Showing posts with label best drinking water filter systems. Show all posts
Showing posts with label best drinking water filter systems. Show all posts

Culligan SW-3 Wrench for Big Blue Housings Save 6% Off

Culligan SW-3 Wrench for Big Blue Housings
  • Use the SW-3 filter wrench only for twisting off water filter housing canisters.
  • Do NOT use the SW-3 housing wrench to secure the water filter canister to the water filter lid, damage may incur to o-ring.
  • The SW-3 water filter wrench makes changing water filters easy.
  • The SW-3 spanner wrench can be used with No.10 Big Blue whole house housings.
  • The SW-3 wrench is slightly less than 6-Inch Wide. (Note: Width is less at the notches.)

I bought two of these because I read the reviews that they broke easily. Well, they do that. Both broke immediately. I wouldn''t buy these. Cheaply made and you might as well burn your money. I ended using an oil filter wrench and it worked like a charm.

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Housing wrench is made of plastic. It seems to work okay for now, but it would be better and stronger if it were made out of metal.

Read Best Reviews of Culligan SW-3 Wrench for Big Blue Housings Here

Use this wrench to remove a hand tightened filter housing.

Use a new o-ring and tighten housing hand tight.

PUR CR-5000 Two-Stage Water Pitcher with Flavor Cartridge

PUR CR-5000 Two-Stage Water Pitcher with Flavor CartridgeFor the last few years I have been hooked on those flavored water beverages. I would buy them at my local bulk seller and would drink all of them down in about a week or two. Now, knowing that this was a pricey habit I tried to find another way to get flavored water on the cheap. I tried putting lime juice in my water, it was good but did not have a great taste that I was looking for, I also tried adding some of those sugar free syrups to my water but that effort was fruitless as well. When I was at home one evening I came across the Pur Flavor Pitcher and it all came together. This thing is great it was on sale at my local super market and picked one up for little green. The included flavor, raspberry, is really good, but my favorite is the peach flavor. What is great about this product is that you can adjust the amount of flavor your beverage has so if you feel like sipping a fresh raspberry you can, but I find that just one squirt is just fine. The water by itself is also quite crisp and refreshing compared to my local water that tastes metallic. If this seems worthless, please second guess yourself because it really isn''t. It is a cheap, easy, and delicious way to enjoy an ice cold glass of flavored water without spend a ton on those bottled flavor waters.

the cartridges do not last long enough for the price, even when they function properly. I am on my third cartridge. The first one worked well enough, but it only lasted a few days for my family of three. The second cartridge didn''t work at all. The third cartridge dispenses about half of the time the button is pressed.

A few warnings:

---be prepared to push the flavor button several times to get any flavor at all

---the claim on the package that each cartridge can flavor up to 75 servings is absurdly optimistic

---the cartridge easily becomes dislodged from its resting place during use

---the pitcher must be refilled incessantly, as its filtered water compartment is quite small

---if you try to pour water while there is any water in the unfiltered reservoir, the lid will fall off

The good news is that the taste of the flavor additive is pretty nice, if you''re accustomed to diet beverages.

I was hoping to keep a few water bottles out of the recyling bin or landfill and perhaps save a bit of money while doing so. I''m returning this product. I''ll probably buy something similar in the future if a more reliable model is developed. Great idea, PUR, but poor execution....

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(I''ve only tried the pitcher, so this review has nothing to do with the faucet mount version.)

This is not a bad concept for a product. In fact, I think now that PUR have made the first step, perhaps other companies (and even PUR themselves) can start improving on it and making it better. However, this particular product is simply not there yet and I do not believe it is worth the full price.

Purified, filtered water is an essential thing in every household. I''ve had a Brita pitcher for a long time, the "Grand" model, and I''ve enjoyed it immensely. I still have it. However, when I saw the new PUR Flavor Options pitcher, I was intrigued. I''ve often wished there was an easy, healthy way to add flavor to water. Sure, there are powders and syrups, but this particular idea, that the flavor is an option right within the pitcher, ready to be dispensed at the push of a button, seemed pretty awesome to me. It just so happened that I had a gift card I could use to purchase it, and so I did.

The first problem that was apparent right away is the size of the pitcher itself. After using the Brita Grand pitcher, which is fairly large and holds up to 10 cups of water, this was a real downgrade. This product is being targeted to families, naturally, but the size of the pitcher simply won''t cut it in a household of more than two people, and even then it''s a bit of a bother because you will have to refill it very often. The shape of it IS very conducive to small households and people who can''t spare any kitchen or fridge space, but for me, personally, the downgrade in size was a big letdown. Granted, this is a problem that was personal to me and I realize I could have known this before buying-it just didn''t dawn on me until I actually owned it just how small this pitcher is, for me. So if you''re looking for a pitcher that will hold a good amount of water, this is not for you. I hope PUR is going to release this product in larger sizes in the future, although from what I''ve seen of PUR, their pitcher variety is already quite limited compared to Brita.

The other problem-and this is a big one-is the flavor. To be quite candid, it''s not very good. Again, this is SUCH a personal issue that some may obviously disagree, but in my experience, which included the raspberry and peach flavors, I was very disappointed. The raspberry was by far the worst-if you don''t put a lot of it in the glass you won''t notice it''s there, but if you put enough of it to actually taste it, it is sour, synthetic, and leaves a nasty taste in your mouth. I can''t stress the aftertaste enough-it is bad. I am very health conscious and care about what goes in my body, and this product tasted so synthetic that I just felt bad swallowing it. It doesn''t really taste too much like raspberry, either. The peach is a LITTLE better but again, it just doesn''t taste right. I didn''t feel like I wanted the flavor in my water. This was a big letdown because I was excited about it before trying it out, and I was hoping it would grow on me, but as I''ve owned this product for a week now I find that I push the flavor button less and less.

SO WHAT SHOULD YOU DO TO DETERMINE FOR YOURSELF WHETHER YOU SHOULD BUY THIS OR NOT?

Simple:

Go to your nearest convenience store. Purchase one of the flavor packets, the ones that go in the pitcher, WITHOUT buying the pitcher. You can buy all three options, or just buy one if you don''t want to waste money. Go home, take out the flavor packet, pour yourself a nice glass of water (hopefully filtered and cold). Then hold the packet facing downward into the glass, and push on the soft rubber surface next to the nozzle. It will squirt out the flavor. You can now try it for yourself as much as you like without shelling out upwards of 30 dollars for the entire product.

I am returning the pitcher tomorrow. If PUR improves upon it, I''ll investigate again. Until then, the size of the pitcher is a problem; the FLAVOR, however, is a disaster.

Read Best Reviews of PUR CR-5000 Two-Stage Water Pitcher with Flavor Cartridge Here

I came on Amazon knowing that people would be complaining about the flavor dispensing. Why? If you leave the flavor lid DOWN then the flavored liquid collects in the reservoir and you end up wasting a lot of flavor (it collects and solidifies). I ran into that problem early on, but the solution is extremely simple: flip up the lid of the flavor area before you squirt. Then, as you pour, squirt, and all of the flavor will go right in your glass.

This really isn''t the greatest product for kids. They will undoubtedly use way more flavor than is necessary. Nor is it ideal if you have plan on having more than three people rush the fridge for water at the same time. And it is true that the flavor cartridges will not last as long as advertised if you give each glass two more or squirts. Of course, only one squirt is pretty weak compared to typical bottled water. (Then again, I''d say that the bottled stuff is too strong.)

I have to give this three stars because it was poorly engineered, for the aforementioned reason. A simpler solution would have been to skip the flavor reservoir step. You could flip up a cap to get to the button, that way you wouldn''t accidentally push it and get flavor everywhere.

Anyway, once you get it working the flavor is good (raspberry and lemon, anyway, haven''t tried the others), you save money, and your not lugging around cartons of bottles and dealing with extra recyclables.

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I''ve owned this pitcher for two months and I haven''t had any of the problems mentioned in the other reviews. The filter lasted for 1.5 months and I love how the indicator light went from green to yellow to red so I knew exactly when to change it. The flavor cartridge also lasted about 1.5 months (using 1-2 times a day) and the flavored water is comparable to flavored bottled water. The pitcher fits perfect in our fridge and drinking a pitcher a day gives me my daily allotment of water. Also the water tastes very crisp and clean. I''m so glad I decided to purchase this particular pitcher because it works great and I no longer need to buy bulky cases of bottled water.

