| Hoover SteamVac Carpet Cleaner with Clean Surge, F5914-900 |
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Overall Rating: |
| Retail Price: $179.99 |
| Amazon Price: $139.83 |
Keep reading to find out more…
Features of the Hoover F5914-900 SteamVac with Clean Surge
This steam cleaner has two separate one gallon water tanks. The upper tank holds the cleaning solution. The lower recovery tank holds the dirty water that is suctioned from the carpet. The suction on the machine will automatically shut off when the lower recovery tank is full. When this happens, the motor sounds will also become noticeably louder. It should be noted that if the tanks are not situated properly in the unit, there will also be no suction.
This machine utilizes the SpinScrub multiple rotating brush system, which are five rotating scrub brushes located on the base of the machine. There are three brush speeds: HI for normal cleaning, LO for gentle cleaning, and OFF when brushing is not desired.
The Steam Vac F5914-900 has a Clean Surge button, which is used to dispense extra solution to clean particularly soiled areas. Although not all stains can be removed, stained areas should be pretreated using Spot and Stain Spray Cleaner, and may require several passes with the machine. Another important point about the Clean Surge button – during assembly, make sure you pay close attention to the directions. When the handle unit is assembled, squeeze the trigger and depress the Clean Surge button until you hear a snap, which puts the trigger rod in place. Skipping this step will cause the Clean Surge button to stay on all the time, and the steam cleaner will appear to have a leak problem.
The cleaner can be used on a variety of surfaces. A hose and attachments are included for cleaning stairs and upholstery. Also, a bare floor attachment can be purchased separately so that the machine can be used on hard flooring surfaces. Note that it cannot be used on hardwood floors.
How to Use
The operation of the Hoover SteamVac F5914 is fairly standard. Detergent and hot water are added to the upper tank. The machine uses a combination of wet and dry strokes to clean. For wet strokes, squeeze the trigger to release the cleaning solution and slowly push carpet cleaner forward and back. For dry strokes, release the trigger and slowly pull carpet cleaner forward and back. This will pull the dirty cleaning solution out of the carpet into the bottom recovery tank.
Rinsing is not required, but is worth the extra effort. To rinse, add only hot water to the upper tank, and then use alternating wet and dry strokes.
Hoover SteamVac F5914-900 Review
There are several positive points about this model:
- Price – When you consider how much it costs to have carpets professionally cleaned, this SteamVac’s less than $200 price tag is a tough deal to pass up.
- Suctioning – The machine has great suctioning, removing a great deal of water – as well as dirt – from carpets.
- SpinScrub Brushes – The SpinScrub 5 rotating brushes do their job well, and an added bonus is that their speeds can be adjusted.
- The cleaning solution that is sucked into the clear recovery tank is evidence that the machine is working properly.
For its price, the Hoover SteamVac F5914 is a good buy. However, there is always room for improvement…
First, although the machine can be used on bare floors, the attachment is sold separately and can be difficult to find if someone does want to purchase it. Next, although this model is equipped with a hose and attachments, they are inconvenient to install. Keep your instructions handy, because it’s a multi-step process. Finally, don’t let the name “SteamVac” fool you – like many residential carpet cleaners, this model will not preheat water.
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How Does the F5914-900 Compare to Other Hoover SteamVac Models?
my hoover steam cleaner leaks from the bottom but the tank is not leaking when not on it an full of water, when its on it an full of water it leaks out
Welcome to the club, Marshall! Mine does that intermittently, and leaks constantly when using the hand tool. After 3 uses! For some strange reason, it stops doing that when I place a rolled up towel under the brushes (to use the hand tool) and make it lean back a little. Soooooo many complaints, I can’t believe they still sell this junk.
We have one and have used it several times over the last year with no problems, We was out both tanks each time running clean water through the valve to make sure all the soap is gone. It seems to be cleanning the carpet well. We feel it was a good bang for the buck. We have never used the hand tool. No leaking problems as of this date.
We have one and have used it several times over the last year with no problems, We wash out both tanks each time running clean water through the valve to make sure all the soap is gone. It seems to be cleanning the carpet well. We feel it was a good bang for the buck. We have never used the hand tool. No leaking problems as of this date.
