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Input:
Question: I don't understand the vacuum function.  Do you use it as a vacuum first and then the scrubbing?  Or does it just pick up dirt while wet and scrubbing?  Thanks!
Document: The first time I used it, it picked up half a tank of dirty BLACK (not brown) water, with soot and all kinds of crap in the bottom of the tank. I have never mopped again in my life after that.I use the wet vacuum function once a month after sweeping, and boy.. the amount of dirt/hair/little rocks this thing collects amazes me every time. This product is just fantastic!!
Basically you use the "vacuum"  mode first to suck up surface dust or dirt. The machine will get a good bit of surface material, but does not really replace a good quality vacuum cleaner for overall vacuuming. The next step is to switch the machine to the "wash" or "scrub" mode. This turns on the row of scrubbing brushes across the front of the cleaner, and allows you to use the cleaning solution to wet scrub your floor.
They can collect a significant amount of dirt, and the only way to properly clean them is washing them thoroughly and flushing all the waste. Then you'll need to wait for the filter to dry - at least a day - before being able to use it again.While these are real limitations for me, I understand that they are part of the wet vacuum design.
Machine is  bulky and does not reach corners or close to baseboards well. Bristles are much too soft, like a soft toothbrush,and will not clean up stuck on food like dripped ice cream. Dirty water tank has a filter which has to be cleaned (nasty),  I would rather use a mop and bucket of water. Must move very slowly to wash floor and vacuum up water. Vacuum function did not pick everything up.PROS - does clean surface dirt and the water is dirty.
I wanted to LOVE this product but when I got it it was useless. The vacuum function doesn't pick up hardly anything. The wet spray shoots out water inconsistently. To dry the floors the suction sporadically works well and then glosses over water puddles. I am SO disappointed!
I have had this product for about three weeks. I have used it twice a week since I got it. I have wood vinyl floors which get extremely dirty looking really fast and tile. Vacuum works great on small stuff but doesn't pick up pieces. The wash function is amazing. Leaves my floors clean ( I did a wet paper towel test) and streak free. Only negative is the water tanks are kind of small so it's needs filled/emptied often. I have recommend this to anyone with hard floors.
Plus, the water tank is gross. So, with two dogs who shed constantly, I have determined it is best to vacuum with my regular vacuum first.I rarely use the dryer on the machine, the floors really aren't that wet after scrubbing - there's a rubber squeegee in front of the scrubbers/vacuum that does a great job pulling up the water.I have used this machine on the linoleum floors in my kitchen and bathrooms, as well as the wood floors in my den.
I have had the FloorMate for a little over a week and have used it every day since I got it. I could not be happier with it. The vacuum function will not pick up anything big but it does pick up dirt/sand and dog hair without a problem. The wash function leaves my floors squeaky clean and although the floors are not instantly dried by the dry function it cuts down the dry time significantly.
I wish there was a zero rating since that what this product is worth to me.I received the first spin/scrub Hoover and it worked... okay at best. The scrubbing brushes are too feeble to really scrub as the name implies. The worst of it is the mop function, the release of water stopped after the third use. The drying function was not experienced since it didn't lay down water to mop.It was too late to return it so I had to deal with the retailer.
This is the beat floor cleaning machine I have used so far. It is easy to use and it really works. I first vacuum (it even gets the cat litter, no shooting out the back), wash a section, and dry. I use it on the tile as well as hard wood and it feels clean . I highly recommend. One thing though, empty the canister before you wash other wise the dirt you vacuumed up gets all wet, no fun to clean put.
Answer: You can use it to vacuum the floor prior to the wet scrubbing. Is is constantly sucking up the dirty water as you clean, like a carpet cleaner. You can also go back to suctions only to pick up any excess water after you have cleaned an area. To me, the key is to go section by section.