Primo Water Floor Model Water Cooler

Primo Water Floor Model Water CoolerPrimo was very quick about shipping. I recieved my cooler in 4 days. The cooler is not heavy; easy to unpack. I was able to unload the cooler and set up quickly without any help. The cooler will fit in to any decor. It really has a nice sleek look. I was surprised to read the review of a noisy cooler. My cooler runs very quietly. Other than when we first started it up, we don''t hear the compressor, no rattles. We have ours set up in the kitchen on a good thick vinyl floor. Perhaps there is enough cushion to keep any vibrations to a minimum. The safety button for the hot water is definitely a plus. Especially if you have small children. The hot water comes out nice & hot; makes a great & quick cup of tea or hot cocoa. I have to admit, I wish the cold water was colder. Using a good pH meter with temp guage, we are getting water temps of 58 60 degrees. Perhaps that is standard but I like my cold water colder. Still its nice to have a head start on a nice cold glass of lemonade. Dispense water, add lemonade mix or squeezed lemons...and throw in a few ice cubes. I didn''t notice right a way, but a day after set up, I discovered my Primo cooler has a defect along the front right side. There is a slight gap where the right side does not line up & hook up with the front panel. The other/left side fits nice and snug to the front panel. I''m sure I could send it back, but I just don''t have the time right now to pack & ship. Besides it works fine and I don''t believe this causes any problems other than cosmetic appearance. Also, I enjoy Primo water and found it can be purchased at our K-mart at about $13 for water in the special primo jug.

Bekka

I have had this for a couple weeks now, it came really fast 2 or 3 days I think, the other primo cooler had really good reviews which is why I got this one, and liked that the controls were on top of the cooler bc they were more out of reach for toddlers, and it looks nice. Now the bad, it is noisy whenever the heater compressor is running (which is about every 10-20min it seems) there is a annoying rattling that I can hear in the next room for about a minute at a time, but it is quite distracting. Also the water has been getting a "rubber" like taste. I have cleaned it out well as they reccommended and it helped some, seems to be getting better over time. I have called Primo 1-800# and you get a real person right away who is willing to go over her checklist of solutions to these problems, they reccommended I unplug it overnight and call if the noise doesnt get better but that it is normal for the compressor to be heard.

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installing water bottles is difficult to do without spilling it. had it for a few months now, still cant find an easy way to swap in new bottle without the hastle.

Read Best Reviews of Primo Water Floor Model Water Cooler Here

My family bought this item less than two years ago. Was working fine. Cold water sometimes not that great, but no problems in function. Unfortunately, I nearly had a house fire because of this machine. With no indication of a problem, the wires to the hot water tank overheated and burned causing a bright spark and smoke. I quickly unplugged the machine and probably saved my home and family. Had it been 2 hours later, the whole family would have been in bed and this could have burned the house down. There is NO circuit overload protection on this machine. If it overloads, it does NOT shut down. I would not recommend this to my worst enemy. There should not be a product for sale that is intended for continuous use that does not have overload protection.

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I got this at K-mart for a much cheaper price, and I''m thrilled with it. I used to have water delivered for use on a rented cooler, and let me tell you, never again. Customer service was awful, hidden charges, bottle deposits, etc. I''m much happier having my own unit and refilling my own bottles. It ends up being so much cheaper, too. I haven''t had any problems with the unit--no leaks, the hot water is hot enough, and the cold water is *almost* cold enough, which works for me since I can add a couple ice cubes and go my merry way. I flushed it out pretty well when I bought it, and I haven''t had an issue with funky odors or taste. I like the way you have to press down from above to dispense instead of having handles that stick out the front--I have fewer floods from my toddler playing with it because it''s harder for her to manage. The hot water safety button is a great feature. I''ve recommended this to friends. I can''t comment on customer service or repairs since my unit has worked perfectly from day one, and fingers crossed it stays that way!

WaterChef® RCSF-7 Shower Filter Replacement Cartridges Save 19% Off

WaterChef® RCSF-7 Shower Filter Replacement Cartridges, 2-PACK
  • Includes TWO (2) WaterChef Shower Filter Replacement Cartridges
  • Powerful 2-Stage Filtration with ThermalGuard? for Superior Chlorine Reduction
  • Tested & Certified by NSF International - NSF/ANSI Standard 177
  • Rated Capacity: 14,000 Gallons per 2-Pack
  • Flow Rate:2.5 Gallons per minute

Although I am not vastly experienced in a plethora if shower filters, out of the two I have used it is far the best! No sealant tape no awkward disk filter. It is literally as simple as changing a light bulb. The filter cleans the water really well. My bathroom no longer smells like chlorine after a shower. I love it!!!

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WaterChef shower filters are the best on the market. They definitely get the chlorine out of the water. I plan to continue to purchase these filters for every shower in my house.

Culligan WSH-C125 Wall-Mount 10,000 Gallon Capacity Filtered Showerhead Save 21% Off

Culligan WSH-C125 Wall-Mount 10,000 Gallon Capacity Filtered Showerhead, Chrome Finish
  • Patented filter that reduces 99% of chlorine reducing sulfur odors and scale
  • Anti clog rubber spray nozzles and 10,000 gallon filter capacity
  • Easy to install with no tool required
  • 5 spray settings with massage
  • NSF Certified with a 5 year warranty

I was saving up to buy the Aquasana showerhead filter, trying to rationalize spending $80 on a product just because our water smells a little funky. I researched dillegently about all of my shower-filter options, read all the Amazon and other sites reviews I could find, and while there was a lot of hype about Aquasana, the real user reviews made me question it''s durability, value, and also, it wasn''t very pretty.

Then I discovered this Culligan shower filter. It''s a little bigger than my regular showerhead, but that''s more the massage settings than the filtration unit. It''s shiny chrome and looks really nice in my shower. It installed in about 3 minutes and has worked beautifully for the last 2 months.

My main reason for buying this was bad smelling water. This filter got rid of all the odors in our tap water (the metallic tap water smell and the super nasty hydrogen sulfide/rotten egg smell that only got worse the hotter the water was). But it''s also improved my skin and hair condition. All this time I had thought I had dry skin and damaged hair. But not anymore. I never would have thought to blame the water!

The 5 massage settings are nice, but I find I like the regular spray shower setting. I was worried that a filter may impact my water pressure, but it actually seems to have improved. The highest-pressure setting on this is almost too much pressure, but it might be good for a theraputic massage.

This was a fabulous find for only ~$30. The quality of the showerhead alone would be worth that, even without the added bonus of filtering out all the yucky stuff.

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I''ve had this for over a year now. We do not have soft water, and I recommend this if you have the same problem. I replace the filter every 6 mo. I can tell a big difference with my hair (color) and skin. Highly recommend it!

Read Best Reviews of Culligan WSH-C125 Wall-Mount 10,000 Gallon Capacity Filtered Showerhead Here

I have battled eczema and extremely dry skin for a lifetime with countless moisturizers, creams, special body washes, etc. Who know my biggest enemy was my shower?! Now, for the first time ever, I can use regular BAR soap--if you have eczema, you know that this is a major coup! I can see a real difference now when I showered elsewhere on a holiday visit--I''m back to feeling like my skin was a flaky mess. I HIGHLY recommend it for anyone with dry skin and/or eczema. Oh, and as a bonus, it''s also improved the quality of my curly hair! Win win!

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As many of the reviews for this product indicate, the unit does seem to do a very good job of filtering the water supply and removing the chlorine odor. Just be aware of the head design. See all those little nozzles? They point straight out (no flare) and the front of the shower head is flat. As a result, the shower stream is EXTREMELY narrow.

Measured 18-20" from the shower head, the water cone is barely the width of a dollar bill. That''s a tight spread and your shoulders are out of the water if the shower is aimed at the middle of your back. There is no adjustment to widen the water spray. This may not bother everyone. However, if you like a wide spray, buy an inline filter and use the shower head of your choice.