Mine worked great first time but now won’t suck up the water. I’ve done a lot of reading and talked to a service provider. It sounds like there is a problem reistalling the recovery tank. I have repositioned it and checked everywhere and can’t find a problem. Sometimes it will suck and sometimes it won’t. Has anyone else had with problem and found the issue?
I have tried to use my cleaner and it didn’t recover the dirty solution. I didn’t get a chance to return the product in the proper amount of time, so I tried it the second time and it still doesn’t work. So far, I have a useless piece of equipment.
I have same problem Sandra does. I have used it once no problem and cleaned and stored it. Now it will not recover anything in to the recovery tank and my floors are sudsy and wet. I have gone to troubleshooting and I don’t see anything that will help. I’m not sure what to do.
Alison Again – this is for Rebecca and Sandra. I fiddled a lot with the recovery tank over the past couple of hours with no luck, BUT I JUST fiddled with the little plastic “plate” at the front (in difficult to read writing it says “To use Optional Cleaning Tool Step 1: blah blah blah Step 2: blah blah bla”. Of course it doens’t say blah blah blah but I’m wanting to direct you to that plastic piece that slides up and down. I really made sure that was down and in place, started it up and I’m suctioning again. Check that and let me know if it helped.
Thanks for all your advice~ after hours of frustration because it wasn’t sucking up the water, I too, played with the LID! Something so simple!!! Thanks!!!!
I’m having the same problem. The first time I used it a month ago, the cleaning solution foamed. Tonight it didn’t foam. Also, no water is going into the recovery tank. I’ll go try to push that plastic front panel piece down again and will report back. Thanks!
I had this same problem, but the easy fix is this. Take out your recover tank. Reinstall it. When putting the lid back on make sure to start at the front and that the back latch is done last. This will provide it with suction. This seems to work every time. Hope this helps.
I used this one time and NO SUCTION! I read the manual and made sure gaskets were in place, lid properly sealed, and still nothing! I only emptied the tank one time and now nothing! I have returned it to the store. I’m wondering if the Hoover folks have employees posting reviews since I have encountered several people I know that had the exact same problem. This product is defective in my opinion. I owned another Hoover Steamer for over 8 years and that’s why i chose this one. Hoover of old is not the Hoover of today.
I read the information on Amazon about this cleaner and plan on purchasing it. The reviewers there had some of the problems you all are experiencing and the troubleshooting there is very good. You might want to check it out.
I thought I was the only one with this problem. I used my new Hoover steamvac for the first time and realized that the solution tank was empty but the recovery tank was completely dry.
Does someone have a clear solution to this problem.
As many have already discovered, a lack of suction after reinstalling the recovery tank is almost always due to the swing-out/flip-down front plate for the attachments. When you turn the recovery tank upside down to empty it this plate invariably becomes dislodged and needs reseated when replacing the lid. Repositioning this thing when replacing the lid has resulted in reliable suction every time since I discovered the trick.
Something nobody has mentioned, why is the word “steam” included in the product name and description? Isn’t this false advertising? Not only is there no capacity for steam… there’s no capacity for even heating the cleaning solution above the temperature supplied when you fill the reservoir! When I bought a “SteamVac” I expected steam. Or at LEAST somewhat warm! Had I done my homework I would have bought the Bissell ProHeat which at least adds 25 degrees to the temperature of the solution.
I cranked my home hot water tank up to the max and filled the cleaning tank with 170 degree water… hot enough to burn the crap out of you if you stick your hand under the running water. Not recommended for normal household use as you’d be inviting some unwelcome surprises in addition to possible injury. But the hotter water in the Hoover *non*-SteamVac DOES make a huge difference in cleaning capability!
Another gripe, you can turn the brushes off if desired. How about the suction?!? It would be nice to be able to agitate heavily soiled areas with the brushes **without** sucking the cleaning solution back up until you’re ready. What were they thinking?
Allison-
I was just about to smash my hoover into a million pieces!! Thank you for saving me the effort with that front cover trick!! AHHHH!
