Monday, April 26, 2010

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!