I wish I had understood just how narrow the water stream was before I purchased this unit. This is my only complaint about an otherwise quality unit.

Save 21% Off

Remember when Kramer and his friend Newman on the show Seinfeld complained of their new showerhead being installed by the apartment building''s engineer was low flow? Kramer and Newman decided to buy an illegal showerhead and had to pick from several different models including a showerhead meant for circus animals. Well those two guys overcompensated and of course decided to purchase the showerhead meant for circus elephants.

So then Kramer gets in the shower and tried out his new circus animal showerhead and gets knocked down by the strong water pressure. Using this showhead reminded me of that.

Prior to purchasing the culligan filtered showerhead I was using a low flow showerhead. I had no idea my old showhead was low flow since the water pressure was great. I never had any complaints about the water pressure at all. So when I purchased the Culligan showerhead I expected the water pressure to be somewhat disappointing because it had a filter. So before installing it I took out the flow restrictor with needle nose pliers. Then I installed it, installation was as easy as Culligan says it is. Just screw it on the pipe although you may need tools to remove your old showerhead like I did.

Finally I tried it out and since I was used to my old showerhead, Culligan''s showerhead pressure caused me to take a step back because the water pressure without the flow restrictor is somewhat painful. Fortunately like most people I can manually adjust the amount of water pressure I want for showering.

I''m warning everyone the water pressure is painful for those sensitive areas so think twice before removing that flow restrictor otherwise you might feel like you''re in a real life Seinfeld episode. Install the Culligan showerhead WITH the flow restrictor on first. Then if you''re unhappy with the water pressure go ahead and remove the Culligan showerhead, then remove the flow restrictor (Culligan provides instructions in the box that tells you how), then reinstall the Culligan showerhead.

Pros

1. Easy installation, even amateurs can install it

2. Great water pressure

3. My skin and hair are much softer after using this showerhead

4. Great price

5. Replacement filters are inexpensive

6. Quality and reliability, I haven''t had any problems with this showerhead not working.

Cons.

1. None

This concludes today''s Seinfeld episode.

NBC......beep, beep, beep.

Waste King AH-1300-C Quick and Hot Instant Hot Water Tank

Waste King AH-1300-C Quick and Hot Instant Hot Water Tank
  • 1300 Watts
  • Stainless steel tank, self re-setting thermostat tank
  • 60 cups hour capacity
  • Easy fingertip temperature adjustment
  • heater protection with self-resetting therma fuse

I purchased one of these units approx. 4 months ago. At first all was working fine, then a couple days ago I noticed a leak under the sink. I quickly traced the problem to the Quick and Hot tank. I removed the tank and opened up the housing thinking that it may be a loose fitting or something simple. What I found was that two of the three studs that hold the heating element to the tank were completely broken off and laying on the bottom of the tank housing. Since the element was no longer pulled tight to the gasket through the tank, water was leaking around it. I contacted Waste King and was told that since I did not pruchase the unit from an AUTHORIZED dealer they would not cover the warranty. This was obviously poor workmanship and I even offered to purchase a new element, but was told that they do not sell parts and would not offer any other assistance. Sorry you are just out $160. Thanks Waste King. I''ll be purchasing a new one from a different manufacturer. I would urge others to do the same.

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I used this unit as a replacement for the Hot Water Heater on a Franke Little Butler that failed after 7 years. The heating unit is almost identical, except was a later revision and had the Waste King label instead of the Franke brand on it. Works as advertised and functions identically to the unit it replaced.

Read Best Reviews of Waste King AH-1300-C Quick and Hot Instant Hot Water Tank Here

This is my second unit. The first was installed by the previous owner so I don''t know how old it was I''m guessing 5 years old at least. It started leaking and was spitting hard water deposits into the water. After removing and taking apart the tank, I realized that the heating element was still good and if there had been an easy way to disassemble it for element and tank cleaning, I could still be using it except for the leak. The leak developed in the hose that sends the hot water to the faucet. This delivery hose is flexible and must be some sort of high temperature tubing, but eventually it gives out. Could not find a replacement hose or easy way to remove it from the faucet so I ended up buying a new unit. Overall I enjoy the unit and the convenience of hot water on demand, but I wish that replacement parts were more readily available (hot water tubing) and that the tank could be flushed. Just like your main hot water heater, if you have hard water, you are going to eventually get mineral deposits on the element and tank, but that drawback won''t keep me from buying it again.

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The unit dispenses hot water. The water can be extremely hot. Yet the rubber hose that this thing comes with cannot handle the job. In 1 years time, the heat from the unit will degrade the hose until it is busted and leaks water. The hose is a special hose that can''t be found easily in hardware store to replace. The manufacturer don''t even sell the hose. Unless you want to buy a brand new hot water faucet every time you have a busted hose, I don''t recommend you buy this. Luckily I bought this unit from Costco and I can return it. But save yourself the trouble and just don''t buy this.

I''ve used my Quick and Hot for multiple years now. The original faucet part of the system failed and leaked and I replaced it last year. The new faucet is now leaking water under the sink. The source of the leak is the rubber hose that feeds the hot water from the tank to the faucet. The high temperature hose

seems to have deteriorated, the leaking area is thin and now soft. I searched all the local big and small hardware and plumbing stores in my area. They don''t carry or sell high temperature hoses. The original one is rated to 275 degrees. The Waste King website is useless for consumer help. Not wanting to spend another 100 bucks on a new faucet, I used a piece of 1/4 copper tubing. I attached a piece of good original hose to each end of the copper tube and secured it with a small hose clamp. Under the hose clamp I wrapped a couple layers of teflon tape to protect the rubber hose from the metal clamp. So far works great and should last until the rubber hose fails again. Waste King should redesign the unit without the rubber hose.

Hoover MaxExtract Dual V Carpet Cleaner Save 21% Off

Hoover MaxExtract Dual V Carpet Cleaner, Black, F7412900I had the older version of this machine. I bought it about 6 years ago and after attempting to clean the rugs last month I realized it was no longer picking up the water. Opened it up and saw that the internal suction hose had split in half. That was it .. time to find another cleaner. I have had good luck with Hoovers but did a TON of research before settling on this machine. I have a dog and a toddler and both do a number on my rugs. Juice, food, crayons, spit up, urine and everything else under the sun has ended up on my carpet in the past 2 years. I did not take care of my previous Hoover so it wasn''t the best in its later life. I just brought the new one home and oh my god, the water was black. I did not think anything could bring my carpets back but this did. They are so soft and clean. I love this machine because it has a rinse button if you want to make sure you have gotten all the soap out. I use really warm water and the machine directs hot air onto the carpet as you make your passes. The carpet dried super fast and just looks fantastic. I had to fill and empty the containers 4 times for my combination living / dining room but hey, I''m not complaining now that I see the results. I also like this machine because you do not mix the detergent in with the water. This is great because if you have detergent left over you just pour it back into the bottle. Based on my previous experience, here is what I learned and can pass on to future Hoover SteamVac owners:

1. Clean your machine after each use. That means taking apart the brushes and washing out the front nozzle. This is an investment and if you want it to continue working like it did the first day, you need to take care of it.

2. Do not leave left over or dirty water in the tank when you put it away. This will wear away at the joints and increases the chances the leaks.

3. Do not leave left over detergent in the tank .. see #2.

4. Read the directions when you put it together and make sure you read how to use this rather than just take it out and turn it on. I never read the first manual and didn''t realize I should have been cleaning and using the spray button a totally different way.

This is a great machine and I hope it will last just as if not longer now that I know how to take care of and use it properly.

Ten months ago we bought $7000 of new light-colored carpeting. Two months ago we got two new puppies and one new shelter dog (none of which were housebroken), in addition to our other three dogs (one of which is a senior citizen and becoming incontinent). We live in an area with coyotes and mountain lions and we cannot leave our dogs out at night.

Needless to say, our new carpet took a huge, devastating hit while we all adjusted to our new life together. On top of all that, we live in a rural mountain community and the amount of dust and dirt and mud that blows in and/or gets tracked in is astounding, no matter how careful we try to be. I thought a few rooms of carpeting might not be salvageable.

