Filtamate Pressure Limiting Valves

This is a great product for fridge with filter. My new Samsung fridge make horrible noise when I use the water dispenser. I call technicians twice and told me that I have too much water pressure. It I lowered the water pressure for the house the sound will go away but the water pressure for the whole house is gone. This worked great, the hammering sound is gone with 50 PSI.

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Black Diamond Wood and Laminate Floor Cleaner

• Provides a streak-free clean every time- No-rinse Hypoallergenic formula
• Great on all types wood or laminate floors
• Is safe around children and pets.
• Removes spills, stains, dirt, dust, oil, footprints-easy to use just spray and wipe
• Saves money and saves time by making cleaning easier and faster

At long last a product that truely cleans laminate flooring well and without streaking. I have tried just about every product made without success. This product cleans better than anything I have ever used on my floors. Clean floors and no streaking! I bought the whole kit and it is perfect. The mop has a sturdy handle and the pads stay very secuely attached to velcro strips. I would recommend buying an extra pad so that you always have a clean one on hand.

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This product was recommended to me by the former owner of my current house. It was all she used on the hardwood floors. It works very easily to get off dirt stuck to the floor and I absolutely love the smell. It makes the room smell good for weeks but in a very non-obtrusive way. I love walking into the house and smelling that wonderful smell. I have allergies and normally won''t use anything with an odor to it, but this is so good that I''ve made an exception to my "no odor allowed" rule.

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Best product I ever found for cleaning wood laminate floors. Absolutely no streaks! Buy it by the gallon if you can so you never run out.

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I''ve had Pergo laminate floors for +10 years and unfortunately Pergo discontinued their floor cleaner.

After trying numerous other products that leave streaks or a dull finish, I cautiously tried this one.

It is amazing! I also bought the microfiber cleaning pads that go right over my swifter mop.

I felt like years of dust came off my floors and they look brand new. The smell is pleasant.

The product deserves a 5 but the fact that it came without a spray nozel took away points :(

Every time I cleaned our Pergo floor there were streaks. I was ending up on my hands and knees buffing up the floor every time I damp mopped it. I started hunting around for a solution here on Amazon.

I stumbled onto Black Diamond Wood and Laminate Cleaner while searching for a microfiber mop pad and decided to give it a try. It lives up to its promise, at least on my floor! I put one of these on my Swiffer: Black Diamond MS 3PK Microswift Microfiber Mop Pad, lightly spritzed the floor with the cleaner and my floors came out looking like new (shiny and clean) with no streaks. The added bonus was that it smelled great too! The smell is light and fresh. It doesn''t overpower at all like some cleaners and it also doesn''t linger very long. I''m not a fan of strong perfumes and it''s not offensive to me at all. I also like it that it''s safe for pets to be around. I don''t need to worry about my dogs running over the floor after I''ve cleaned it.

I''ve been using the cleaner for a couple of months and there is zero residue and no discoloring of my floor or anything weird like that going on. In fact, the floor seems to stay cleaner. Maybe because the spray and microfiber mop combo gets the smallest particles of dirt up.

I highly recommend using the microfiber mop pad with the cleaner. I think that is part of the solution for not getting streaks. I start out with a floor that''s swept & "swiffered" clean already and then I use this spray with the microfiber pad to get the floor looking like new. The microfiber absorbs any leftover "dust" or dirt and the spray gets everything looking shiny with just enough moisture to clean (but not saturate the floor or make it wet).

That''s another plus you don''t need to spray a ton of this on the floor to get it to work. I can see one bottle lasting me about 5 months or more.

I''m going to use this product for the lifetime of my Pergo floor.

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Keurig K-Cup Home Brewer

I bought this Keurig after I had coffee at my sister''s house. The coffee maker I was using at home was your standard traditional one but I found that I kept wasting coffee and then the grounds would go stale. It wasn''t a right fit maker for me. So, I bought this Keurig. The machine seems to take a longer time than my sister''s (whose was more expensive) but it''s fine. The reservoir on the left is handy because it means you don''t have to fill up water every time you make a cup. I find that I need two Keurig cups for a full large mug full of coffee but I knew that going in. All in all, if you drink the occasional cup, or want a variety of flavors, I would recommend this one to you.

My mom bought me this coffee maker for my birthday and I am in love with it. Granted, this the first and only Keurig coffee maker I have had, it does everything it should. And it makes excellent coffee. I can have a warm cup of fantastic-quality coffee in about a minute, start to finish. I have had it for about 3 months now and haven''t had any problems at all. I am planning on buying one for my mom for Christmas.

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We have had it less than three months. We have to descale about once a week. Our water has 1 gram of hardness. Almost perfect. They have sent new water reservoir (which by the way Keurig has great help line). But, honestly for the money the Mr. Coffee is better. You just have to add the water each time. But it works each time. It is very hard to get a consistent full cup of coffee out of this Keurig machine.

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I bought is item and now I am concerned about the increasing cost of k-cups. So I find the solofill on Amazon.com. Great item. Now I use my own coffee and it is .20 per cup.

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My hubby wanted a Keurig because they had the nice big industrial ones in Iraq, I asked him who bought it, he told me that Keurig sent them a ton of free Keurigs, and they sent them a bunch of boxes of coffee, enough to cover hundreds of soldiers at a fob for 2 rotations, to many fobs. With so many crap companies, with crap customer support, most of them don''t stand behind their own products, and this company does more than that, just thought this might make a difference to some people debating buying one of these.

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Copco 24-Ounce Big Joe Thermal Travel Mug

Look, the only people who should be seriously considering this mug are people who need a mug that holds 24 ounces. These are mostly folks that drink 24 ounces of their beverage in the time it takes most folks to drink eight. If you''re in that crowd, read on. If you''re not if you''re looking for a system that will keep your coffee hot for eighteen hours, or that won''t sully the impeccable flavor of your Guaruvian kitty-dung extra roast look elsewhere.

OK, did all those dilettantes leave? If you''re still reading, it''s because you want a 24-ounce (or larger) mug, probably for hot beverages. If that''s the case, you have only a few choices: the CopCo Big Joe (either single or double), the Thermos DF4010, or some plastic mugs offered mostly at hunting/camping or NASCAR sites. The ones from the hunting/camping sites won''t fit into your car cupholders. The NASCAR ones look like they do, but some of them are so huge, they also look like they''ll upset in your lap ever time you take a right turn. So I''m going to keep my comments to the CopCo and Thermos offerings.

I bought both of them several months ago. I have used ''em more-or-less interchangeably since then, and I feel like I have enough information to make a decent review of each. I take my coffee with adulterants (milk & sugar), and I have not noticed any cup-taste being transferred to the coffee. Either of them will keep the coffee hot for the half-hour or so that I usually take to drink it. Both have handles that are only attached at the top: I notice that, when I put either into the car cupholder I usually use, the bottom of the handle extends below the top of the cupholder so that if the handle WERE attached on the bottom, the mug would not fit into the cupholder correctly. I have not noticed any problem with looseness or weakness of the handle on either mug.

The top of the Thermos mug has a slider to cover the drinking hole; the top of the CopCo dies not. The sides of the CopCo fit more snugly into my cupholder, and have rubber traction inserts that help to hold it in place. That said, however, I have not noticed that either has problems with looseness or insecurity in the cupholder.

Neither is dishwasher-safe; the trapped air between the steel exterior and the plastic interior will expand in the dishwasher and possibly crack the plastic. The tops may be dishwasher-safe, but I have not risked them (hey, I''m washing the mug anyway; how tough is it to wash the top, too?). And the tops are NOT interchangeable one with the other.

I like the CopCo better, but for no good reason I can figure out (it may be that I just don''t like the tumblehome sweep of the shape of the Thermos as much). So pay your money and take your choice.

I had a stainless mug and it really kept the coffee hot for a long time, several hours. This mug is much lighter, being that it''s plastic. It feel cheap and doesn''t keep the coffee hot at all, maybe an hour. If you just want something to grab for coffee on the way to work, I guess it''s OK. It fits in a standard cup holder and it''s easy to drink from. It''s not spill proof but it doesn''t splash either. Because it has a metal exterior you can''t microwave it, so you need to drink your coffee within about an hour or drink it cold. The fully metal mug I have doesn''t fit into a cup holder, it''s got a wide bottom. I was looking for this shape and the qualities of the steal mug.

After several months of trying to use this mug I finally threw it out. I was drinking hot tea and the plastic smell and taste was so strong it scared me, so out it went. I''m sticking to stainless in and out.

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The pros are : It''s stainless, Kept a coffee hot long enough for me, Size was perfect for me.

The cons : Price ( saw a two pack (after I ordered from here)at *al-*art for $7.98 in auto section,) The Lid is NOT a spill proof locking lid top (my office requires mugs to be), The top is not a screw on lid, its a push in and pull out takes quite a bit of hand stength.

Wish I had known before ordering it didn''t have a spill proof lockable lid top.

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I wanted a large insulated cup and this product appears to fill that need. The lid does not stay on. From the time the cup arrived it was loose fitting. Today I knocked it over. The lid came off, the coffee ran across the table and then down to an expensive rug. I used words I rarely use since leaving the army. This thing may a quick trip to the trash where it belongs. It is not dishwasher safe and is difficult to clean.

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The mug itself is very sturdy like all the other Copco mugs I''ve owned. The only complaint I have (and the reason why I can''t make it my hoped-for travel mug) is that the lid has no closing mechanism. With only one smallish photo to judge from, I took a calculated risk when purchasing, but will have to settle on this being my ''at home'' mug. I would recommend that the seller add a second photo from an overhead angle to clarify for folks like myself. After some more trial and error, I found a far superior Copco model, which you can see here:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002G9SXHK/?tag=scifincom-20

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Aqua Mix Stone Enhancer Save 4% Off

My contractor uses this on every slate floor job he does. It does enhance (darken) the colors of the stone as well as seal. Once dry, it isn''t shinythe rocks still look dry. They just have that deep color you''d see if they were wet. I had accidentally bought a different product (that turned out to be just a sealer) to finish another stone floor that I had done myself. There was a big difference. The rocks with the plain sealer were a lot lighter and more dull. Thank goodness I could get that other sealer off by using acetone so that I could still use this enhancer on that floor.