This cleaner has been nothing but perfect for me. Cleaned all the carpets in my house with no problems and have already gone through the solution that comes with the unit and another bottle bought later.
I have had no problems with suction or leakage. The equioment works fine if you follow the instructions and if you keep the unit clean. Make sure you put on the lids correctly and clean the tank and the gasket areas.
Great unit! Great price!
I’ve found that when I forget to adjust the levers from Wash/Rinse to empty the solution tank, to “Rinse”, which picks up the solution, I also do not get anything in the recovery tank. Otherwise, when I “Rinse” it picks up so much that I have to empty the recovery tank in between.
I just don’t know how to use the other little tools and hand tools and gadgets.
Thanks Leslie….your suggestion fixed my suction problem!!!
“Leslie says:
August 7, 2010 at 8:35 pm
I had this same problem, but the easy fix is this. Take out your recover tank. Reinstall it. When putting the lid back on make sure to start at the front and that the back latch is done last. This will provide it with suction. This seems to work every time. Hope this helps.”
Please guys , when you reinstall the recovery tank make sure LITTLE FRONT PLATE IS RESEATED PROPRELY, it takes care of problem when recovery tank stops sucking
I am having a different problem then whats being mentioned above, When I purchased this Hoover, I was using the switch on WASH Position, Now that position doesnt work anymore, I have to clean the carpet or at least think its being cleaned On the RINSE Position. I put the switch on WASH and nothing comes out, Solution, Water, nothing at all the brushes just spin.
HELP!
I, too, have a problem I haven’t heard from anyone else yet. The middle brush of the 5-brush unit keeps falling out whenever the cleaner is tipped back and the brushes are not flat on the floor. This happens under all circumstances – whether I am rolling the machine from one place to another or when I tip it inadvertently (usually reaching down to grab the cord that is ALWAYS in the way). So then I have to stop everything, remove the tanks, lay the whole thing on the floor, locate the fiesty brush, re-insert it, put the tanks back, then try to hold the brush in place while at the same time hitting the release lever to get the nozzle and brushes flat onto the floor again. That’s not an ease feat for someone who is short, has short arms, and finds bending extremely painful! I called Hoover customer service, but was told I’d have to buy a new brush assembly even though I just bought the machine with, I assumed, working brushes! Has anyone else had this problem?
The middle brush fell out of my brush assembly,too…..has anyone found a fix for this?..
i have had two yes two of these that leak every time i use the hand tool and only when its on but when i turn it off the leaking stops. I want a hoover when useing with out the hand tool they do the best cleaning. However i think hoover realy needs to fix the leaking when use the hand tool. When i called hoover to have them walk me threw and try to fix it they just told me to take it back to the store. Im scared to buy another worried its goona do the same thing. Anyone have one that they can use the hand tool and it dont leak. If so i might buy another and try agen
BRAND NEW HOOVER, USED ONCE , WORKED PERFECT. SAME DAY WOULD NOT
SUCK UP. AFTER READING MANY COMMENTS ON THIS SITE, I TRIED AGAIN.
PUT RESERVOIR COVER ON FRONT TO BACK AND PLAYED WITH THAT LITTLE PLASTIC PIECE IN THE FRONT. PULLED IT UP AND PRESSED IT BACK DOWN. THAT SOLVED
MY PROBLEM. HAS BEEN WORKING GOOD EVER SINCE.
THANKS FOR PEOPLE ON THIS SITE SOLVING MY PROBLEM. I WAS READY TO THROW
THIS MACHINE IN THE DUMP. THE TROUBLE SHOOTING PAGE IN THE BOOK SHOULD
HAVE THIS TIPS ON IT.
I cant find my instruction manual and i can’t figure out how to put on the tool attachment!! if anyone can help i would apreciate it!
Was completely dumbfounded how sometimes the machine failed to suck…it would work fine for 2 or 3 tanks, then not suck….finally found the answer as mentioned above…it’s the little plastic piece in front of the recovery tank…it gets dislodged and must be re-seated…great machine!
Same problem as many stated-solution dispenses but no pick up. Finally did as suggested, reseated tank and yahooooo! Works now! Will remember and have bookmarked for future reference.
Thanks!