So my Mom''s Day gift to myself was the Hoover F7412-900 SteamVac Dual V Widepath Carpet Cleaner with the Hoover Pet Formula Detergent. O.M.G. My carpet looks and smells absolutely brand new. Stains and odors that I thought might be in the carpet permanently all came out. I''m really shocked. I didn''t expect such a great result.

I love the light clean smell of the Pet Formula... it''s not overpowering by any means (and I used a lot). The Hoover SteamVac and the Hoover Pet Formula detergent saved our carpet.

As far as the SteamVac itself, I find it super easy to refill the clean water tank and empty the dirty water tank. It''s a heavy machine, so I''m glad they didn''t make the tanks any larger, as it would have been way too heavy for me to handle. The way it is now, it''s perfect... I plan to use it frequently for carpet maintenance.

I know I sound like a cheesy infomercial for Hoover now, but I can''t help it. My husband and I are beyond thrilled!

*Several months later... I just posted before/after photos of our dining room (one of the main thoroughfares in our house). I''m a bit ashamed -it''s like announcing to the public what size underwear I buy or publishing pictures of myself without makeup first thing in the morning. I mean, my carpet was THAT bad... but hey, we''re all friends, right? I want you to see the nasty carpet I had and how beautifully restored it was after using the Hoover. Just remember this: push the Hoover slowly back and forth across your carpet. Don''t rush a good thing. You''ll get fabulous results that way.

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I just got this carpet cleaner from Amazon.com and I am so happy with it. It outcleans everything I''ve ever used before, including professional cleaning companies. I owned a Kirby years ago and it can''t hold a candle to this Hoover cleaner. I found it was much easier to use than the rug doctor, which I''ve rented many times, and since I own it, I don''t have to haul it back to the store and I have all the time I want to clean my carpets.

It was very easy to use, and I particularly like the clean water rinse feature. It gets all the detergent residue out, and my carpet was soft and lofty after cleaning. Just think, you wouldn''t wear your clothes washed and not rinsed.

The power is awesome, my carpet was practically dry when I finished. I got back very close to the amount of water that was dispensed. My carpet was dry enough to walk on in an hour and vacuum in 2 hours. This machine is so well made that I look forward to having soft clean carpet for years to come. It has the quality that I expected from a Hoover. I researched all brands of cleaners dilligently on the net and even looked at some brands, including Bissell, in a store before I decided on this particular Hoover machine. I''ve never been so happy while cleaning my carpets before. I had it out of the box and ready to go in minutes. It''s as easy to use as a vacuum cleaner, plus, Amazon''s sale price was cheaper than any price for the same machine that I found. I am a happy camper with this purchase!

Read Best Reviews of Hoover MaxExtract Dual V Carpet Cleaner Here

I saw the product at a retailer, then saw it priced less on Amazon (plus no tax or shipping), so I said what the heck, try it. I have a medium-tan carpet and two dogs and two cats. The cleaner was easy to assemble. All you need is a phillips screw driver. I''m not to swift at using carpet cleaners, but once I got the hang of it, it was easy to use and it REALLY WORKED!

One of the attractive features is the large waste tank. It allows you to cover allot of area before stopping to empty it. Also, the vacuum really sucks up the water/cleaner solution in the carpet, the carpet dried really fast. I wouldn''t hesitate using it the same day if I were hosting a family get together. I highly recommend this SteamVac.

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My parents told me they wanted to buy me a carpet cleaner for my birthday and were planning to get a Bissell similar to the one they have. I have a Consumer Reports subscription, so I figured I''d be able to find out what CR thought about various brands and models. It turns out that, as of January 2009, Consumer Reports hasn''t even bothered to test carpet cleaners.

So I hopped online to check out some reviews elsewhere, and the Bissell didn''t fare very well. In Amazon''s customer reviews, the Hoovers outperformed Bissells across the board. There was a sale at a local store, so I started looking at reviews for any Hoovers that the store sold. It didn''t take long to narrow down my choices to the Dual-V Widemouth and the All-Terrain (which both had great reviews on Amazon), so I opted for the cheaper one--which was also $20 cheaper than the Bissell my parents had originally planned to buy!

Well, yesterday was my birthday and we did the family thing today, so I got to open up my present and try it out for the first time. It didn''t take long at all for me to realize that my new Hoover beats Bissell, hands-down. You can stop reading now, because there''s simply no comparison.

Hmmm...I can see you''re still reading, so I guess you didn''t believe me the first time. Fine, I''ll make a few comparisons:

1. Sure, the Bissell ProHeat has a built-in heater, but you put hot water into the thing anyway and the water stays hot until you spit it onto the floor and suck it back up, so the heater offers no advantage, whatsoever.

2. The 6 circular spinning scrub brushes do a better job scrubbing than the long drum brush that most other carpet cleaners seem to have (including my parents'' Bissell and all the other Bissells I looked at during my couple days'' worth of research). The big long brush just strokes the carpet a few times each rotation, while the circular spinning brushes have tons of bristles constantly rubbing against the carpet.

3. The Hoover destroys stains and dirty patches that the Bissell could hardly even lighten.

4. The Hoover has separate dirty and clean water tanks, both about the same capacity. (There is one gotcha: the dirty tank looks like it can hold almost twice as much, but it doesn''t. You''ll see what I mean if you use it. I''ts not a problem though; just empty the dirty tank whenever you refill the clean tank.) My parents'' Bissell ProHeat has one tank that has separate compartments for both clean and dirty water. Since it''s physically only about the size of one of the Hoover''s tanks, the Bissell''s capacity is only about half that of the Hoover--which means you''ll be dumping and refilling twice as often.

5. The Hoover''s first-time use is a little more complicated than that of some of the other carpet cleaners I''ve used, but this machine has extra attachments and is easier to clean. Just read the book the first time you''re about to use it, and remember to clean the tanks and the pick-up area after each use. It''s pretty easy to figure out after that.

Still not convinced? Well, how about a little story. My parents brought their Bissell ProHeat carpet cleaner over to my house soon after I bought the place, and my dad did a thorough cleaning. He ran over a dirty patch in the hallway about 20 times, and spent a good 45 minutes trying to clean a stain in front of the fireplace--he must have gone over that stain at least 30 times. My fiance and I have borrowed both my parents'' carpet cleaner and her mom''s carpet cleaner a couple times since then, and no matter how many times we''ve tried cleaning the carpets, both the dirty patch and the stain defiantly stood their ground, just mocking us.

I ran my new Hoover SteamVac Dual-V Widepath over the hallway patch a couple times, and the dirty patch now almost matches the rest of the carpet. Then, for the true test, I took the cleaner down to the basement and cleaned that spot in front of the fireplace. I ran over it once and it seemed like it might be a little lighter. I thought, "Hmm, should have gotten a before & after shot." Then, later on, I ran over it a couple more times and seemed to make even a little more progress. "I guess that''s a tough stain, so this isn''t too bad," I thought.

Then I realized that my new carpet cleaner was still set on "rinse" for the second and third passes. I switched it back to "wash" and attacked the stain from a couple different angles. Now you can hardly even tell there was ever a stain there! I''ve had that stain for 4 years, and nothing--not spot cleaner, not carpet cleaners, and no amount of scrubbing--could put a dent in that stain. But a few passes with the Hoover erased the stain.

If you''re going to buy a carpet cleaner, buy this one.

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Culligan HF-360A Whole House Sediment Filter Clear Housing Save 31% Off

Culligan HF-360A Whole House Sediment Filter Clear Housing with P5, 5 Micron Poly Spun Sediment Filter Cartridge Included
  • Patented shut off valve for easy cartridge replacement
  • Use for whole house, inline, or under sink
  • Accepts most standard water filter cartridges
  • 3/4" FIP for in-line installation (fittings not included)
  • Includes a 5 year warranty

I purchased this filter to use only for filling my hot tub. The temp dropped below freezing and the bottom housing shattered like someone dropped a grenade in it even though it was empty at the time! My fault. The precautions specifically state to it must be protected against freezing. I went to manufactures site to order a replacement housing but after shipping costs, I discovered I could order the whole unit from Amazon for $3 more. I also noted that the manufacturer recommends replacing the bottom housing every 5 years for the clear housing and very ten years for the opaque housing.