I built an outdoor kitchen and used natural thin veneer stone (excellent stuff from Beuchel Stone btw) to cover the base. The stone looked nice, but lacked depth of color. I didn''t want a "wet" look either, just for the stone to look the way it did when it got wet. This product is perfect. I had about 100 sq ft to cover, and the quart was just about right. Applied easily with a paintbrush, and a towel to dab at the foamy parts. Easy to see where it''s been applied as you do it, and looks perfect in a day or so.

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I used the Aqua Mix stone enhancer on a new travertine back splash. I first applied it to a few test tiles, and while it had some effect I was somewhat disappointed. While pondering these results I noticed how much stone dust remained on the tiles from being processed. After thoroughly cleaning a few more test tiles and applying I was very pleased with the results.

To clean the entire back splash I scrubbed it down with a wet scotchbrite pad, then wiped it down with a CLEAN grout sponge. By clean, I mean I would only wipe a very small area before rinsing the sponge. The scotchbrite also did a great job of cleaning up any excess grout I had left behind. Unless you don''t want the colors to come out at all, I think you would really have to do this with just about any natural stone.

While applying I was a little concerned about some grout joints. I kept seeing hairline cracks in the grout where the sealer was penetrating quickly. In other areas the sealer did not seem to be penetrating the grout evenly even where there were no cracks. However, several hours later, everything was nice and even with no issues.

Actual application of the product was easy and I would say it could be applied with just about anything (brush, sponge, high-nap roller, etc.). It is a little on the thick side so applying on a vertical surface isn''t impossible but not too thick. I used about 1/3 of the quart to cover about 35 square feet of 1in X 2in travertine with a 1/2in X 1/2in accent in it, but applied it quite liberally and had a fair amount that had dripped down to my granite counter, where I just wiped it in to the counter.

The final result was essentially all the colors that showed through wile it was wet, but without the glossy finish.

In summary:

It''s extremely important to make sure the tiles are clean and have any stone dust removed prior to application.

The penetration of the sealer will even out over several hours.

Ultimately, this product is only going to reveal the colors present in the stone. Wet your tiles well and that is the color you will end up with, but with a matte finish.

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I purchased this stone enhancer for some interior ledge stone I had installed in my living room. After reading the reviews, I thought I should spend the money to get the best quality item. A few days before I applied the enhancer, I cleaned all of the stones with soapy water (dawn dishwashing soap) and microfiber cloths. This really improved the look of the stones. (After installation, they looked chalky and bland.) Days later, I applied the enhancer to a portion of my wall. When first applied, the stone looked wet and dark and I was scared I had made a mistake because they were so dark. The next day I couldnt tell any difference between the stones I had covered and the ones I had not. The liquid is much like a runny Vasoline. I wish I had not spent the money.

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I have a sandstone waterfall in my house entrance and after 10 years was beginning to look crappy. I had it cleaned with acid and other cleaners but the stone was still dull. A tile installer recommended stone enhancer so I tried this via Amazon. It came into 2 days. I brushed it on with a paint brush, added a second coat and voila a newly restorred waterfall. Everyone comments how nice the stone looks.

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Crane Adorable 1 Gallon Cool Mist Humidifier Save 17% Off

A great little humidifier. Well worth the money for its functionality...the cute appearance is a bonus. It is not loud at all and really cranks out serious humidity.

I got the penguin humidifier a week ago after researching multiple brands, some expensive ones, filter ones, big ones, warm ones, etc. And I read the reviews about it leaking or breaking on this one, and essentially there was some complaint on just about every brand out there--always a few problems. So for the $30 this one cost (and the fact that it is ridiculously adorable!) it seemed to cover what I needed: something that was not expensive, not too large and bulky, smaller reservoir so more fresh water going through it (and less water sitting around getting ookey) and would add humidity where ever it was.

It has been running almost non-stop for a week, minus filling times or when we were out, and has worked perfectly. The body reservoir, even when running on high, has lasted at least 16 hours. I haven''t had problems with white dust on everything like my old-fashioned gigantic noisy one (I use tap water), and it doesn''t spray water drops out with the mist either. It definitely made a difference running at night in the bedroom--no noses and throats feeling ''dry as dust'' in the AM. The penguin has a small footprint, about 9" diameter and 12.75" tall. It runs almost silently BUT it does make a trickling noise and actually sounds like our tabletop fountain. It''s a nice sound during the day but wore on me during the night; I wasn''t used the sound and I kept thinking it''s leaking when it wasn''t. So now I run it for a while before bed and I sleep much better all around.

Things to watch out for though... the reservoir opening where you fill it, there is a screw-on cap with a spring-valve (like what''s at the bottom of your coffee maker basket). There should be a silicone O-ring that fits in the top of the cap. Our O-ring was inside the opening, and since it was clear-ish could be easily missed. The O-ring could cause the cap to leak if not seated properly and the cap needs to be tightened snuggly. When filled and righted (there''s even a little handle to carry it by) it should only drip slightly out of the spring-valve. Check that nothing is clogging the spring-valve by pressing it in (before filling) and that the flap is not folded. Only use COLD water in the reservoir, and if you boiled water WAIT for it to be room temp before using. Using hot water could definitely cause this plastic to crackle and crack. The body must sit squarely on the ''butt'' or it can dribble over the side a tiny bit.

We have had absolutely no problems with this little cutie, and if I do I''ll update my posting. It has a nice rocker on-off switch on his ''left butt cheek''. It has a dial on the front (I''ll call it his bellybutton) to adjust the amount of mist; even on high he doesn''t drip. The mist dial doesn''t seem to affect the fountain noise at all; i.e. the lesser misting does not lessen any gurgling it does. A great little design and it does the job!

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This frog humidifier is wonderful. I''m so glad I finally decided to get one after reading reviews on it since last winter. Unlike this picture, the actual product is a true Granny Smith apple green, or some might call it lime green.

PROS

-quiet

-no expensive filter required. (my Holmes humidifier requires a new $13 filter about every 6 weeks)

-shuts off automatically when it runs out of water

-easy to refil water

-simple and easy to use

-cute!

CONS

-tiny green light is on when humidifier is in use and I persoanlly like a very dark bedroom at night. I just tape a dark piece of paper over it and problem solved. But it can also be a night light for a child''s room.

-must be on a nightstand or some sort of elevated surface. Some people might not have that room to spare.

-it may be TOO cute and irresitible for little ones to keep their hands off it at first. But the newness wears off.

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I purchased a Hello Kitty humidifier for my daughter on October 28th. It''s been run and well-maintained in a the few weeks we''ve had it. Unfortunately, tonight the motor caught on fire. Thankfully, the smoke alarms alerted us and the fire department before a tragedy happened my seven year old was asleep in the room. I will be alerting the manufacturer and amazon of the safety concerns, but in the meantime, you might want to skip this purchase until it''s deemed safe. I will not forget the haze in my daughter''s room when the door was opened tonight for a long time.

The fire department confirmed that the problem was with the humidifier, although it was being used correctly. Hopefully this was an isolated incident, but please be wary of this product.

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After my steam humidifier got REALLY hot & seemed to be dangerous, I decided to shop for a cool humidifier for my kids. The doctor recommended that I switch anyways, she says the cool ones are more effective for colds, the hot ones work better for asthma...

So, upon falling in love with this penguin, I ordered one. It arrived looking adorable & then I plugged it in nothing no light no steam...ok, that one definately didn''t work so I sent it back. Amazon was great & sent me a replacement immediately. Got that one today, it WORKS wonderfully BUT it has a crack in the base hubby said to send it back because it might leak into the wiring. So, I proceeded to get the return label, etc & Amazon said they won''t send me another because the problem with the item is more widespread than originally thought. I am downright depressed so my husband said he could seal the crack with silicon & we should just keep it instead of sending it back.

It does make the most wonderful ''steam'', so light & airy like a cloud it feels good to breathe the mist & I know it will be very helpful when the kids are sick!

I hope you have better luck than I, it would be worth a return or two to get one!

I would give the working humidifier 5 stars but with all the problems, I comprimised at a 3

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DuPont In-Line Shower Filtration Carbon Filter SSC0501

• Designed for easy replacement in the SS1050CH Filtration System
• Lasts up to 6 months

I love this product ever since I started using i have noticed noticeable differences in my skin and hair. The great part is it extends the length of my hair colorso I don''t have to go back to the salon as often. Great product!!

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If it can filter my water, it can filter anyones. I have downright muddy well water. Not the nicest shower.

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Omica Shower Filter

I spoke with the salesman re this product and he said that the filter would take out aluminum which is a common deadly metal in all water systems. I decided to purchase two shower filters and then had the water tested. There were 23.3 ug/L of aluminum in the water! For someone with an extreme sensitivity to aluminum, this is very bad news.

Additionally, the filters continually spew out black residue even though they advertise that this will stop after running the water initially. And lastly, my skin is very dry after a shower.

I believe that if you want a filter that effectively removes heavy metals, this isn''t the one. I''m not going to test for the other chemicals they supposedly remove, but you might want to do that if you decide to purchase one of their filters.

I absolutely love my Omica Shower Filter. The product description was very informative and the ordering process was a breeze. The filter arrived on time and was in pristine condition. Installation was a snap and took less than 5 minutes The flow rate is incredible. I have used shower filters in the past, but none of them dealt with the fluoride issue, and that concerned me. I searched for a long time but most fluoride systems were whole house systems. The design is excellent and provides sufficient headroom in the shower. Without a doubt this was one of the best purchases I''ve made EVER.

