Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I'm a big fan of Bissell products. I have their HealthyHome upright vac and absolutely love it. Also have their SpotBot (for spot carpet cleaning) and their FlipIt (for hard floor cleaning) and put both to use regularly (when you have multiple cats, you need lots of cleaning equipment!). So I was expecting another home run from the ProDry.
Big disappointment! While it has some merits, the bottom line is that it is not nearly as effective as a traditional carpet cleaner.
The unit assembles easily. Just four screws and you're good to go. You fill the clean water tank (located in the rear) with hot water and cleaning fluid, just like a conventional carpet cleaner. The dirty water tank is the front. What's different about the ProDry is the roller bar.
Rather than spray water on the carpet and then suck it back up, the ProDry wets a roller bar that, in turn, rubs on the carpet and (in theory) cleans it. The roller bar looks just like a long nap paint roller (e.g., the type you would use to paint a textured wall).
The benefit of this approach is that the carpet is not soaked with cleaning fluid, thus cutting down on the dry time. Also, it's good for area rugs, since the cleaning fluid won't soak into the carpet and damage the floor below.
That all sounds good, but the be-all and end-all of a carpet cleaner is whether it actually cleans the carpet. The ProDry did a very poor job on a thick pile carpet (a 10 by 15 area rug). While it was barely damp when I was done, it was also barely clean. I've had much better results with a conventional carpet cleaner. Even the SpotBot did a better job! (Yes you can use a SpotBot to clean a large rug -- use the hose and set aside a LOT of time!)
It did a bit better on a loose nap rug but again, the results were significantly below what I would consider to be acceptable.
The roller bar can be cleaned and should last (according to Bissell) for six months. The problem is that removing it for cleaning is a real bear -- you have to remove several screws to get it off the machine. I was surprised by this design issue given the thought Bissell has put into their other products to make them easy to use.
It also has a spray nozzle and hose system for cleaning stairs, furniture, etc. That worked well - just turn the dial on the front to switch to the hose, and it dispensed the fluid and sucked it back up with minimal fuss. It also has a rather unique cleaning head (in addition to the regular one) that can be filled with the Bissell OxyGen cleaning fluid. That was a bit messy in terms of leaks, but a nice idea. I'm a bit concerned about the build quality of the hose assembly - seems rather flimsy.
I'll use this mainly as a stair cleaner using the hose and nozzle. I've been using my SpotBot for that, and the longer hose and bigger tanks will make that job easier. Other than that, I can't see much benefit to this model, and I don't feel it is worth the cost charged.
I'd recommend the ProDry only if you have nothing but area rugs that are brand new and need only the most gentle of cleaning. For anything else, I think you can do a lot better with a more conventional carpet cleaner from Bissell or Hoover.
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Bissell PROdry Fast-Drying Carpet Cleaner, 7350Equipped with a 6-1/4 amp motor, this fast-drying carpet cleaner makes cleaning carpets as easy as vacuuming. The unit's TLR PowerRoller floor brush not only lifts, traps, and removes dirt and debris from carpets and area rugs, but it also absorbs the majority of the cleaning spray from the machine for fast drying in less than 30 minutes. Plus, area rugs can be cleaned where they lay because the cleaning solution won't soak through. Choose between floor cleaning or cleaning with tools by turning the Ready Tools dial. The "tools" setting allows for above-floor cleaning of upholstery, stairs, creases along baseboards, and hard-to-reach areas. Simply choose the appropriate tool for the job, attach it to the flexible ready-to-use 8-foot hose, and it's ready to go. Tools include a tough-stain tool and an OxyGen2 PowerTool, both made from 100-percent post-consumer recycled materials. The OxyGen2 PowerTool, in combination with OxyGen2 multi-purpose formula, works as an advanced stain-fighting tool for removing tough stains such as coffee, juice, cola, and red wine. Other details include a 1/2-gallon clean-water/solution tank, a carry handle, large easy-to-maneuver wheels, and a 25-foot power cord with Quick Release cord wrap. A 16-ounce bottle of Fiber Cleansing Formula and a trial-size container of OxyGen2 are included, and the TLR PowerRoller can be washed or replaced as needed. The carpet cleaner measures approximately 18 by 12 by 43-1/2 inches and carries a one-year limited warranty. From the Manufacturer Why Should I Buy a Bissell Carpet Cleaning Machine? Specifications Carpets and area rugs dry in less than 301/2-gallon tank capacity 25-foot cord length Additional tools: OxyGen2 PowerTool and tough-stain tool made from 100-percent post-consumer recycled materials Additional items: 16-ounce Fiber Cleansing Formula, trial size OxyGen2 8-foot upholstery hose length 6-1/4 amp motor1/2-gallon clean-water/solution tank Carry handle and large easy-to-maneuver wheels 25-foot power cord with Quick Release cord wrap Measures approximately 18 by 12 by 43-1/2 inches One-year limited warranty.
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