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5 stars for a water filter?

Well my current one conked out, and this is the replacement one that fits my existing filters. Best price I could find, no tax, no shipping. Sometimes Amazon really amazes me with the amount of stuff you can find here.

Unbolted my old filter, bolted this one in, and saved myself a fortune in plumbing costs. And the $50 worth of cartridges I have won''t go to waste.

Couldn''t be more pleased with both the product and Amazon

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We had our contractor install the HF360 today. He has installed many whole house filters in the past but ran into trouble with this one. Basically, when water was sent through the filter, it leaked out the very top. (Not where the clear housing meets the blue top part an issue with the gasket but the blue, built-in shut-off valve.) We called the 800 number listed on the box and they were no help what-so-ever. We went to Culligan.com and found this number 1-877-386-0823. The person on the other end was able to help us right away almost anticipating what the problem was. The top part had to be disassembled and the interior parts needed to be tightened as they were not tightened as tight as they could have been in the factory. We did as instructed and now it works without leaks.

Before your own installation, I would recommend that the entire top blue part be checked by the installer before installation tightening as needed. And don''t forget that you will need to pick up your own filters (we chose the P5-D Level 4) and fittings for either end of the unit. Our contractor was able to build a custom bracket to keep the whole unit supported as well.

So far, no leaks and the filter is already turning pink from all the rust in our water supply. I will try to update this review regarding how easy (or not) changing the filter is. Fingers crossed. So, four stars and not five for the issue with having to tighten the interior bits on our own.

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This filter seems to work OK. Its fairly new yet.

Install was simple enough.

But when I turned the water on it had a slow leak around the handle at the top (not between the clear body and the blue top)... since I had it hard plumbed into my system I didn''t want to take it off. I turned the water off and did some investigating and under the handle there are 4 screws. I took those out and there is an O-ring around the handle interior. I put a bunch of plumbing silicone grease on the o-ring, reassembled it, and the leak was FIXED.

So be advised... If you get a leak coming under the handle you can fix it. Just be sure to turn the water off first!

I downgraded the product to 3 stars since I had to fix it. Now it seems to work OK.

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I was lucky enough to already have one of these installed in the house I bought in 2004. Just the thing for a well water system. The drinking water gets further refined by a reverse osmosis filter, but no sediment in any of the water in the house.

Cats Rule Frog Watering Hole Water Fountain Save 4% Off

Cats Rule Frog Watering Hole Water Fountain, White and GreenGiven the price of this product, I figured it was a fairly low risk entry point in the world of cat fountains. Sadly, the price was reflective of the quality.

The product is just as pictured. It comes in 3 pieces the main plastic basin, a second plastic riser/basin, and a frog which sits upon the second piece. Water is sucked through a motor hidden below the riser and is pushed through a tube and out the frog''s mouth. The motor is adjustable, with 3 power settings and the package comes with two carbon filters.

It took some work out of the box to adjust the rubber tubing running through the frog to ensure that water was getting pushed through. Even with adjustment, quite a bit of water leaks into the small elevated basin below the frog. It is worth mentioning that the frog is made of hollow plastic and is thus prone to mildew.

The fountain dispenses into a small dish, it was not wide enough to allow our cat to drink from the bowl without being splashed by the stream. For this reason our cat would barely approach the fountain except to occasionally drink from the VERY shallow top reservoir.

The motor is noisy and can be heard humming over the sound of the splashing water, it began malfunctioning about 2 weeks after purchase. The fountain stopped spouting, no matter the setting, and was very loud even on low. After disassembling the motor and cleaning out the fountain, the noise was reduced, but waterflow could not be returned to normal. The best flow I could get was a stream into the top basin on the high setting and a dribble down the frog''s chin on both medium and low.

This fountain was a waste of time and money. Our cat wouldn''t go near it, it molded quickly, and then it broke. Save yourself and your pet the frustration skip this item.

We were given this as a gift by friends after their two cats refused to drink from it. They think the cats were scared by the noise.

Our cat loves noise climbing up in the window to see what is happening whenever the construction across the street gets noisy! Our cat is fine with drinking out of this fountain. Probably drinks a little more water than she would otherwise. (She still likes the toilet, as well, though!)

There isn''t that much noise a low hum which gets louder if the water gets too low.

Overall a fine product and it seems cheaper than comparable cat fountains. Just be warned that your cat may not go for it.

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We put this item on our wedding registry just for fun and thankfully someone bought it for us, because our cat loves it. We''ve been using it for about 4 months and right now I''m searching to stock up on refill filters so that we can use it long-term. Our cat was a little hesitant about drinking out of it at first, but now she loves it and ignores her other water bowls. She drinks out of the stream coming out of the frogs mouth. Only problem is that if the stream out of the frog''s mouth stops, she gets quite upset. Usually fiddling with the frog or changing the water fixes the issue fairly easily. I was having some major problems with the water flow for a day or two, but changing the filter resolved the issue.

Read Best Reviews of Cats Rule Frog Watering Hole Water Fountain Here

This is everything I had wanted it to be!

Pros: very easy to assemble, not too loud, very cute

Cons: the filters it came with seemed cheap and flimsy, but that''s easily fixed with buying some better ones [the ones it came with were free after all]

Overall this water dish is easy to use to put together and VERY cute.

It is everything I wanted.

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I got this to try before buying a more expensive fountain. We have had this for 3 months with no problems. The motor only makes noise when the water level gets too low. You do have to fiddle with it at first to get the water to splash in the "pond" where you want it to without making too much noise, but it is not hard to do. It is fairly easy to clean and our cat loves it.

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Hayward PSV3SM 3-Way External Thread Diverter Valve Save 22% Off

Hayward PSV3SM 3-Way External Thread Diverter Valve, CPVC MaterialI already owned one, so when my Pool Man reinstalled my 2" lines, he moved

my 1st Hayward Valve over to my Inputs, (Drain & Filter) to better control

the flow mix to my Pump.. I had also ordered a New Hayward Heater..

so when my pool man just piped my Filter Output to the Heater..

I needed a new 3-Way.. to avoid sending powdered Chlorine into the Heater Copper Tubes all the time. This unit does the job perfectlyto bypass the heater most of the year

A Bonus,, the unit quickly unbolts, so that I can adjust everything.

I also took the Valve Lever off,& spray-painted the lower triangle surface openings 1-side Green; the other Red,, with the protuding one left White Which provides an instant indication to my Pool Services, just what the

setup is.. Since I kept my 1st Hayward filter & added a Larger Filter

.. to give me more days between backwashing the (2)Cartridges.

I also got the Threaded version (Cheaper& better to install.). since it

means I don''t permanently cement into the Valves, but use 2" pieces

to more easily fit into my system upgrades, later allow the threaded

pipes to unscrew.. My old system had many junctions cemented. Now I can more easily adjust the systems layouts as desired.

Also very fast 2 day Amazon Service.. Tho they repackaged the original

shipping 4x6" box into a much larger 14" box.. Wt 2.7 lbs.

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Mr. Coffee TM1 2-quart Ice Tea Maker

Mr. Coffee TM1 2-quart Ice Tea MakerI had the old one with the orange top. That one has a top basket to hold the tea bags which incorporates a side lever to plug the bottom drain hole, and an overflow channel so just the last couple of cups steep the tea until you pull the lever to release them. The new one with the blue basket has done away with that lever (I''m guessing to cut costs) and just put a little bit smaller hole at the bottom. They also tell you to use a coffee filter in the basket in addition to the teabags themselves, which after all are little paper filters. This is probably to slow down the run-out of the tea to help it steep it a little bit longer. My favorite combination of bags is one bag or Celestial Seasons Red Zinger, one Lipton Mango, and two Red Rose decaf''s. In the old one I would let this combination of tea steep for maybe 10 minutes, and it came out perfectly. Using the same bags with the new one makes *really* tasteless, watery tea.