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I live in the city and I was getting rust and copper build-up in my hair. I tried other filters to treat the problem. I had to even just use bottled water to wash my hair for a few weeks, but that''s no way to live. And finally I found the Ormica shower filter. It prevented this from happening again. A shower is not the same unless you have this Ormica shower filter. It''s worth every penny!

March 2013: Someone asked me if this was KDF. I didn''t know. But I found out that it is. Read the link I posted below.

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My wife has been asking for this for over a year and I finally got it not thinking it would make that much of a difference. Holy cow was I wrong! I highly recommend this shower filter as it gets out more toxins and chemicals than your average filter. We will be using this in every bathroom!

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I live in Los Angeles and the water is terrible. After a few weeks of using the Omica filter, my skin and hair is softer than ever and I don''t smell any traces of chlorine. I did a lot of research and this is the only filter I found to remove fluoride and chlorine. My only complaint is that the filter housing itself doesn''t seem strong enough to install with a heavy, large shower head. as the shower head weight can cause the filter to bend. BUT STILL AMAZING RESULTS!

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Mr. Coffee BVMC-PSTX91 Optimal Brew 10-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker Save 11% Off

Ok so i read all the negative and positive reviews trying to figure out what was the deal with this coffee maker. Here is the thing i have found, people who really hate this coffee maker just don''t understand what it is or how to use it right. This is a fine buy, perhaps the only buy if you want a Thermal Coffee maker that really works.

ok so first we need to understand this is a THERMAL coffee maker. Why does that matter?

1) You won''t burn down you house because you forgot to turn it off.

2) you will never have burnt thick muddy coffee.

3) it saves a ton of money on energy.

4) you can take your coffee pot with you to your table, desk, or backyard, and it will stay hot right beside you just as if it was still being heated.

It is key to understand that the whole point of this coffee maker is that it is thermal which means when it is made it is dumped into a coffee pot that is really a big thermos and that is how it stays hot. This means it stays hot really long without heating, burning, and thickening. It also means your first cup of coffee will be blistering hot and each on after a little less. But big deal, i made a pot of coffee this morning when i got up at 7am it is now 12:39pm and i am drinking my last cup and it is still hot (just not blistering hot).

Common Complaints:

Does it leak? Sure it does when you don''t follow directions, or clean it right. Is it poorly designed? Well there are things i would have done different but that is the case about anything. It works and works very well. It brews incredibly fast (a full pot in 5 minutes or under) and it brews blistering hot (the first cup is too hot for me often). Does it pour slowly? Well duh? of course it does, it is in an air tight thermos that is designed not to let cold air is to cool your coffee pot! Hello? What don''t people get about that? Ironically, the same people who complain about temperature are the same people who say it pours to slowly. Sigh. Hey i don''t care how big your mug is we are still talking seconds or pouring time not minutes, you won''t die waiting, and your coffee will not be burnt or cold!

Real issues:

It is true the fist 5 to 6 pots of coffee have a weird taste. There are a couple reasons for that and ways to fix it. One the pot needs to be washed after manufacturing. I advise you to save yourself the stress and go ahead and run 5-7 cycles of plain water though it before you brew coffee to make sure there is no strange first brew taste. And other reason the taste and even coffee strength can be off is it filters your water. And the filter indeed leaves a slight taste, and slows down the brew (thus the strength). If your not use to filtered water you will taste it more. I recommend you presoak your filter, to get the filter taste out (yes that will slightly decrease the strength of the filter but give you a better coffee). Or if you already use filtered water (as i do) or just don''t care if it is filtered, just pull the filter out, you will get a better cup of coffee. While i i have experimented i am still using mine with the presoak. it is more of a personal issue.

Also to prevent leaking wash with water and a mild dish soap and don''t be overly rough with filling tank.

Lastly, i have done the research this is the best and only real choice for a thermal home coffee machine without getting into huge dollars. There are others, but they perform worse. This is a good coffee machine, you just have to understand it is not an old burner system (which for some of us is a good thing). It is cutting edge in this price range, but you need to sync with it and seek to learn what gets you the best coffee from it.

Buy. Enjoy. Have fun.

Mr. Coffee has really outdone themselves with the new improvements and designs to their latest Optimal Brew 10-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker. When choosing a great machine, I always research and compare with all my friends. When comparing machines, 5 brands stood out with many of the best features you would expect from a coffeemaker, including most importantly, a great cup of coffee. The top 5 best thermal coffeemakers that we found were Mr. Coffee, Bunn, Cuisinart, Capresso and Zojirushi. Zojirushi was eliminated due to terrible company support. For the machines themselves, Capresso seemed to have designs that were not as easy or convenient to use. This leaves the top 3Mr. Coffee, Bunn and Cuisinart. All three are great designs, all 3 make a great cup of coffee and all 3 have great company support. All 3 also have what every Thermal Coffeemaker hasLeak and Weak. The thermal carafe''s develop leaks around the seals and the coffee is more weak than most people would like.

These are two issues that are easily remedied by a couple simple steps. First, to eliminate the leak around the carafe sealhand wash the carafe only with Dawn dishwashing liquid. The seal gets worn from the acidic oils in the coffeeDawn removes the acidic oils keeping the seal perfect with no more leaks. This really does work to stop those carafe seal leaks! The other big complaint is weak coffee, and it is a complaint with ALL the thermal coffeemakers we tried! We only use a medium grind coffee for drip automatic coffeemakersexactly what they tell you to use. The directions tell you to use more coffee if it is too weak. This does help, but there are two other solutions that actually do work better. Using a permanent gold re-useable basket filter instead of a paper filter leaves more sediment go through to your cup, with a stronger flavor. But, the best solution was using a much darker roast coffee which really added strength to the flavor! These solutions actually do work for those that like a strong cup of coffee!

I prefer a thermal coffeemaker over all the others for several reasons. It''s FAST (10 cups in about 8 minutes), it''s an ENERGY SAVER (No hot plate using electricity, as the carafe keeps the coffee hot and drinkable for over 3 hourseven longer when you pre-heat the carafe with hot water), No more burnt, bitter taste (only smooth and delicious)and the coffee never loses it''s flavor in the carafe that can sit anywhere you are (great portability).

Getting down to the last 3 thermal coffemakers that we found to be really great, was easy for me to choose the best one. As far as looks go, this Mr. Coffee won hands down. Beautiful, sleek, black and sturdy stainless steelit really is gorgeous! It has a programmable clock/timer for wake up coffee! (I love this feature!)It has a brew pause function, meaning I can grab a cup while it''s still brewing. It has an audible ready signal. The cord storage is convenient and nice, as is the water filtration which removes 97 percent of the chlorine for a really smooth taste! It has a special cleaning cycle, auto shut off and a sleep mode. My favorite features are the separate water reservoir and the side loading filter basket! These new designs make all the difference in the ease of use! I will never use a coffeemaker without a separate water reservoir ever again, it is so wonderful! The stainless steel insulated thermal carafe has a stay cool handle and drip free spout.

This Mr. Coffee thermal coffeemaker won hands down as THE BEST one for me! The one year warranty and great company support influenced me as well. As for the coffeethey are all pretty close in taste and all being weaker than some people would like, but with the few adjustments I mentioned, Mr. Coffee was definitely my favorite cup, using a little darker roast for a delicious strong cup!

Buy Mr. Coffee BVMC-PSTX91 Optimal Brew 10-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker Now

INITIAL REVIEW:

First: I give this four stars as the fifth will be earned if it holds up for awhile (will follow up this post when it''s time)so many items these days seem to crap out after only a few months (my water heater''s still kicking and it''s 43 years old!).

Second: We were beholden to Krups and replaced our old manual (no timer) unit w/ a Krups FMF5-14. Had it four months and the first time it was subjected to a spill, it fried the electronics (placed at the base of the unit). Replaced with Mr. Coffee BVMC-PSTX91 a month ago and we''ve been impressed.

Third: Pros-Coffee comes out at approx. 185 degrees, brews very fast, carafe is well insulated and simple to use, electronics placed on top, simple programming features, self-cleaning program, cord storage & good looks for stainless folks. Cons (not many)-the carafe needs to be cleaned with a bottle brush due to small opening (no biggie), the water reservoir lid is a little sticky sometimes, the coffee receptacle needs a little extra rogering due to the extra filter lid (which can be removed if you want) and if you don''t use filtered water to start with, you''ll need to replace filters into said lid periodically. Pretty minor stuff.

Fourth: I am confident that this will be a five star general and look forward to following up this post.

PS: who knew that buying a decent coffee maker could be such a chore! This is my first item review, ever felt it was time to pay back all those who''ve I''ve benefitted from all these years. Enjoy!

UPDATE: It''s been two months and to our disappointment, this product has not performed at a five-star level due to two problems: the carafe leaks internally and then when pouring, ''fermented'' coffee comes out via the seam between the black plastic collar and lower stainless portion. We initially thought we were pouring too fast, but close inspection revealed the problem. The carafe was never put in the dishwasher and had normal, daily use for two months. Second, the water reservoir has a small plastic tab on top of it that holds it in the machine. When carefully closing the sometimes-sticky lid (previously mentioned), it came down too fast for this tab and snapped it off. The water reservoir still works, but we propped it against the wall to ensure it didn''t fall off the machine.

When informed of these issues, Mr. Coffee offered to send a brand new unit out at no cost, but they were out of stock. They sent instead a holdover machine that''s ours to keep and instructed us to call them again in 3 weeks to see if the unit''s back in stock. Why they are unable to simply automatically send one when it becomes available is unknown, but they are attempting to make it right, which is welcome. I can only hope the new machine is free of these problems, if and when it arrives. For now, no five-star review from this consumer. What a shame.

