twin 25-months-olds, and with the potty training process about to begin, I am confident that my carpet will remain spot- and odor-free.
I'm adding the following to my review: After having the SpotBot for one year, the motor on automatic cleaner went out. I do not know if it can be fixed, but I am certain that the warranty is only twelve months long-- and, of course, we're about two weeks past that date! The manual hose still works, so we still use it, but at this point I find my full-size carpet cleaner just as efficient.
Customer Review: Best home cleaning product I've ever purchased - worth every penny!
Summary: 5 Stars
The other night my dog got into the cat's litter box (I use Fresh Steps crystal - those crystals don't sit well in a dogs stomach) and she must have had a really fancy feast. I awoke to her vomiting all over my freshly dry cleaned comforter, and when I got up saw piles of diarrhea and more vomit in two bedrooms and two bathrooms. I'm thinking to myself, "This girl planned this," because just three days ago I had my carpeting professionally cleaned.
I didn't have time to do anything more than wipe up as much of the diarrhea and vomit as I could (and to tend to Joon's stomach, of course), as I was running late for an appointment. While I was out, I remembered seeing a commercial for this product, so on the way home, I picked it up.
When I had finished collecting any of the refuse that had dried while I was out, I approached this with skepticism. After all, it is a little difficult to believe that all you have to do is set the unit down over the stain, press a button, and then walk away.
But that's all you have to do. I was amazed at the simplicity of the design, and how easy it is to disconnect the collection and solution tanks. On the solution tank, Bissell has two sets of markings: one for use with their OxyGen2 product (which I haven't used yet), water, and formula; and another for water and formula alone. Those markings are very clear, and are a welcome design. There are three buttons to press: one for regular surface stains; another for set-in stains, and another to allow for manual use with the hose. When I pressed the surface stain button, I watched for a while as the unit switched between spray, suction, and brush functions. I have to say that watching the product work through the "Hands Free Cleaning Window" was pretty, er, cool. (Yeah, so I'm a dork. <grin>)
I walked away for a moment, and then heard the unit beep, indicating that it was done. I'm hearing impaired, and have a difficult time with high tones. I wasn't expecting to hear this, but I did - as clear as a bell - and I was at the opposite end of the apartment. I approached the unit with skepticism, but when I lifted it off the spot, the stains were gone. I proceeded to set the unit down on all of the spots throughout the apartment, coming back to it every time it beeped. It cleaned every spot.
This was by far the most pleasant, and the least physically exhausting experience I've ever had with a so-called steam cleaner - and that "least physically exhausting" part is a big one for me.
Still skeptical, though, I thought to myself: Just see when it dries; the stains won't really be gone. This morning, however, every single spot had dried, and there wasn't an issue with the carpet feeling stiff due to soapiness.
This thing works! It's easily the best unit I've ever owned.
Customer Review: Have to know how to use it.
Summary: 5 Stars
I read through most reviews before purchasing my SpotBot at a local retailer. I was a bit wary before I purchased it because there were many reviews that stated the machine stopped working and also because it sometimes left "clean" circles on carpet that were noticeable.
As for the machine breaking, so far mine hasn't. I have had it for about 6 months now, but have only used it about 12 times. Maybe I am not yet "qualified" to give my opinion on that since I wouldn't be considered a normal or heavy user.
What I can give my opinion, and helpful tips, about is how to avoid the "clean" circles on carpet. I haven't had any of those at all, but I'm wondering if it is because I don't pour cleaner into machine (if you read ingredients, many contain harsh cleaning additives that I think can clean carpet too well, hence leaving circles). This is how I do it: I spot spray stain with carpet spot cleaner, any brand name should be fine. I let it sit for about 10 minutes, longer if old stain. Now, this is where I differ from most users. At this point, instead of putting machine over it to "rub it out/suck it up," I use hose attachment and soak up cleaning chemicals and as much of stain as I can. I stop when I don't see anymore fluid going in clear hose. This avoids chemicals from being spread around into a circle, away from main stain, from the rotating attachment i.e., dreaded "circle". I then fill reservoir with hot tap water and maybe 1/4-1/2 cup of white vinegar (the best thing since sliced bread, I use white vinegar to clean most things in my house). I now put the machine over stain and set it for "surface stain." This is a gentler cleaning cycle than "set-in stain." Why over rub carpet if not needed-it wears away carpet. After this is done, I take hose attachment and suck out all extra water. I have yet to see any circles in my carpet, and I have used on both brand new carpet (we installed new carpet in bedrooms) and old carpet (living room and family room).