I just found a new model that makes 3 quarts and has a dial on the front for what they call "brew strength". This is a decided advantage over the other revised model. Also, you get a quart more of tea per cycle. You pour the water directly into the unit, where there is a window on the front with markings for 1, 2 and 3 quarts. The container has markings for how much ice to use for 1, 2 and 3 quarts. This is a better design, IMHO. Also, the pitchers are shorter, so fit in more places in your fridge, and the handles don''t attach at the pitcher bottom, so you can nest them for storage. This is a big advantage over the old style. The new one comes with 2 pitchers. You can turn them both upside-down over the base unit to save even more storage space.

My recomendation: don''t buy the newer 2 quart blue basket model. Hold out for the 3 quart model. And here''s the kickerI found mine at Wal-Mart for $2.00 less than Target was selling the 2 quart model!

Once you get into the habit of drinking iced tea instead of soda, you''ll never go back. The savings in calories, money and hassle of returnable bottles and cans will have you hooked.

I was born and Raised in North Carolina so i know Ice tea especially sweet Ice Tea! I do not drink coffee but I drink 4 gallons of sweet tea on a slow week, and I make it all in one day on the weekend so I have to do it as efficiently as possible! This pot works great to brew the tea easily but god help you if you try to pour it into a glass from the included pitcher! It runs all down the front of pitcher onto the floor, your dog, your feet, etc! Personally I have the older 3qt model with the round pitcher and it works great, but at my urging that newer must be better my mom and dad bought this newly designed model (They were making tea in a pot like grandma did it) Well between my mom, my dad, myself and my wife none of us can pour tea out of this thing without having to wipe down the pot, the counter and even the floor and your feet on occasion! Do not buy this triangular shaped 3qt Ice tea pot, instead buy the one with the round pot. It is also made by MR coffee, and it works quite well both brewing and pouring, no wet feet, no sticky counter and floor. I am willing to bet the engineer that designed this thing never even tried to pour a glass of tea out of it! It looks good, but lacks function. Like I said if you want fast easy ice tea get the Mr coffee 3qt model with the round pitcher and save a lot of hassle and mess! If you have to mop up the counter and floor it defeats the purpose of using a time-saving appliance!

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Just wanted to add mine to the list of voices pointing out the the design flaw in this product... which is that the included pitcher is useless for pouring without spilling tea everywhere. I don''t even try anymore unless it''s over the sink... Expect to get rougly 2.5 of the three quarts in your glass.. the rest? floor, counter, pretty much whatever surface was near the glass you were pouring into.

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The lid that doesn''t fit and gets tea all over the floor. The fact that tea is down inside double layer pitcher but one more is the fact that after the tea cuts off you need to wait at least fifteen minutes before removing the tea pitcher from under the maker because thats how long it takes for all the tea to drain out of basket. Hot tea running down counters is not a pretty sight.

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This product has been redesigned. The new model number is TM30P. The new pitcher is round, and pours easily. The lid is still a bit tight, but no problems so far. Got mine on sale for $17.94, including a second pitcher at a local retailer that begins with a W. ;)

GE FXSCH Shower Filtration System Replacement Filter Save 24% Off

GE FXSCH Shower Filtration System Replacement Filter
  • The GE FXSCH Replacement Shower Filter is used in the GE GXSM01HWW Shower Filter System
  • Reduces the effect of Chlorine on Skin and Hair
  • Also Reduces Unpleasant Chlorine Odor, Ruse ans Sediment
  • No tools needed to change the GE FXSCH water filter
  • Each GE FXSCH water filter gives you up to 6 months of filtered water. The filter should be changed after 6 months of use or 10,000 gallons, whichever comes first

We wanted to do something about our shower water, because our water is chlorinated and fluoridated. This filter does not claim to filter fluoride, but it is supposed to reduce the chlorine.

Honestly, I''m kind of skeptical about it, because my husband and I both can still smell the chlorine in our water. Also, how much could this possibly filter, with water coming through so quickly.

Still, I suspect it makes SOME difference, so a "reduced" effect is better than nothing.

I buy these filters at my local Home Depot; they''re cheaper there than here on Amazon.

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This filter works great for taking most of the chlorine out of the shower, it doesn''t get it all though. I notice a big difference in my skin when it needs changed, much drier and itchy.

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Product arrived quickly, as advertised. I will do business again with this merchant. Good quality product at a great price.

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These worked perfectly. Easy to install. Have saved my hair from being a broken spilt-end mess because there is too much chlorine in my water without this filter.

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pretty satisfied with the water now, but after all the filtration the smell of the water is still pretty dominant. Overall i like the water better than straight out of the pipes.

Crown Berkey Water Purification System Save 23% Off

Crown Berkey Water Purification System w/8 Black Filters
  • Crown Berkey Stainless Steel Water Filter System
  • 8 Black Berkey Water Purification Filters
  • Can use all 8 purifiers simultaneously for maximum flow rate
  • Can filter up to 26 gallons per hour (when filled to capacity)
  • Holds 6 gallons of filtered water

Anyone that has looked very long knows that this is the best passive water filter around. I looked everywhere for this item. This is the best price/deal around. Delivery was fast, Packing was great, communication great. FYI the Berkey comes with some plugs for the top tank so you don''t have to use all the filters at once. It also comes with a black anti-scoot ring that goes around the bottom of the unit to prevent scratching counter tops. An additional item to look for and buy is a site glass for the bottom tank so you can see how full/empty it is.

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BISSELL Steam Shot Hard-Surface Cleaner Save 24% Off

BISSELL Steam Shot Hard-Surface Cleaner, 39N7AI''ve had good luck with Bissell products, so, given conflicting reviews for other devices an insufficient reviews for the Steam Shot, I purchased one.

OK--it''s true. Infomercials for such products are deceptive. Using chemical cleaners is a great deal faster and "easier" than this. Tortoise vs. the hare: This trudges very slowly compared to traditional cleaning. It requires patience.

My concerns with chemical cleaners include the residues left over that attract dirt and dust again, the unpleasantness of using and then worrying about chemicals, and, the concerns about using them near foodstuffs, utensils, prep and cooking surfaces, and, pots and pans.

The advantage of the Steam Shot (and, likely other similar "electric kettle" hand held colleague devices) is, that once a surface or item is clean, it really "is" clean. I don''t have any fear or qualms even about using this on kitchen utensils, bread makers, microwaves, and, oven windows. It''s also very good at cleaning kitchen cabinet fronts and vertical surfaces such as the outside of the dishwasher, trash compactor, and the fridge. One thing this is extraordinary at is getting at dirt between a metal (or porcelain) surface (say, a sink or stove) and counter tops (Formica, etc.). It''s amazing at "rooting" out such dirt! This is also true of the "line" between back splashes and counter tops. I think that "touch-up" cleaning later on will be faster and easier....

Candle wax on the brick of the hearth? (Or a wall?--I''ll need now to patch-paint!) The wax is tedious to remove in any case, yet, this is the best solution I''ve found--the unit definitely will melt wax so that it''s easier to remove--absolutely!

As for waiting on the steam, I''m simply busy with scrubbing with a cloth or noting where to clean next--this is not a big problem for me; it seems that, as time goes on, heating up again is pretty fast. I''ve heard the item''s boiling water while heating up. Although it''s not always so hot, the steam can become really hot--I certainly believe it becomes hot enough to kill pathogens! It may certainly burn fingers, also, so precautions are smart. Despite what other reviewers think, my Steam Shot becomes very hot: It works! I''m not absolutely certain, but the "kettle" inside appears to be comprised of metal. The plastic of the unit and of the accessories appears to be high quality, also.

(When finished with the Steam Shot--allow it to cool sufficiently, then, slowly open the knob until it''s removed (steam may slowly vent while opening). Then, before dumping the water, turn the unit slowly on its side over your sink and dump the water out--away from you--hopefully, the water won''t "jet" out into your sink really quickly or explosively. (If so, this indicates that the water still is super-heated and dangerous (after all, it was both heated and pressurized): You don''t want it ever to "jet" out at you or anyone else. Let the unit cool sufficiently longer next time!)

Conclusion:

This is nifty, and I enjoy cleaning with it. For heavy cleaning, this requires patience, but, I believe patience is rewarded and saves money! For certain unique household cleaning needs, this fits the bill really well! I haven''t tried it, but, a dirty bar-b-q grate likely is too heavy a cleaning task for this. That always has been a pain....