UPDATE:

Well, Mr. Coffee eventually sent me a replacement unit (after I waited 5 weeks and had to call them to get it sent). This replacement lasted about four days and then would use 1/2 the water in the reservoir for coffee, dumping the remaining 1/2 all over the counter. I gave up. What a disappointment. I took Mr. Coffee out of the loop and was able to return the unit to a local retailer for store credit. Lastly, I have to agree with others who have said the coffee is watery. It''s like that because of the maker''s advertised brewing speed. Coffee can''t steep properly, even when using 3 filters. We''ve resurrected an old, trusty Krups and the search continues.

UPDATE: After some time, I went ahead with the Cuisinart DCC-1150BK and have been pretty happy with it. Some say that it dribbles when pouring but I''ve found that this occurs only when you attempt to pour faster than what the spout can handle, which is admittedly not super fast coffee then comes out the center spot where it enters from the machine. Doesn''t brew as fast as the Mr. Coffee, but it does taste better more than a fair trade-off. Coffee is easily hot enough for us. Came w/ a gold metal filter so we''re saving on paper filters. No separate water reservoir (another plus). Simple electronics mounted above the action so any spillage is no factor. Only down side to date is the machine''s bottom plate seems to be losing some paint after only two months one would think that manufacturers would have access to moisture/heat resistant paint. All-in-all the DCC-1150BK has been much kinder to us than the Mr. Coffee was.

Read Best Reviews of Mr. Coffee BVMC-PSTX91 Optimal Brew 10-Cup Thermal Coffeemaker Here

I bought this coffee maker as a gift for Christmas--before I read the reviews. Once I read them, Mr. Coffee already wrapped in silver gift paper, I considered taking it back. I didn''t. I kept it, and it was definitely the right decision.

Mr. Coffee was unwrapped on Christmas Eve so that the coffee could be timed and ready for Christmas Morning. I noted to the gift recipient that this gift might suck. I also noted that all the reviews were split fifty-fifty between "best thing ever" and "worthless crap I shouldn''t have bothered with." My gift of Mr. Coffee-brewed morning coffee was an accompaniment to a new newspaper subscription, so I knew, at least, that if I was cleaning an inaugural coffee flood Christmas Morning, the gift recipient was entertained with news for long enough that I could whip out the French Press and present the "old way" coffee with my announcement that Mr. Coffee did indeed suck, just like half of the reviews stated.

It''s been five days of use now, and here''s the deal. I suspected that user error was responsible for most of the "this is crap!" responses. And I think my experience can confirm that. Here are the key things that you are probably concerned with based on other feedback:

1. Will it explode and flood my counter, floor, rug, basement, or face? NO. There are three things that will cause a flood. One is not seating the water container correctly. Just like a humidifier, the water tank has to sit in the reservoir so that it makes a seal. If you put the tank in crooked, it doesn''t seat properly. Then you get flood. If you put it straight in, no problem. Perfectly sealed water reservoir. The second is not emptying the carafe. If you poured new coffee into a full coffee mug, you''d get a flood. Same idea. Pretty simple. The third, which seems to be the most frustrating is the cracked carafe. Remember, this holds coffee at NEARLY BOILING for multiple hours in a vacuum. The inside of this thing is hot. And when you add a shift in temperature, even though it''s metal, it still reacts. Since it''s a manufactured component piece, temperature shock will stress the joints. I would guess that anyone who has rinsed the carafe before letting it completely cool might run into this problem. Not stressing the carafe out has kept mine working tip top.

2. Will my coffee be weak and lukewarm? NO. I have no thoughts on this except it''s just not true. Somehow, perhaps it''s the pressure, it seems to brew stronger with less. And the temperature, while I haven''t taken a thermometer to it, is hot enough that adding cold milk doesn''t make any less of hot beverage. Additionally, I''m not joking when I say that the thermal vacuum-sealed carafe keeps the coffee hotter than hot for over two hours. The machine recipient is the slow kind of coffee drinker. One that typically has a cold half-cup after some leisurely sipping. Not having to brew more coffee to keep it fresh and warm over the course of the day, or reheat in the microwave is really a treat. We went out and shoveled the cars and sidewalk the other day while the coffee sat snug in its carafe. Just like a fresh pot--hot and tasty, HOURS later.

3. Does it take eighty hours to pour a cup? NO. It''s a slow pour. THE CARAFE IS VACUUM SEALED! It would defeat its heat-keeping magic if the top just opened up and poured like a milk carton. The top to the carafe is two inches thick to make sure that it stays sealed. Patience. The slow pour is there for a reason! The ONLY little thing about this: there may still be some left when you get to the bottom. But surprise! Open the top! It''s just as hot and delicious as the rest!

Basically, treat this machine as the sophisticated multi-part machine that it is, and it will do just fine. It''s not the slam-the-carafe-into-the-hot-plate, don''t-worry-about-the-dripping-it-doesn''t-stain, type of machine. The water has its own tank. The filter purifies the water in a separate addition to the filter basket. The brewing mechanism makes a seal above the carafe, and the carafe stays sealed with perfectly hot coffee far longer than any other drinking container I''ve seen.

So, do reconsider the major complaints posted in these reviews. If you need to keep coffee hot a long time, this is certainly the way to go. Oh yeah, and the timer works just fine. Additionally, I''ve always wondered who writes these things when they''re lengthy. I''ve never had a product go so wrong that I wanted to save everyone else from repeating my frustration. But now I''ve written one, and for this one, I know, I was prepared to have bought something crappy because I didn''t do my research. But then realized that a little time with the directions, and a little respect for what I had purchased and everything would be just fine. Unless I come back and amend this in a few days when I''ve thrown it out the window and put my name in the "Yes, it IS crap!" category, I would recommend this machine highly if it has the qualities that you''re looking for. Don''t go hating on the Mr. Coffee BVMC-PSTX91. Just understand it. And then enjoy the coffee you can brew together.

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Okay, I really wanted to like this coffee maker. I just couldn''t get a great cup of coffee out of it. Sure, I could get a decent cup, but that is not what I am looking for. Believe me, I am not new to coffee. I tried all the ratios and I was not impressed enough to keep it. Besides not making a great cup of coffee here are a few other things that bothered me: first it seems neat to be able to life off the the water tank and fill it, but the lid is annoying. It will only open to one side which blocks the water marks passed 6. The coffee filter drawer is also annoying. You have to have room next to it in order to remove it. So next to a cabinet is out. I have it next to my blender and have to move the blender carafe off the motor base in order to access the coffee filter. The other reviewers who mentioned the thermal carafe being slow to pour were not kidding. It is really slow. It does keep it hot. The two reasons (other than the positive reviews here) for buying this were: it brews at the right temperature (195-205) and it was on sale $69 at target. It does make hot coffee, that is for sure. If it put out a great cup, I could look pass all those negatives. Like I said, I really wanted to keep this, but I can''t do it and had to returned it. Life is just too short for good coffee, knowing there is great coffee somewhere else. I ended up with a BUNN NHBX-B, I actually wanted this to begin with. That is in another review.

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4 Gallon Water Cooler Filter Purifier Save 63% Off

• For use on dispenser/water cooler.Transforms ordinary tap water into clean, healthy, mineralized alkaline drinking water - Save $$$ -
• 1 System; 5 Functions:Filters, Purifies, Mineralizes, Alkalinizes, Preserves
• Multi-stage filtration removes bacteria, harmful contaminants, chlorine, chemicals and other impurities
• Adds essential minerals and bio-energy properties to boost overall health and vitality
• BPA-Free.No electricity or plumbing required.Easy assembly.Convenient, versatile & affordable

We ordered this product through Amazon. Since this is product review I will not talk to issues which all related to Fed Ex delivery. All I will say is be sure that Tuesday through Saturday are good delivery days for you.

The unit works wonderfully. The instructions are not very clear, even pictures are a little confusing. But by process of elimination we assembled unit. The instructions also contain a section on things to do before using. Do follow these as they are significant. The filter needs to have water run through it as suggested. We dried on paper towel and had much grit. Including the times to do this it took nearly one hour to put together.

They recommend running 2 full sets of water through before using. Do not panic. The first 4 gallons must have taken 4 hours to run through filter. The second was quicker, about 2 hours. But when we awoke in morning the filtration was quicker. The water is crystal clear. Some reviews say taste sweet, all I know is tastes as good as any bottled water. We rarely bought anyway.

Our problem actually with unit are to our uses of the unit. The spout is designed to fill glasses. We use to get water for dog, make tea, make coffee, and cook with this water. The spout is really not good for this use. It is very slow. I wish we had two spouts to pick from.

The second issue was size for use in apartment. Its height will interfere with most kitchen cabinets if not open area. It is 23 inches top to bottom. This only requires planning in its location.

We looked at other units as Cuisinart and Brita. The cost and frequency of consumables alone with either unit was discouraging. The Cuisinart required electricity which also discouraged us.

Even with above issues this is excellent value for the money. It works fine and now if we regularly refill provides clear water we need. We can only recommend unit reason for the 5 star rating. This is said with only 6 days of use so may change. I might want to modify as 6 months but can not do so. Yet with no mechanical parts it should work fine until need new filters.

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This is a cool filter. I found it easy to set up. I gave it a cleaning and got the filter all ready in no time. It works as said and the thing is nice to have. I was paying close to $30.00 a month for bottles water home delivery. three bottles at a time.

With this unit it pays for it self the first use. It comes with the filter that last about 6 months and coast about $14.95 to replace. So in no time I will save money have clean water and not have to pick up a heavy bottle aging.

Now people might wonder is it hard to put it together. No not at all. You remove the parts two filters one long type other round. You screw the float thing to the bottom tank. Put ring on top of bottom tank. Screw round filter inside top tank. Then screw long filter under the top of the top tank. Set top thank on the middle ring. Then fill the top unit with clean water let it do its thing and you have drinking water.

Also remove the bottle support from your water cooler.

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I read all the popular ratings, followed all of the good advice given therein and wound up with an unbearably frustrating situation. Yes, I found it easy to assemble. BUT it does not fit on the water dispensers. The diameter of the outlet does not fit Brita, Haier,or the recommended Clover dispenser.The company knows this and advises you remove the baffle and/or bottle holder ring from the dispenser. That endeavor leaves the bottle hanging in space over an empty hole in your dispenser.