If you over clean any piece of carpet, you will rub out most dirt, which then won't blend with surrounding border and I think the harsh chemicals, if really worked into carpet with repetitive, circular motion, will take some color with it. I have sometimes just bypassed the chemicals all together and put the water/vinegar mix over carpet stain, without pre-cleaning, and it has worked fine.
I do recommend this machine. I love the fact that I can just pull it out from under my bathroom sink and pop it over small stain without having to drag out big steam cleaner. I used to have an upright, and I hated it. Major project to set up and put away. For spot cleaning, Spot Bot has been great!
Customer Review: Save your fingers and knees!
Summary: 5 Stars
The Spotbot is absolutely a fabulous little machine. Very compact, but has a decent weight to it. It could get tiring if you have to lug it up and down stairs a lot. However the best thing about it is the quality that it gets stains up.
- You first spray the stain. A small spritzer of water with two squirts of the cleaner fluid that came with it works great -- and is a much cheaper alternative to what they say in the directions. I'll reiterate what other reviews have said: don't put the cleaning fluid in the water section! Its only going to require cleaning later. =)
- Then you put fresh water into one end of the Bot, and place it over the stain.
- After that you have two buttons: Surface Stain, and Set-In Stain. The surface stain is pretty quick, but the set-in stain takes about 6 minutes. I tend to use the set-in stain more since often I can't tell the difference.
After "Spotty" is done, you simply pour & rinse out the old water and set him aside for later. In place of the stain you'll have a nice little ring of dampness. Vacuuming over it or "buffing out" the circle with your toe works well to hide it from curious visitors. If you see any staining still after using him, just spray and repeat. I've had a few stains that have taken two set-in stain passes to pull the determined spot out completely.
For maintenance purposes, I find that I have to put in fresh water/dump out old water after every two set-in stain runs. One problem that I've found is with cleaning the device. The dirty water container and the hose as well can get very dirty, especially if the old water is left in the accidentally overnight (Yup, it'll happen at least once). I'm planning on using a bucket of water with bleach to submerge it for a while and see if that doesn't work, since there's really no way to clean it out except by submerging it. The directions on cleaning this part of the machine are rather slim as well. The bristles on the other hand stay fairly clean for the most part, and typically you just have to occasionally wipe it down.
In all, I'm very glad to have purchased this as it has saved endless hours of scrubbing on my hands and knees. My cat is very old and regularly does not make it to the litter box for pooing. This little device has greatly helped in keeping the house clean, keeping household arguments down, and letting us have more time to do other things besides cleaning up after him. I would recommend this device for anyone with an older dog or cat, with children, or with friends that make frequent party fouls. =) I honestly don't know how I did without it for so very long.
Customer Review: Yes, it's Worth the Price
Summary: 5 Stars
Maybe this SpotBot will prod other vendors to make what 90% of the world uses shampooers for... to remove pet stains. How can you be in the shampoo business so long and overlook this? Yeah, there are the ketchup, mustard and wine stains, but those are so few and far between.
I can't add much more (It's great) than the rest of the people but address what concerns I had before I bought, and some surprises. It is nice and heavy enough to hold it in place while it is working. It is expensive to use, since you add very little water and more cleaning solution - much more than any other shampooer I've owned.
With fresh pet stains, I simply use water and nothing else. I put a few drops of Tide Laundry Detergent right on the stain first. I might cycle it twice. Using it manually with the wand is every bit as good as my full size shampooer. It does spray solution a little wider than the wand.
It doesn't seem to leak and the two containers are made smart. IOW, the sealing is well done and the rubber seal for the delivery tank is part of the cap so it will be a easily replaceable item when needed and should be cheap. I wish the two tanks, out of the machine, would sit flat on a counter. I think the engineering put into this machine was phenomenal.
The circles it makes, once dried takes a little effort to get them to blend back in using a vacuum. A carpet rake (you can buy at carpet stores) is best for this.
Tip: If after cleaning you have a yellowish brown stain circle that is worse than the original stain, then the stain is in the pad. There is only one thing you can do for that. Cut a long slit right along the weave/pile in the carpet, then remove and replace that small section of the pad underneath. Since this machine is so efficient, it continues to suck the stain all the way down out of the pad. So this is easier to believe and understand, imagine when you put dish soap on a sponge and then rinse it out until it completely squeezes out clear water. Now imagine that same sponge being under thick fabric and you don't have the luxury of squeezing it under a few gallons of water. The stain will keep being sucked from the pad up through the carpet... you have to cut the pad out underneath and try your best to replace it with the same thickness pad. It's a slow process, but very easy to do. You don't "pull" your carpet up, you slice it right along the stitches, so it will match well and then use special carpet tape to iron it back in place.