Vax V-028 Rapide Powerjet Pro Upright Carpet Washer Review

Overall Rating

Compact. Upright, so storage takes no more than a vaccum cleaner, which is what it is based on. All basic tools contained on machine. Easy to assemble. Easy to operate. Price acceptable, but shop about, savings can be made. Spent water container has a float cut off so you can't over fill, and change in engine noise lets you know when tank is full. This is a use once fill, no recirculation of water so every pass uses fresh water. Good suction, making sure most of applied water is removed which aids drying time. Pre spot applicator available. Can be used on stairs and soft furniture. These tools included. Has a power jet which pushes water into the carpet rather than putting it on the surface.

Small water tank, 4 ltrs. Spent water tank same. No internal heater, so water cools rapidly from stated 40 degrees and cleaning potential may suffer. Two or three tanks may be needed for a large room. Is not as efficient as a commercial cleaner.

If you have badly soiled carpets this machine is not for you. I used a commercial one a few years ago and the results were very good. This machine has the benefit of being compact for storage, easy to assemble and use. I think the idea is that you use it 3 to 4 times a year. On the carpets I tested the results were however very acceptable. I didn't use the pre spot, and had I done so the results may well have been better. I find the best application is to apply the cleaning solution in the longest strip possible, then to extract the water. To apply you pull the machine backwards whilst pulling the trigger, then push forward which sucks up the water. A slow application and removal gives best results. The machine is about twice as heavy as a vacuum cleaner. Water extraction is good,. For best results a thorough vacuum prior to cleaning is recommended, and when the carpet is dry, usually 6 hours later, a quick run over with the vacuum brings up the pile. I havn't used the machine on soft furnishings yet, but think that the results would be very good. If you have a steam cleaner as well I would suggest tackling stubborn spots with that, then follow up with the Vax. Overall this is a good system for an average home if used regularly. If you need a lender of last resort, hire an industrial cleaner.

Members' Comments onSid Pollartd's Review

• Sid Pollartd on 11th Jul 2008

  I've now used the srair cleaning attachment, which works fine. The only thing to beware of is that when drawing the unit back to extract water, it's possible to catch the trigger on the tread, putting down more water onto the area you're trying to dry.
  
  By holding the unit at an exaggerated upward angle this problem is overcome, and as the area being extracted is small, the position is not held for long and there's time to rest before the next step.