Forewarned about the slow filtration I diligently scrubbed the dome then found that the bottom chamber fills adequately, leaving an empty upper chamber, overflowing bottom chamber. Then the top of the dome dries out and the base accumulates a disgusting orange brown sludge! Through all the years of carbon filtered dispensers, never had I seen such an occurrence.

So now I''ve spent a small fortune on the purifier/mineralizer ( plus replacement dome and column) and a fancy new hot/cold dispenser neither of which function. The whole purpose was to avoid replacing heavy bottles of purchased water. I expected to enjoy the sweet, mineral water the reviewers spoke of and couldn''t.

I also found that since I bought the bottle, I will have to purchase the whole thing again to get the table top dispenser. What else can one do with the extra filter components purchased, optimistically assured by the other reviews of this item. This disaster reminds me that for a long time buyers have been convinced that the positive reviews are written by those with a vested interest in the sale of this substandard product.

Please don''t spend your hard earned money on this item.

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WE WERE SPENDING $55 PER MONTH ON BOTTLED WATER. THIS PURIFIER HAS BEEN GREAT. JUST POUR THE WATER IN AND IT FILTERS THROUGH! THE ONLY THING IS THAT THE TOP OF THE PUFIFIER ITSELF DOESN''T LOCK. SO, WE HAVE IT AT OUR OFFICE AND ARE ALWAYS A LITTLE AFRAID THAT SOMEONE MAY FILL THE WATER AND NOT HAVE CLEAN HANDS, ETC...

BUT, THEN AGAIN, IT GETS FILTERED THROUGH. GREAT PRODUCT!

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We''ve had this filtration system for two months and are very excited about it.

Here''s what we like about it:

1. Water tastes great no more chlorine/fishy smell or off taste; in fact it has a "sweet" taste (not like candy sweet just clean sweet, it''s hard to explain but it doesn''t have that harsh metallic flavor or bite to the tounge that over filtered water tends to have)

2. It is super convenient just fill the top container up with your own tap water when the water level is running low

3. It saves money and your back...don''t have to haul or lift anymore heavy water jugs

4. It looks cool...very shallow but it''s our opinion

Costs to maintain:

Replace every 6 months: multistage filter cartridge (currently from Amazon for $21.85)

Replace yearly: Micro-Ceramic Filter Dome (currently from Amazon for $18.40)

Replace every 3-5 years: Mineral Stones (currently from Amazon for $19.44)

Initial set up and usage:

1. It''s easy to assemble, make sure you follow the directions faithfully though

2. During our initial set up we emptied the mineral rocks into a colander and rinsed them for about 15 minutes as suggested by another reviewer, this really helped eliminate the dust and tiny rock fragments

3. Know that this unit ISN''T going to "click" into or sit down in the opening of your dispenser, it simply rests on the opening so it''s important to make sure you have your dispenser set up out of the way where it won''t get bumped...we have ours sitting in a corner where it''s protected a bit more on either side. Also, it''s super important that your dispenser is level and that the water container is level before you fill it up. Honestly we haven''t had any problems with it but if you have children/dogs running around it might be a concern

4. Yes, like some have stated in other reviews of this product the initial filtration goes slowly so be prepared for that ahead of time...however, it will pick up speed the more you use it without compromising the quality of the water

5. DO pay attention to the water level of the bottom container...fill up the top portion only enough to fill the bottom or you may cause it to overflow

Monthly cleaning:

DO clean all the parts on a MONTHLY basis no matter how much or how little you use it as slime can occur from having water in a container for a lengthy amount of time. As far as the ceramic filter dome is concerned, it is hollow, that''s what is required for it to filter the water, and as it collects the impurities from your tap water over time it will turn brown/orange. It all depends on how bad the tap water is and how long you wait in-between cleanings. All you have to do is gently scrub the ceramic filter dome under cool running water and it will turn white again. We use a scrub pad for non-stick pots and pans and it does the trick without removing too much of the ceramic. CAUTION when cleaning the ceramic filter dome DON''T use the same pad that you use to clean your dishes with as the food particles will collect on the dome and turn your "filtered water" into a nasty science experiment...YUCK!

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20" 2 Stage Big Blue Whole House Complete Water Filter System Save 24% Off

• Simple in/out connection instructions allow for most homeowners to install themselves
• Ball valve and pressure release allows for simpler filter changes with less mess
• Sediment filter removes sediment & particulates, providing cleaner, clearer water
• Carbon filter removes odors, tastes, and chemicals, including chlorine, herbicides, and pesticides
• Designed for 2-4 bathrooms homes with 3-6 people

Excellent product, excellent service, would recommend this product to any one looking to buy whole house filters, service after contacting them also good

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Brita Magnum Pitcher

This is the largest Brita pitcher I could find 50% larger than the original pitcher (3 qts vs. 2 qts). We use a lot of filtered water, including cooking spaghetti, filling the room humidifier, etc., so the larger size is more convenient.

It does require removal of the whole lid to refill the "Deluxe" model is similar, but has a flip-top to refill more easily.

Be aware that when full, this model is heavier to handle, especially as it extends out due to its shape so it is a little more awkward than a gallon jug of milk even though it holds less.

Brita has good customer service over the phone, but the warranty for the pitcher is only 90 days. (Ours tend to get cracks in about 3-9 months.)

The water filtration is excellent, but you must remember to replace the filters at the proper interval (about monthly) to maintain the water quality. Some other models have built-in reminders we just replace it at the beginning of each month.

Note that Brita does NOT soften water or take out sodium it does take out Lead, Mercury, and other metals and contaminants. It also improves the taste.

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PUR CT5000 Water Filter System

We have had this product for a couple of years. We use in our bathroom so we don''t have to have bottled water there. We need a new filter, but now I find you have discontinued the item. It is a shame such a good product has been discontinued. Are replacement filters still available?

This product is far superior to the on-the-faucet type filters. We have broken three of those filters because the water pressure eventually cracks the housing. We have had this filter for two or three years now and have had no problems. The water tastes great and it takes up very little counter space. The filters are not cheap, but they last longer than the afore-mentioned faucet types.

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I''ve had the CT5000 for 10 years on my countertop. Used daily for coffee & drinking water it''s been fantastic.

When the filter gets near the end of it''s life the water flows out rather slowly, but still nice & pure!

I''ve found the filters last MUCH longer than the recommended 4 to 6 months. There is a little indicator that turns red when the filter is pooping out.

Read Best Reviews of PUR CT5000 Water Filter System Here

This product is outstanding. I have used it for 5 years, but the filters are now very very hard to find, yet you can still buy the system. I am currently searching for replacement filters and have ordered just to have them cancelled due to unavailability.

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This is a great little water filter for the money. I am not sure how much stuff it filters but the water tastes great and the replacements are around $25. It is getting hard to find the replacements so beware. It is very easy to install and maintain, and I have had no leakage issues, and I have been using them for a few years.

I just bought a sears dual filter unit because of its consumer reports rating but the installation is beginning to look like a hassle.

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AllerAir 5000 Exec HEPA Air Purifier Save 10% Off

There are good general purpose filters out there that are much less expensive and will give you clean air, but that''s not really what this is for.

I moved into a new place a while back, and the previous owner had a dog, a fireplace, smoked in the house, and had new carpet in 1 room, and old WOW-musty carpet in another.

He also apparently didn''t like to take out the garbage, because the whole place smelled like month old cooking trash.

I vacuumed, steam cleaned, painted, scrubbed, vacuumed some more, but the odors always came back. It was also ant infested, and I needed to fume the place more than once.

I keep reptile pets, so it''s a HUGE inconvenience to fume the place, as they all have to get moved out to fume.

Also, there was a major water leak, and whenever you ran the A/C, it was obvious there was mold in the vents.

It took a long time, but I''m running this on low speed 24/7 in my living room, and it keeps the place liveable while I slowly got the smells under control with cleaning. It does wonders on cooking odors, pet odors, staleness, mustyness, "wet dog" and some things that HEPA filters won''t touch, like living next to the wastewater treatment plant.

Sounds lovely, doesn''t it?

It works, that''s all there is to it.

I don''t give things 5 stars unless they exceed any and all expectations.

This met my expectations. I also wish there was a ''kit'' to add powerful UV and photocatalytic elements to this unit, but I think it''s not an upgrade, just an option on a new unit.

This isn''t for active cigarette smoke, but to help old odors to go away.

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Crystal Quest Large Capacity Ultimate Pitcher

The filter does a great job of filtering out the impurities, and makes the water taste noticeably better, but the design of the pitcher itself could be much better. The pouring spout is very small, and the flip top sometimes comes loose when you''re pouring. Also, the shape of the pitcher itself makes it feel unwieldy and unbalanced when you''re pouring from a full pitcher.

The design of the Brita pitcher is much better--unfortunately, Brita filters do not filter out nearly as much stuff as Crystal Quest, which is why I chose to switch to Crystal Quest. If CQ would redesign their pitcher to be more "user friendly" it would be a terrific product.

I used this pitcher for about 6 weeks and it was 6 weeks too many. This pitcher is poorly designed. It is small, narrow and the capacity is not even close to the 10 cups they claim when the filter reservoir is present. The spout is too narrow so it pours slowly. Water glugs out and splashes all over if you tilt it too far. The lid must be held with your free hand when pouring or it will eject if any water is present in the reservoir. The handle is too narrow and is not comfortable to hold, especially when full.

Even worse than the design of the pitcher, the filters only lasted for a few weeks! I went through three filters in the six weeks I used this piece of junk! Yes, you read that right. The first day, your water will flow through quickly. The second day, it slows noticeably. By the fourth day, it starts to take a LONG time to pass the water through the filter. By the end of two weeks, it could no longer pass a full reservoir of water through the filter within 12 hours! Seriously!!! It would literally only pass about 3 drips of water per minute through the filter after only a few weeks. I can''t use that!!! Who can? It was insane! I am one person. I was not even close to using the filter''s claimed capacity of 2,000 gallons! I went through THREE filters!! I thought maybe the first one was defective, but after the same performance from all three, that was it. Completely unacceptable.