I have the Hoover Steam max (no steam – yea right – just my hot water) and today used it for the 3rd time. It leaked all the water out without me having to even push the button on the hand that does that. A whole gallon leaked out in 3 6′ passes!! It is obviously leaking around the right side connection as you can hold the arm back and see it flowing down from the upper chamber. Yet when I remove the upper chamber it is not leaking. Only does it when seated. What do I do?
Isn’t there a law against calling a hot water extraction vacuum a “steam vac” when it is in fact NOT a steam vac? OHHHHH! It is soooo frustrating trying to find an ACTUAL steam vac! Sure, hot water extraction vacs do remove spots but they do absolutely NOTHING to traffic scum. I want what the real deal!
pulled trigger and depressed the clean surge button durring assembly but got no snap! Don’t know if i should try it out or call for customer service on Monday.
Middle brush falls out whenever I lift up front end. Can’t move it without having front down at all times.
I have this machine. Can you help?
My issues is that there is no water or solution that comes out when the trigger is pulled. The Clean Surge button will release solution and water, it opens both gaskets, but the trigger will not release anything. I can see the two gaskets that these buttons release, in behind the scrub-brush hand tool, and the trigger moves one of the gaskets slightly, but not enough to let the solution through.
Anyone have any suggestions? I cannot use this machine on clean surge the whole time!
Pam,
I had the same problem as you, but I was able to fix it.
Here is what I did. First, take out the clean solution bucket. Then unscrew the 2 screws that are behind the bucket. They go all the way through the machine and hold the hose connector piece on, so the hose and the piece that it fits into will fall off. Then if you try depressing each of the 2 buttons you can see them working (or not working) by look at the front of the machine towards the bottom of where the clean solution bucket would be. Next, take off the handle piece (which you can just lift off now that you have those 2 screws removed. You can see how the 2 buttons work now. They each push down on a plastic piece. Try pushing the plastic piecing with your hand to make sure that they push down the gaskets (again by looking at the bottom of where the clean solution bucket would be. If they manually work, reattach the handle making sure that the plastic piece that pushes down lines up with the pieces you were just manually pushing. Then just screw everything back together. That is what worked for me.
Greg
I used it the first time and it worked fine. After reading all the above comments I am afraid to use
it again in fear it will not work. I don’t know what Hoover means when they say SteamVacuum
I see no steam no matter how hot the water. Anyway….seems it is a big problem with adjusting
everything just perfect. Housewives get very frustrated at things like this. maybe Hoover
engineers need to go back to the drawing board.
I own two of these Hoover carpet cleaners. The older unit failed early in its use due to a split dispenser tank. I ordered a replacement tank and then experienced the leaking problems listed in most of the complaints. I located the problem as the solenoid valve that sticks open causing cleaning solution to leak in quantities dependent on the air rate entering the dispensing tank. I removed the valve and as expected blew air through it easily. I tapped the valve assembly a few times and the valve closed. I replaced the valve and installed the tank. It gurggled a few seconds but no leak. I started using the unit and notice no fluid was being despensed. I then noticed an electrical smell, that I assumed was the stuck solenoid trying to open. I plan to order a new solenoid to remedy the problem.
The newer unit was purchased when we were having the tank problems with the first unit. It has been used a few times. It started leaking like the first unit so I checked the solenoid and found it also open. I tapped on the valve body and it closed. I put the covers back on and filled it up. I used it without any additional problems.
This appears to be a problem with the solenoids selected by Hoover. This type of solenoid is used on many dispensing type appliances. My assessment is the solenoids corrode in between appliance use.
Accessing the solenoid is a little difficult. It is under the plastic cover in front of the dirty tank. Holding the handle it is the solenoid on the right. The exit tube can be pulled from the brush assembly and tested by blowing into the tube. With no power on the unit, you shouldn’t be able to blow back to the clean tank, if you can the valve is stuck open and the unit will leak as soon as the dispensing tank is attached.
I wouldn’t recommend this product to anyone, unfortunately for most of us we are stuck, some of us twice.
Vic
My brushes do not spin any more and my attachment does not spray water
My brushes do not spin any more and my attachment does not spray water any ideas