Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I've been using the previous Hoover FloorMate model for well over a year, and have been generally pleased with it. This new "Deluxe" FloorMate brings with it several improvements and a couple of minor problems. The overall design has been improved with the deluxe model. Gone is the somewhat finicky two piece clean and dirty water reservoirs replaced by two separate tanks on either side of the unit. It's very easy to fill and drain the tanks, although I wish the opening on the clean water side was a bit larger. The filter and float stop on the dirty water side is also easier to clean (this is important because if you don't clean it well it starts to smell very quickly). The power switch has been moved to a slightly odd spot half way down the handle and it's now a spongy rubber button. It works fine once you get used to it. The release to fold the handle back is easier to hit now and is centered and wide on the back of the base. My main complaint with the design of the Deluxe is the short cord. I have to move the plug 4 times to clean the floor in my kitchen, dining room and hallway. The old model could almost do it without moving the cord at all and I would usually only move it once for convenience. As far as cleaning goes the deluxe has improved significantly its ability to scrub gunk from the floor. I have a two year old and the area under his high chair is always a challenge. The old FloorMate required several passes to pull a day old dried slice of banana from the floor, but the deluxe grabs it in two. Interestingly the new model seems to move far less water through the system than the original. I first assumed this must mean it's picking up less dirt, but it seems to do a better over all job, and I was able to do my entire floor without refilling the tanks even once. With the old model I had to dump the dirty tank twice and fill the clean one 3-4 times. This tells me that the new model is simply working more efficiently than the old one. There is less water being sprayed down and sucked up, but that dirty water is dirtier. All the dirt is coming up well. It's important to note that these machines are ideal for maintaining a clean floor, but not as effective as a good mop for cleaning a really dirty one. If you only mop once a month you'll have to go over the surface with the FloorMate Deluxe several times. I might be one who would still prefer that (I hate using a mop) but others would be frustrated. Used once or twice a week, however, this machine will keep your floors very clean. This is a product I use regularly and can safely recommend.