As if that wasn''t enough, another troubling issue is the fact that the filters are put together with some kind of glue or adhesive. Seems to me like a bad idea to expose the water I''m supposed to be drinking to a chemical adhesive instead of using plastic tabs to hold the filter cartridges together. What rocket scientist designed that?

I recommend that you stay away from this product. I was using Britta for many years before this, and I have now switched to Pur. The Pur filter pitcher is superior in every way to this (and the Britta I had), and I have not experienced any issues.

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The NSF doesn''t list Crystal Quest at all, and in CQ''s website, they misleadingly mention NSF, in that they only use NSF "certified PARTS", but their filtered water is *NOT* NSF certified.

I think this can explain the extremely poor customer service, and lack of any reputable merchants selling their items. The reason they are here in Amazon is that they have opened an account as a merchant here. It does not automatically get them Amazon''s repute to sell only viable products. I researched a whole day when their tall claims seemed too much to digest. All those giving positive reviews, did you just read the tall claims or have you actually tested the water ??

All in all, I think I will buy one of these units to give my humidifiers and steam irons and what nots cheaper filtered water than what I drink ;)

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The water filters easily and quickly and tastes great. I use it for drinking and cooking. Very slim and streamlined; may not be a large enough capacity for more than one person.

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This is my 3rd Crystal Quest pitcher in 10 years. (my old ones still worked, they just get a little worn looking after a couple of years of daily use...I passed them on.). I love this product. It filters more impurities than any other pitcher I''ve found on the market, the filters last 3 times as long and the price is right.

The Seller was super fast and I''m very satisfied with this purchase.

I got it today and am soaking the filter right now, getting ready to run my first pitcher of water. Yeaa...no more going out to fill up water jugs and hauling them home!

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Bissell 203-6617 ProHeat 2X Deep Cleaner Replacement Bottom Tank Assembly

I have been looking for a replacement tank for our carpet cleaner. The plastice clasp broke and I couldnot find anyone locally who might carry one. My wife said "try Amazon.com". I remember why I married her.

The tank fit perfect and was delivered within a few days.

Thanks!!!

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Insta Pure Replacement Filter

• Single filter
• Reduces chlorine, bad taste and odor
• 200 gallon filter life twice as long as most National brands
• Replacement filter for SKU # 43809 and 4218376
• English and Spanish instruction book also included

instapure faucet mounted filter is the best. I like how easy is the filter change and the great taste to my water instead of drab foul city filtration

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Armor All ARM 10710 1 Gallon Water-Based Original Protectant Bottle Save 50% Off

• Helps prevent cracking, fading, discoloration and premature aging
• Brings out a beautiful, deep shine with a non-greasy finish
• Safely cleans away dirt, dust and debris
• Renews and revitalizes vinyl, rubber and plastic

i have tried oily tire dressing products and hand applied with cloth tire dressing and also lots and lots of different spray brands of tire dressing products,,, and this is still the easiest, cleanest, and best,,, with Meguiar''s purple gel coming in very close, but must apply by hand.

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BISSELL Lift-Off Deep Cleaner Save 26% Off

We have pets and children, so we''ve had a few Bissell "Spot Bots" and carpet shampooers in the past. We''ve also had opportunity to rent machines from retail stores and have used professional carpet cleaning services a few times. The "Spot Bot" and Bissell Pro-Heat that we''ve used most extensively, worked well, but we looked forward to the opportunity to try this system because something that combined the portability of Spot Bot, with the power of the Pro-Heat seemed ideal.

Our expectations were pretty high for this machine, and we weren''t disappointed at all. Both as a portable machine and as a full blown carpet shampooer, it does an exceptional job. It cleans carpet and upholstery even better than the previous Bissell machines, and is easy to use. I really liked having the portable spot cleaner combined with the carpet cleaner both because of the space savings, but also because of simplicity. It is really nice to only have to keep one machine clean, which is sometimes a messy job depending on what you''ve been using it for.

I think that this is now the best home system on the market, especially at the sub-$300 price point. The Hoover systems were always very similar to the Bissell Pro-Heat, but the improvements in this "Lift-Off" model push Bissell ahead in our opinion. It is certainly better than the Rug Doctor rental systems that are nowhere near as good as even the Pro-Heat.

The things we really like about this system are:

Combined design makes for easy storage, use, and clean-up. We really like the fact that our days of having two separate systems are over.

Power and cleaning. This system does a great job on stains and on full floor cleaning. It is a noticeable improvement over the effectiveness of the Pro-Heat, and even that did a very good job.

Price. A good Spot Bot and a good Carpet Cleaner typically each cost what this machine is priced at separately. You really are getting two machines for the price of one.

Suction. I think that the reason this machine works so well is that they have really improved the suction. It sucks almost all of the dirt, solution, and water back into its tank, leaving the carpet almost dry just a few minutes after you finish.

I highly recommend that you consider this machine.

Factors

I had an old Sears/Kenmore carpet cleaner based on a wet/dry vac and it was monstrously heavy and noisy. It did not have rotating brushes, but did remove dirt fairly well. When the water pump broke, I needed something else. The Amazon reviews for the Hoover models are better than any of the Bissells, but upon closer inspection there are a substantial number of Hoover owners who report shearing off the brush plastic drive-shaft after only a few uses. This is a $30 replacement! Consumer Reports (Oct 2010) says that all the larger Hoover and Bisssell cleaners clean equally well, but that Bissell models are somewhat quieter. They also report that Bissell vacuums are more reliable than Hoover (and I suppose carpet cleaners will be similar). Furthermore, Bissell has a 2 year warranty and Hoover has a one year warranty (although in some Amazon reviews, Hoover owners report only a 90 day warranty!). The Bissell Lift-off Deep Cleaner model 27F6 (red) was on sale at Target so I took a chance it would clean OK and be reliable.

NOTE: Bissell lists 4 model numbers for this unit (94Y2, 27F6,35K3 and 73H5). They appear to differ mostly in the attachments included. The Amazon model is 94Y2, but it appears identical to 27F6 except is green, but it does NOT appear to include the "deep reach tool" I so love (see below)!

The Manual

You would think that for the $$$$ I spent Bissell could have included a good manual, but no. The manual is spartan with murky illustrations. It took me longer than I would care to admit to figure out where to put in the 4 screws to assemble it. There are seemingly 4 obvious holes for the screws, but these are not correct. The actual holes are somewhat hidden even though they are "marked" with almost invisible arrows. The cleaner disassembles cleverly for cleaning and storage, but it is a challenge to figure out how to do this from the manual illustrations. The quick start guide has color pictures, but they are tiny, tiny. Larger more detailed color pictures would be very desirable. Come on how expensive could this be?

The Lift-off Portable Cleaner

The unit is made so the carpet cleaner section easily lifts off the base (by pressing a pedal) to convert into a portable spot cleaner. I thought that this was just a gimmick, but I was wrong! It is the best part of the Bissell cleaner. The lift off cleaner with its 6 ft flexible hose fits PERFECTLY ON STAIR TREADS and it is light and easy to move. THIS IS GREAT! Start at the top of the stairs and slowly work your way down a stair at a time using the included "deep reach tool" (may not be included in the Amazon unit). Remember to keep the tool pressed firmly against the rug when releasing cleaning solution or it will spray all over your pants!! The results on my hard to clean carpeted stairs with somewhat matted carpeting were remarkably good. The "deep reach tool" has a brush plus hard plastic prongs to dig into matted carpet and raise the pile. I''ll admit that I only did the matted down parts of the stairs, and now these formerly dirty parts have a noticeably higher pile (about 1/4 inch)! It looks almost new (almost) and the result has so far lasted a day with light traffic. So I now may have to do the rest of the stairs so that the "clean" parts will look as good as the formerly matted parts. The "deep reach tool" itself is not easy to clean out.

UPDATE 11/8/11: Stair treads still look good after 1 week. The carpet has not yet returned to its formerly crushed/matted state after 1 week of use.

Water Removal

Water removal really depends on the carpet type. Deep pile carpets retain more water than others. With a ceiling fan my deep pile carpets took 2-3 hours to dry, but in areas without the fan the carpets took 8-10 hours. I can''t blame Bissell since even a potent high hp wet/dry vac was not able to get out any more water. It is not clearly indicated in the manual, but the Bissell has a overflow preventer that shuts off the vacuum suction if the dirty water level becomes too high or if the cleaning solution is empty (or close to empty kind of annoying). If so, you will have to correct the problem and then turn the vacuum on again. All carpet cleaners (especially rentals) dribble a bit of cleaning solution (from solution left in the tubing) when shut off. The Bissell is somewhat better in this regard.

Carpet Cleaning

Consumer Reports says that all the larger Hoover and Bisssell cleaners clean equally well and I am satisfied with the results from the Bissell. If my carpets were dirtier, the results would have been more dramatic, but the dirty water was indeed dirty. Some carpet cleaners have one water tank for the dirty water with the clean water placed in a bladder located inside the dirty water tank. The Bissell Lift-off Deep Cleaner has two removable tanks which I think is better. The dirty water tank is easy to remove and dump. The clean/soapy water tank is easy to fill (although harder to dry out for storage) and contains 3 quarts (6 lbs). I did not use the included bottle of Bissell cleaner solution since I used up an older bottle of carpet cleaner I had sitting around (it seemed to work well). The tanks have to be emptied often, but if Bissell had made these tanks bigger then the unit would (of course) weigh more and be harder to move. I feel the current size is a good compromise.