I just used mine for the first time (bought it elsewhere). I used it to clean the stained grout on the kitchen floor. The dog had gotten into the trash several times, so the grout was stained dark brown from coffee grinds. This little steamer did a good job of removing most of the stain. Looking at two sections steamed and unsteamed there is an incredible difference, enough so that my floor will not be embarrassing when I am finished.

I used the grout attachment at first, but then switched to the round brush attachment because it is stiffer. Both did a good job, the round brush a little more so. You get three different colored brushes for different uses, for instance, if you want to keep one for the floor and use another on the kitchen counter or in the bathroom. I will be looking to buy more of these brushes, as I can see that they will not last indefinitely, but nothing does!

I timed my cleaning. Each session lasted about 20 minutes before I needed to refill. I unplugged first, waited about 10 seconds, and then slowly unscrewed the cap from the reservoir. There was a little hiss but no sputtering. In other words, waiting just a few seconds made it safe to open. While I refilled the measuring cup that comes with it, the unit cooled down enough that I was able to refill immediately. Put the cap back on, plug it in, wait about a minute or two, and I was good to go again for about another 20 minutes of steam. The key to the refilling process is to unplug first so you don''t get burned.

I used the window attachment to clean dog drool (easily!) off the kitchen sliding doors. There are other attachments that I haven''t tried yet, but I''m sure I''ll find uses for them. The cord is extra long and heavy duty. This is a handy little cleaner that does have its limitations because of its size. However, the size it an advantage if you just want to clean up something easily and effectively. I bought it because I didn''t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a big steamer. I wanted to test try something smaller to see if steam cleaning stands up to its good reputation. It does!

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I think it''s good, but I wish it had a little more power. I like to clean the nooks and cranies in the bath and around the shower door. I don''t mind the size, I can get two bathrooms clean before the steam runs out. I think being able to shut it off until it is ready for use is a great feature. thumbs up!

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Just received delivery of my new Bissell Steam Shot Hard Surface Cleaner on the exact date that Amazon scheduled. Note that, for several years, I''ve been using a Euro-Pro model that is attached to a floor canister and includes the floor attachment. I love it but lately, find that when using the handheld attachment, I''m tripping around the cord, hose, or canister so decided to look for a handheld model. I purchased a Haan a few months ago but sent it back because it just didn''t measure up to my old Euro-Pro. After more research, I purchased the Bissell and I''m SO pleased with it. It was well packaged and the instructions are clear and simple. I didn''t think you could go wrong with a Bissell.

This little guy is ready in 3 minutes, and needs just about 5 minutes to cool down if you need to refill it. And I was amazed at how long it lasted without running out of steam.

I wanted to do a test run. During the course of 30 minutes, I cleaned my kitchen countertops, sink, glass-top stove, glass tabletop, bathroom sink and vanity, and various small items, like the holders for our Sonicare toothbrushes. It gets into cracks and crevices and blows the dirt away (just wipe wherever it falls). I was just trying it out and didn''t plan on any elaborate cleaning job. When I emptied the canister, I couldn''t believe how much water remained!

I was concerned because it didn''t have a control to leave the unit on but the power button is so well designed that it is no problem at all. I got into the rhythm of steaming with my left hand and wiping with my right hand, wherever feasible.

As an old hand at steam cleaning, may I offer a few tips.

1. Follow the instructions that are shipped with any steam unit.

2. Allow the unit to get hot. (The Bissell takes only 3 minutes.)

3. Steam small sections at a time and wipe immediately with a clean cloth or paper towel.

You can clean almost anything -from bathrooms and kitchens to lamp shades and silk plants as well as BBQ grills and autos. Like any cleaning solution, you do have to wipe but the result feels so clean. No residue!

I''d highly recommend this unit.

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I purchased this Bissell Steam Shot Hard Surface Cleaner, for jobs like cleaning our kitchen grout, and along baseboards, and of course the sliding shower door tracks. Boy it does the job. I also got it for my husbands little garage frig. but have not used it there yet. It gets hot so fast, and the steam does last a long time. Of course you use up the little brushes it comes with, they kind of melt in the steam, so I just use an old tooth brush on the inside microwave things, and a stiff grout brush on the grout. You do have to scrub as you steam, you can''t expect a miracle with just steam. But I know around the kitchen floor base boards it gets it good. We use a Haan floor steamer and love it too. But didn''t choose their steamer because of reviews. I wanted steam because it is natural, and I am sure it is killing germs. I love this one and would buy it again.

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Takeya 64-Ounce Iced Tea Maker with Silicone Handle Save 29% Off

Takeya 64-Ounce Iced Tea Maker with Silicone Handle, Avocado/OliveI''m so glad I found this tea brewer. I had the Bodum Ceylon brewer for about a year and I would imagine that it''s one of the main alternatives to the Takeya.

I''ll do a quick comparison:

Durability honestly, i''ve only had it for about a month but it''s obviously made of better quality, or at least, more durable material. i''m not overly concerned about it breaking. the bodum ceylon i had cracked after using it for about a year and with relatively light usage as in not every day or even every week of the year. time will tell, but i don''t think this is gonna break so easily. the quality feels better in the hand. doesn''t feel cheap.

Infuser/Filtering ability the holes on the bodum are large and so smallish leaf or the "dust" gets through quite easily into the brewed tea. the filter on the takeya is very fine and so far i''ve had clear cups of iced tea. i''ve been making white tea which has a larger leaf though. i''m thinking that it would do okay with japanese teas which tend have a very fine, almost ground up, leaf. i think takeya is a japanese brand so i would imagine they''d make a brewer that would do a reasonable job on their teas.

the infuser on the bodum though extends the length of the pitcher and so you don''t need to fill it up. you would need to fill up the takeya to at least where the tea leaves are in the filter in order to make the tea. you may not want that much and you don''t have the option of choosing.

Looks the bodum was nice to look at but the material easily took on a cloudy, not so new looking appearance. it looked old after the first usage. i like the takeya i like green top since that''s my fave color. this particular takeya model is tall so you should take measurements in your fridge to make sure it''ll fit wherever you plan to put it. the bodum model is slender which is nice. it slides in easily to narrow areas.

Ease of use the takeya filter/infuser twists into the top/lid. that''s very cool. it''s very easy. the bodum slides into grooves/tracks on the side of the pitcher. you just have to make sure you get into the grooves; they are easily missed. you also flip this thing at the handle to open the top. the air can also easily access the tea because it''s not really closed off. the takeya has a twist open top that will allow you to pour, without excess spillage. and tea stays fresher.

BPA if you care, takeya says it is bpa free. i don''t know about bodum. it''s not on the description.

so, obviously i prefer this one. it''s a nice product. i''m looking forward to making more iced tea. i use the cold (no heat) brewing method by the way.

I saw a larger version of this with a separate brewer so you''d make the tea in one vessel and then store it in another. I went in search of something more practical and this is it.

1. Good capacity and design. Makes plenty of tea and stores on the fridge shelf or on the door.

2. Some don''t like the fact that the filter screws into the lid. I do like it. If you make a whole container, that''s enough loose tea to have small pieces of your tea floating out of the top of the filter if you make a whole pitcher.

3. I use a java bop for my iced tea and haven''t found even a speck of leaf in the finished product. Great sized mesh.

4. I use the hot water method and it stays HOT for a really long time. At first I was annoyed that I had to wait so long for it to cool down before chilling it. Then I realized that it makes it great for a table pitcher for hot beverages. I can wait for something that performs a dual-purpose well.

5. Great for using herbs, etc. to infuse just about anything. Ideas? Please share!

Buy Takeya 64-Ounce Iced Tea Maker with Silicone Handle Now

I had been looking at this and my wife bought it for me recently. Yes, it''s plastic, but that''s not a big deal to me. In fact, the plastic seems to be pretty sturdy, and not thin/cheap. The filter is a plastic mesh, so we''ll see how long that holds up. I use it for brewing black loose tea and it''s been good so far. Just boil water in the electric kettle and pour in. I only use around 3 teaspoons of black tea in the filter when I fill this thing up and it''s fine. I could probably get away with a little less, but I''m still experimenting. The filter unit screws into the the lid, which then screws on to the top. After 5 min, pull it out and rinse the filter. My electric kettle only holds up to 1.7 liters of water, so it doesn''t quite fill up the pitcher. It''s actually perfect, because I put ice cubes in to top it off. Then let it finish cooling on the counter for an hour or so. After that I can put the lid on and place in the fridge to finish cooling. It does the job I wanted, which was an easy way to make a large amount, using the loose tea.

