UPDATE: Hoover FloorMATE H3000

Once again I've used the FloorMATE H3000 after it had been serviced. It had pulled off all the caked grease from my kitchen floor & removed muddy footprints (been there for weeks) from white tile thruout my home after the rainstorm.
Front view of Hoover H3000 FloorMATE. The brush control switch is right on top of handle, where you can move it from WET/DRY PICK-UP (SpinScrub brushes are OFF) to WET SCRUB (SpinScrub brushes are ON) or vice-versa.

Side view (main Power Switch is on this side) The only downside to this model FloorMATE is the switch's location; unlike the H3030, H3040, & H3060 which have the main power switch on the handle.

White SpinScrub brushes for hardwood, laminate, vinyl & linoleum floors (These rarely get used since I have mostly marble & tile)

Underside of FloorMATE (with grey SpinScrub brushes [These get a lot of use; but the bristles don't seem to reach the grout line well] but these are stiffer than the white brushes)

You can use any cleaning detergent (as long as it's non-toxic, non-flammable, or doesn't have really strong fumes) on a FloorMATE instead of Hoover Floor-to-Floor or Grout solutions (Just be careful not to put too much Pine-Sol or other multi-purpose cleaner; otherwise the recovery tank water will foam/overflow and/or shut off the suction!)

The PROS

1. Interchangeable SpinScrub brushes (6 brushes on the 13 inch models; 7 brushes on the 15" WidePath models)--Saves time, your back & knees (The brushes do the work for you & you keep your back straight)
2. Transparent solution & recovery tanks--Shows how much water are in the tank(s)
3. Makes your hard surface floors look & feel like new again!
4. Clean solution & dirty solution don't mix (unlike the old-fashioned mop/bucket)
5. Powerful suction (Leaves floors clean & dry; unlike a mop which never touches the dirt & always leaves floors wet)
6. Long power cord (27 feet on most FloorMATEs; the discontinued H3010 has a 35' cord)--less unplugging the cord (great for larger homes)
7. Clean water tank's cap doubles as measuring cap for detergent (No second-guessing of soap/water ratios)

The CONS

1. Questionable durability
2. Tank capacity (Each tank holds 1/4 of a gallon of water/solution)
3. No rinsing option (unless you refill the clean water tank with water only)
4. So-so performance (when used as a dry pick-up vacuum)
5. CANNOT use FloorMATE on carpets/rugs (FloorMATE's brushes can activate overload protection & weak suction when used on rugs/carpets)

OVERALL PERFORMANCE/RECOMMENDATIONS

I highly recommend the FloorMATE to

1. Any household that has a large percentage of hard floor covering (esp. white/light colored floors)
2. Anyone with mobility concerns (arthritis, back/joint surgery, etc)
3. Busy families (kids, pets, etc)
4. Messy households (spills, pet accidents, etc)
5. Anyone that hates mopping

Happy 40th to our Electrolux!

On this day in 1970 my parents bought an Electrolux Deluxe Automatic 1205. Still working strong today although it had never been serviced. I had bought a new hose twice for this vintage Electrolux cleaner & replaced the belt once. They also bought the TurboTool rug shampooer (paid $100 new) & the B8 shampooer/polisher & all 3 Lux floor care products still get a workout!

"New" duster brushes

I got a new dusting brush for my vacuum & guess this one is the best brush I've ever used so far. It has natural horsehair bristles instead of ugly nylon bristles which tend to retain the dirt.

Flooramatic.org site

Flooramatic.org is temporarily out of service due to maintenance; new main page yet to come soon.

FloorMate H3000 disaster

I may be getting another FloorMATE since my H3000 is in for repair today. The foam from the detergent worked its way into the "Mickey Mouse" sized (reason why FloorMates can't do heavy-duty scrubbing due to its tiny motor powering the brushes) brush motor; causing the SpinScrub brushes to rotate slower than normal. However, my floors will need a good scrubbing when I get the FloorMATE back from the repair shop.

FINALLY...

Finally, my FloorMATE is working like a champ! After waiting for a squeegee & filter because the squeegee was worn out & filter was dirty, it REALLY dries the floors in SECONDS!

Hoover Floormate H3000

If you're tired of the outdated mop, bucket & manual scrub brush, get a Floormate! You'll never know what dirt & germs you leave behind on your floors after mopping with a regular mop once you use a Floormate. This FM has a 13 inch cleaning path & 6 Spin Scrub brushes that loosen dirt & grime a mop can't touch. It also has powerful suction to dry your floors in less than 1 minute! There are also 15" Widepath models (H3040, H3044, H3045, H3060) & the 13" wide H3050 & 15" H3060 have "tight-area" detail kit for cleaning around bath fixtures & a grout brush for cleaning your shower or tile coutertops. The H3044 & H3060 Floormates also have Spin Scrub grout brushes for tile floors.


Today I won a Hoover Floormate H3000. This is the best of all Floormates because:

1. Parts easy to find


2. Easy to work on/repair


3. Very reliable


4. Most powerful Floormate ever


5. Easier to use than the newer style Floormates (H3040, 3050, 3060)

Although the FMs are expensive, they are worth every $ spent; esp. on higher tier models like the H3050 & H3060. The H2850 is fine for everyday floor washing; but because the H2850 does NOT have rotating brushes like the H3000 thru H3060 do, it can't handle heavier or stuck-on dirt like the Spin Scrub equipped models can. One drawback about the newer style FMs (H3030 thru H3060) is they aren't as durable or reliable as the H3000; but all Spin Scrub equipped Floormates REALLY make hard floors sparkle like magic!