Cleaning Solution Usage

You will go through the cleaner solution in a hurry! Some people are concerned about the amount of solution a carpet cleaner uses. Actually, more is better. Remember that a small amount of water will always remain on the carpet (no matter how good the carpet cleaner is). Now look at your dirty water tank some of THAT muddy water is remaining on the carpet! The more solution that is used in cleaning, the more dilute the dirty water should become, and thus less dirt will remain on the carpet. Also keep in mind that the slower you go (and the more thoroughly the cleaner cleans) the more cleaning solution will be used. People who report they only use a little solution are probably going too fast. When your carpets are relatively clean, you can go faster and use less solution. If you are worried about cost, just use a cheaper carpet cleaner solution (they probably work all the same anyway). Bissell recommends 2 oz of their 2X concentrated cleaning solution per tank.

Rinse Cycle

Many carpet cleaner models from Hoover and Bissell have a switch to change from cleaning to rinse. The Bissell Lift-off Deep Cleaner does not have this so if you want to rinse you will have to clean the carpet first and then change to water to rinse the carpet. Doing so will probably be faster than to rinse after every pass anyway. Bissell does not recommend rinsing. Also consider that most modern cleaning solutions contain ingredients designed to protect the carpet that you may not wish to rinse off (such as ScotchGuard protection). When used as directed and after the carpet is dry it is impossible to tell if you have rinsed (no discernible residue). I don''t rinse.

Weight is NOT a problem

Some other Amazon reviewers here have suggested that this Bissell is heavy. No. I would say instead that it is very light! Here''s why. All Hoover and Bissell cleaners are fairly heavy/bulky and difficult to carry. This cleaner is very easy to move because you merely lift off the portable cleaner from the base. Now you have two easy to carry parts (base = 12 lbs; portable cleaner = 13.5 lbs). Carry the base and portable cleaner separately upstairs, then press to click back together (make sure both sides click) and fill the tank with cleaning solution (6 lbs). Easy!

Fiber Bunnies (balls)

All carpet cleaners (both Bissell and Hoover) with active spinning brushes liberate a few fibers from your carpet and roll them into fiber balls. Assuming you don''t clean your carpets daily, this should not contribute to carpet wear. Be aware that the rotating brushes on your vacuum cleaner also do the same, but you never see the bunnies because the vacuum cleaner immediately picks them up. Carpet cleaners have a vacuum slit too small to pick up the bunnies so you will see them scattered over the floor. If this will greatly distress you, do not get get a cleaner with rotating brushes (but of course the rotating brushes improve cleaning performance).

Durability and Maintenance

To be determined. As mentioned above, the cleaner disassembles cleverly for cleaning and storage, but the "deep reach tool" does not seem easy to clean out. I will try to update.

Etc.

Another reviewer here got her unit through Amazon''s Vine program. You may notice that I am also sometimes a Vine reviewer, but I bought this unit ($$$$) and this review is not a part of the Vine program. As the other reviewer explained, Amazon does not pressure Vine reviewers to write good reviews.

Buy BISSELL Lift-Off Deep Cleaner Now

I have never owned my own carpet cleaner, to be honest. When we''ve felt the need to shampoo carpets in the past we''ve always rented the machine from our local grocery store (what a beast!) but this Bissell deep cleaner is one fine machine!

Upon opening the box I was a little overwhelmed (it''s a large box and a complicated looking device), but I was quickly put to ease by the actual simplicity of operating this cleaner. Assembling was simple: take a screw driver and screw on the handle. Took me just a couple minutes (and I am NOT a "handy" type, but the husband wasn''t home and I was too anxious to wait). There were two instruction booklets, one was a quick start type with pictures and just a couple pages, the other was a full several page manual. I appreciated both. In reality, it was easy to get this cleaner up and running. Once you get to know it and learn the basics, it''s a snap.

In the box was a little bottle of Bissell''s cleaner, which I appreciated since I didn''t have any on hand but I wanted to try this sucker out right away. Filling the tank is pretty easy, as well as emptying the dirty water. When I first started running the machine I was concerned that the water wouldn''t last long, and this machine would guzzle the water & cleaner. That was not the case! It seemed to push a lot of water out into the carpet, but the tank still lasted quite a while so it is well designed in that area as well.

First I tried out the spot cleaner. Can I just say I adore this cleaner''s 2 in 1 capabilities! LOVE that I can spot clean an area rug, the upholstery, and the car with ease! And YES, I''ve done all three such things already all went off without a hitch. I''m especially impressed with how clean it got my grandparents old Ethan Allen upholstered chairs from the 1960s. It took intimidating spots out of my area rug without any hesitation, and the ability to shampoo my car out without a handful of quarters at some overpriced car wash is NICE.

I was also very pleased with the upright-style cleaning job it did. At first I was concerned it got my carpet overly wet, but when it dried fairly quickly (within an hour or two, with a ceiling fan on) I was happy. With the hand-held nozzle on the spot cleaning portion the top is clear plastic, so you can literally SEE all the dirt coming up out of your carpet. You fill the tank up with clean water, plus a couple ounces of the Bissell carpet cleaning solution, but when you''re done cleaning you can SEE the filthy water. I''ll be honest, I''m a little shocked at how dirty our carpets were, but also makes me feel SO good about seeing all that dirt come right out. This machine has some powerful suction, too.

I have to say, you need to be physically capable of running this machine in order to get the best use of it. Most adults can handle it just fine, I''m sure, but it is like a large vacuum. Also, in order to use the spot cleaner on rugs and carpets, you should be able to get down on your knees and be able to scrub with the spot cleaning device. I wouldn''t necessarily recommend this machine for a weak elderly person or someone who is not completely physically able.

Overall, while I think this carpet cleaner looked large and intimidating to start, it''s practically my new best friend. I''m serious I have a toddler and a baby who just learned to crawl. I''m loving being able to go through my house and scrub that dirt out from our carpets. Unlike the grocery store rentable cleaners, I was surprised to find that the Bissell doesn''t seem to cause that awful "just cleaned the carpets" smell, either. I can smell a little bit of that scent, but it''s just seeming more fresh than it ever has in the past with those other machines.

This is absolutely a product I would recommend to someone looking for a versatile carpet cleaner. I feel like you just get the best of both worlds with this 2 in 1 style. The spot cleaning portion is brilliant, but the upright style also gets the job done. We''re very happy with this machine!

Post-edit: Since posting this review a few fellow Amazon customers have asked questions about this cleaner, please see the comments section on my review for ever more information. And feel free to ask additional questions, also!

Read Best Reviews of BISSELL Lift-Off Deep Cleaner Here

I have a lot of experience with steam cleaners. My mom, an avid cleaner, owned no fewer than six machines during the time I was old enough to use them (around 12) until the time I moved out of the house ten years later. I''ve used both Hoovers and Bissells and a Spot Bot (not included in the machine count above). When it was time to buy a steam cleaner of my own, I gravitated to the lift-off because I wishfully thought that this machine could be both an upright and hand-held steam cleaner, but unfortunately, the compromise of mobility makes this a bad upright machine.

The machine''s biggest draw back is its very small tank capacity. The tank is tiny and if you have a room with any real dirt or size, you are going to be refilling it often. I refilled it three times for one very dirty 12x12 room. The dynamics of the machine is also a little weird since all the weight is at the bottom of the machine. You have to push it a little harder to get it going and it''s a little difficult to see how the brushes are spinning/how much water is being sucked up because of the shape of the lift off unit.

Refilling the machine is easy, removing and lowering the portable unit is easy and I''m sure it''s great as an upholstery cleaner. But if you are looking for an upright machine first and a spot cleaner second, then buy two machines, because the Lift-Off is definitely a compromise for large spaces.

Want BISSELL Lift-Off Deep Cleaner Discount?

I have owned a Hoover brand carpet cleaner, rented Rug Doctor carpet cleaners and had my carpets professionally cleaned. I own 3 dogs who occasionally have `accidents'' inside, a pre-teen daughter prone to spills, and a husband who thinks the house is self-cleaning. Berber carpets in the living, hall and dining areas, as well as a home gym. The bedrooms have an older shag carpet. I''ve never used a machine spot cleaner before, and love the idea of a machine that gives you two cleaners for the price of one.

Enter Bissell''s Lift-Off Deep Cleaner...

The Machine:

It''s a heavy one 30+ pounds. Moves remarkably well though, despite its heft. The Lift-Off portable section is about 15 pounds by itself. The directions are somewhat sparse but by looking at the labeled diagrams and reading the short `how to''s'' you can figure it out.

No diagram for the Lift-Off specifically is in either guide and the directions for portable spot cleaning mode are somewhat poor. I could get the Lift-Off portion off, but found reseating it to be a bit of a struggle, with the directions offering no help. Eventually I ended up at the Bissell site watching videos for guidance. That did help, and I''d recommend checking it out prior to using this Bissell product.

A Quick Start Guide and a Bissell User''s Guide are included in the package, along with the deep cleaner and a starter 8 ounce bottle of Bissell''s 2x Professional Deep Cleaning Formula.

The portable Lift-Off is where the dirty water container and the water/solution tank is housed. It sits on top of the rolling base with the brushes. A foot pedal on the left (as you face the machine) releases the Lift-Off for use. The cord containment is wrapped around the Lift-Off portion, and the hose for the Lift-Off is wrapped around the opposite side of the Lift-Off from the cord. The place where you attach one of two attachments to the Lift-Off hose is upright towards the right back (facing machine) of the Bissell. Overall, it is a very efficient design.

The on/off switch is on the Lift-Off and operates the entire Bissell Deep Cleaner. You need to depress it and let the machine sit running for one minute prior to using it after you add the water/solution tank when it''s filled and ready to go. NOTE: The Bissell is noisy sort of like a small jet engine, so you may want to wear ear protection if using this machine for a long time.

The `trigger'' is on the handle. You have to install the handle prior to using the Bissell. This takes 4 Phillips head screws (included) and a long-handled Phillips head screwdriver (not included). Patience is key when doing this one. The screw holes are not visible, but the holes are marked with arrows on the black plastic handle. You have to feel your way until the screws seat and start to work their way in. A mildly frustrating endeavor, but it worked eventually and the handle is securely fastened to the unit once these screws are in place.