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How do I cope with Heatwave 2011? With copious amounts of iced coffee, courtesy of this little Takeya gem.

I fill the tea reservoir with ground coffee (running a little water into the coffee as I fill the reservoir), then fill the pitcher with water (leaving about 3/4" air gap), screw the cap/coffee reservoir on, and let it "perk" overnight in the refrigerator. Perfect iced coffee!

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Nearly all the bad reviews are from people who didn''t read the description carefully enough and thought they were getting a glass pitcher. "AcraGlass" is a trade name for clear acrylic. Yes, the name is misleading, but when the description says "more durable than glass" and "BPA-free", a careful reader can infer it''s a type of plastic.

I love that the mesh on the infuser is very fine. Even when brewing red tea, which is very small, only a small amount of the finest dust makes it through. The lid seals tight, or opens for pouring with 1/4 turn, so it''s easy to keep your tea fresh. And it''s narrow enough to fit easily in a fridge door.

The bottom of the infuser is solid plastic, which allows you to press down with a spoon to extract the liquid from your tea leaves without worries about damaging the mesh. But I will say the mesh is so fine and delicate that I do worry about how it will hold up over time. The solid bottom also makes it slightly harder to rinse out, because you can''t run water straight through the bottom. But that''s a minor quibble.

I''ve had mine about a month, and so far I''ve just rinsed it well and let it air dry. No problems with scratching or clouding... yet.

Now that I have this pitcher, I''m able to easily enjoy iced versions of the same loose teas that I like to drink hot during the winter.

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Ionways Isis Water Ionizer (Jupiter Isis)

Ionways Isis Water IonizerThe product was delivered quickly and easy to set up. My main problem was finding a faucet to hook it up to. I have lots of faucets but they are a little fancy with pull out spouts and don''t allow for the machine to screw on to it. I had to put it up in my bedroom and hook it to a faucet up there so it is a little inconvenient. I still use it to drink healthy water but don''t get to cook with it or clean so much with the acidic water. It is a nice looking unit and does hat it says. I am happy with it.

Koldfront PAC1401W Ultracool 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner Save 26% Off

Koldfront PAC1401W Ultracool 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner, WhiteI live in Arizona and needed something better than a Evap cooler for my garage. This unit works well even when the outside temp is 115 degrees. It will bring the inside garage temp down to 85 degrees in 700 sq feet of garage.

The Koldfront portable A/C is fantastic! Why waste money cooling an entire home if you are mainly using one room? We turn the main A/C on for the whole house about 30 minutes a day, and then it is off! We have one portable for the front living area and one for the bed room. We placed a sliding wood panel to go over the screen on the window outside over the hose opening in case of rain. We never have to worry about those horror stories of this one leaking water.

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Koldfront PAC1401W Ultracool 14,000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner, White

We''ve had this unit used in a really humid place and it doesn''t quite pass the basic test of cooling. A small basement area of about 360-380 sq ft with no windows (vented through a small wall outlet). After setting it on max for about 3 hours it went as low as 79 degrees and down to 78 degrees for 5 mins and hovered around 80 thereafter. I checked the venting and it seem to be blowing hot air out of the space. Seem like it just isn''t as strong as what I expected it to be.

After about three days of use, I notice a moisture on the bottom of the unit and water stains on the concrete next to the unit. Moisture is the worst possible thing for a basement. Checked but mold didn''t seem to appear so we''re ok there. The basement is fairly empty and the noise from this thing echoes so loud that you can hear it from upstairs.

Generally not a very good product.

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Don''t buy Edgestar Products! The warranty is poor, the service is worse. Local service shops (A/C) don''t want to work on. Edgestar wants $300 to even look at it plus shipping. My unit was near $500 a few years back, it started leaking water the first season. With only 11 hours on it I can throw it in the dumpster. These are throw away units, just remember when purchasing nothing more. There are better units, but will cost a few hundred more. Also, remember that these unit when used in a garage are not effective once temps reach near 90 with high humidity. Be prepared to empy the pan every hour. The evaporation cycle is garbage, water collects in the hose and creates mold don''t use these units in your home. Another example of poorly manufactured, poorly supported off-shore junk!

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Arrived damaged, liquid leaking out of it as well as dented returned it and didn''t reorder due to expecting the same treatment with the next one. Never got a chance to try the product to know if it is a good AC or not. sad!

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Cuisinart DCC-RWF Replacement Coffeemaker Water Filters

Cuisinart DCC-RWF-6PK Charcoal Water Filters, 2 Year Supply, 12 FiltersIf you own a Cuisinart DGB-600BC Grind and Brew, Brushed Chrome or the Cuisinart DGB-550BK Grind-and-Brew 12-Cup Automatic Coffeemaker, you will quickly realize the secret to the great coffee brewed is the water filter. Unfortunately, the local big box stores just don''t carry these necessary filters. Searching on-line, the best combination deal was found with these filters, i.e. quantity = 12 (two-years of usage if you change every two months) and price (this is the best price for the quantity/shipping that I found). Unlike other vendors, this one delivered as scheduled.

These built-in filters really do help keep the coffee tasting fresh and clean. We''d left the original filter in the machine for far too long, and the addition of a new, clean filter has made a huge difference I wouldn''t have believed it without experiencing the difference. The 2-year supply is a great deal, too.

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These water filters for the Cuisinart DCC-1200 are worth the price. I didn''t change the original for awhile, but decided to do the maintenance and replace it. I made a big mistake by wasting so much time. After replacing these charcoal water filters (and buying them in volume) there was an immediate difference in taste. I live in NY where the water can be heavily chlorinated with a hint of sulfur. This product eliminates the chemical taste of tap water and let''s me enjoy the real taste of my coffee.

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When comparitive shopping I come to Amazon.com quite a bit and buy through them very often.

Buying these filters in larger quantities does gives a better price per filter. Look above and you will see the "item" described as 20 lbs for shipping. These are EXTREMELY light.

The weight is inflated and charges more than actual for shipping. (Who knows if they meant to enter 2 lbs or 20 lbs?? Could be accidental or on purpose.) I''m in the process of ordering a set of 12 filters somewhere else for about $2 more, but shipping is about $14 less.

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I got 12 filters stuffed in a shipping bag. These are obviously NOT genuine cuisinart filters. If you are ok with that so be it. I dont want to make coffee with unknown contaminants.

I did write to Amazon concerning the alleged fraud and they responded. Evidently they are going to refund my card and suggested I order the original filters using the link they provide, and am doing so see this:

"I understand your concern and I''m so sorry for the problem you had with this order with the seller.

I have researched for the details and am sorry for any misunderstandings regarding the seller of this order form the auto confirmation emails. I''d like to inform you that the seller of your order# xxx with whom you placed your order is " WildWin ". The Manufacturer of the item in your order which you placed is "Cuisinart ".

I''d also like to inform you that the Manufacturer "Cuisinart " is also selling the item on our website which is shown in the current listing (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001685ULE/ref=oss_product).

Regarding your order I''m sorry to hear that " WildWin " didn''t write back. However As this is a seller order and we can not directly create a replacement for this kind of order from our side I''ve submitted an A-to-z Guarantee claim on your behalf for order #xxxx. Processing should be complete within 1-2 weeks of the date the claim was submitted. Your Credit card will be reimbursed directly.

However to still receive the correct item please go ahead and place a new order from other seller so that you will receive the correct item. I apologize again for the problem you had with the seller " WildWin " and I''ve forwarded your experience to our investigations team. Each report they receive is investigated and the appropriate action is taken on them. We do not encourage any seller creating this kind of inconvenience to our valuable customers like you."

GO AMAZON!!!