The Bissell Formula:

Bissell recommends you use only their formulas in this machine. The current Bissell formulas are 2x''s as concentrated as before leaving you to believe you''d need less to do the same job. Honestly, I''m not sure if that''s the case, but the formulas are 2x''s the price of non-concentrated formulas!

I managed to find a 64 ounce bottle for the 50 ounce price at my local store. I had planned on buying the solution from Amazon with the buy 3 get one free (4 for 3) promotion, but even with that promotion, it was cheaper to buy it locally. So check solution prices before you buy. I also got a Bissell Pretreat spray for over 50% less than it was on Amazon at a local store.

Several Bissell formula choices are available: Bissell 2X Professional Deep Cleaning Formula, 48 ounces, 78H63, Bissell 2X Fiber Cleansing Advanced Formula, 24 Ounces, 62E5, Bissell 2X Pet Stain and Odor Advanced Formula, 24 Ounces, 99K5, Bissell 2X Multi-Allergen Advanced Formula, 24 Ounces, 89Q5, Bissell 2X Natural Orange Extract Advanced Formula, 24 Ounces, 83P3, and Bissell 2X Lavender Essence Advanced Formula, 24 Ounces, 34B5. I suggest if you plan on cleaning a larger than 500 sq'' area, you pick up more solution than the starter 8 ounce that came with the Bissell Lift-Off Deep Cleaner.

The Bissell 2x Professional Deep Cleaning Formula smells very fresh. Strong while cleaning your carpets, but that softens as the carpets dry. By the time it dried completely, it was barely there for me, but a faint clean scent remained. If you are highly sensitive to scents, you may want to avoid it though, and try the Allergen formula.

Warning: regarding Professional Deep Cleaning Formula strength if you don''t want your hands to get chaffed, don''t let your skin touch the solution or solution/water mixture. I''d suggest wearing rubber gloves while emptying and filling tanks I didn''t and my hands paid the price.

Carpet Deep Cleaning:

I chose to test drive this model in our home gym. Daily use in this room, but not heavy traffic. I vacuumed well with a Dyson DC28 Animal vacuum first. Some spots and high traffic areas were visible on the carpet, and were sprayed with Bissell Tough Stain PreCleaner, 22 ounces, 4001 5 minutes prior to deep cleaning.

To begin you use 2 ounces (1/4 cup) per tank full of Bissell Formula solution (your choice) into hot tap water to the line on the water/solution tank. I suggest using a funnel not included) for this task, and putting the water in first, as if you put the solution first you will get a lot of foam. Swirl to mix. Place tank into spot on machine. Turn on the machine to pre-heat for one minute prior to deep cleaning or spot cleaning.

Solution will be dispensed quickly if you follow the directions of pulling the trigger and holding it as you move the Bissell forward and back, and then releasing the trigger and going back and forth to extract the solution.

Some carpets may only need you to hold the trigger down going one way, as on the Berber it was easy to see the carpet got a good dose of water and solution the first time this would have saved on solution and multiple tank refills too. Bottom line: this thing really sucks down the juice so be prepared to fill the water/solution tanks many times for a large area!

For approximately every two water/solution refills, you need to empty the dirty water tank. At least that was the case for me. There is an audible change that indicates the unit is sucking air the dirty water tank may or may not be to the `full'' line (mine wasn''t there yet), but it''s full and time to dump the dirty water. Grit may also be visible on the red filter as you lift off the tank, and you would want to wipe it off as it affects suction and performance of the machine.

Grit and carpet fibers tended to collect on the bottom of the machine behind the rollers as it cleaned even after a thorough Dyson vacuuming. I took this to mean that the `deep cleaning'' was doing its job and pulling out the deeply embedded gunk.

Deep Cleaning Results:

Almost immediately the room you''re cleaning smells better. Amazing how much odors are picked up in carpets even with daily vacuuming

Most pre-treated spots (dog vomit old stains) seemed to disappear after cleaning the spot 2x''s with 5-6 slow passes over the stain in several directions. Larger traffic areas that were pre-treated and received the same treatment still showed a slight discoloration, but were much lighter right after cleaning. The water was black with dirt, so I wasn''t surprised.

As the spots dried, they were lighter, but still visible. Bissell suggests on their website that if this occurs, you use the Pretreat spray again and let it sit overnight before trying the Lift-Off spot cleaner. I will update my review after trying that one, but for now suffice to say that older spots may or may not come off the carpet, even with a pretreatment. You should see a positive difference if not elimination of new spots however.

Spot Cleaning with Lift-Off:

I tried the Lift-Off spot cleaner on heavily stained spots on Berber inside my home, inside my car, and on my couch''s upholstery. I must say I was more impressed with this part of the unit, than the deep cleaner.

Carpet spots in house: These were all dog vomit (mainly bile, some with blood old Lab is sweet, but at 12 she''s got a fussy tummy) spots, which have previously been cleaned with both OxyClean and Spot Shot. Neither worked well.

Carpet and Upholstery in car: coffee spills, chocolate stains, general dirt. About 8 years worth of general grime.

Couch Upholstery: general dirt and home odors no visible spots or stains.

I pre-treated all spots on the carpets for 20 hours with Bissell''s Pet Stain and Odor pre-treater (found locally, but not on Amazon). Vacuumed the area to be cleaned and then mixed the Bissell Professional Deep Cleaning Formula with hot water. I pre-heated the machine for 1 minute and then spot cleaned three spots on the carpet.

Because the brush on the attachment head seemed a bit wimpy for the stains (it''s good, but these are ''ugh'' stains...), I used a cleaning brush I have at home to scrub the area after putting the water/solution mix on to the area, then extracted the water via the Bissell portable. The power of extraction was GREAT you have to tip the head of the attachment down, but it''s easy to get the feel for it. Several passes in several directions left the area dry in 3 hours.

One tip while using the Lift-Off tilt the head down and over the area to be cleaned and hover about 2" over the area as you pull the trigger to dispense the solution. This covers a pretty wide path, and then you simply release the trigger, drag the attachment head securely over the stain to extract it. You do have to apply medium pressure to the head of the attachment and angle the head to get the maximum extraction of water and solution.

The stains in the carpet? Well, they are still there, but like the stains in the gym that were cleaned with the upright they are more faint. A huge improvement and I would have to credit the pretreatment, the Bissell Professional solution and the pull of the portable for this result. I intend to be more vigilant about immediate accident clean-ups now that I have this portable unit, and would imagine that if found in quickly and pre-treated with Bissell''s Pet products, new stains will be eliminated.

The car upholstery and carpet looked great. Brightened up my light gray interior on my 4Runner and smells nice too. Very quick and easy to use in the car. No more worries about muddy feet mucking up the carpet!

The hands-down winner in the portable testing was the couch. I didn''t think it was really dirty, but it had a cooking and pets smell to it. That''s completely gone and the navy blue fabric with threads of lighter colors, is now brighter and fresh looking. The muddy gunk I got out of it was amazing, and the Bissell was so easy to use, I''m actually looking forward to using it on all my furniture before and after the holidays.

Overall Rating for the Bissell Lift-Off Deep Cleaner: 4 out of 5

The deep cleaned carpet looked fresher, brighter and smelled great. I think it did `deep clean'' by comparison to the Hoover branded home cleaner and the Rug Doctor machines which just swirled things around on the top of the carpet and left a lot more water behind, for longer drying times.

The heat, the Bissell solution and great water extraction from Berber carpets, all left behind a good result. As good as a professional cleaning? No, but better than most home cleaning units and rentals I''ve tried, and you have the convenience of two machines for a lot of different jobs, and it all works well.

Really loved the Lift-Off portable though. It''s a 5 out of 5 in my opinion and a surprise. I will use it a lot and because it doesn''t suck down the solution and water quickly at all, it will save me a ton money in spray-on carpet and upholstery cleaners that never worked well anyway.

If this Bissell had been able to eliminate old stains on my carpets, had better directions and a bigger water/solution tank it would have been a 5 star machine overall. Can any machine do that? I''m not sure, but I''ll continue to look for it!

The Bissell Lift-Off Deep Cleaner is a great home unit for people with new carpets and furniture that they want to keep clean with semi-annual cleansing and spot clean-ups.

For those of us with older homes, less time for carpet cleaning, messy families, pets and old stains, it''s good, but not great in terms of a carpet cleaner. A solid, quality product with much to offer, it''s not a magic elixir to what is ailing your old carpets. While I had high hopes that stains would disappear with just a bit of extra effort as seen in the Bissell promo video, I''ve not found that to be true.

As for upholstery and fast clean ups of new messes, and cleaning your car...the portable Lift-Off cleaner is fantastic. A bit heavy, but you don''t have to hold it while it does its job.

Suggestions for Bissell:

1. Bigger Water/Solution Tank: the small tank of water/solution mix is quickly depleted while deep cleaning. I could only get a strip of carpet about 4''x6'' completed and then I''d have to refill the tank. That seemed far too frequently to be running to the sink, but probably not all that unusual for most home cleaning units.

2. Incorporate Videos: include a DVD of the helpful videos from the Bissell website, or improve the Lift-Off Deep Cleaner User''s Guide.

3. Easier Handle Attachment: figure out how to have the handle attached before it ships to the consumer. A tricky assembly, even with only 4 screws.

Is it worth the price? That depends upon the consumer. If you want an awesome spot cleaner and a good deep cleaner for sure it''s a deal. Particularly if you have a newer home with kids and pets.

If you only really see yourself using a deep cleaner, you may want to consider other Bissell Deep Cleaners which also have heat, but are less expensive. Like this one: Bissell ProHeat Upright Deep Cleaner, 25A3.

Take a look at the photos I''ve posted to see product photos, and before and after shots of carpet deep cleaning.

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