Hoover Remanufactured FloorMate SpinScrub Widepath Hard-Floor Cleaner, H3040RM

Comment: This is the second FloorMate machine that I have purchased. The first model was purchased about 4 years ago and was somewhat smaller. The only problem I had with the earlier model was having to replace the squeegee often. I hope that part has been improved on for this model. I use this machine for cleaning the laminate wood floors throughout most of my house. Thus far I have yet to find anything that works better. However I am a little frustrated when it comes to purchasing the cleaning fluid. It seems that the product that I use to use (Old English) is no longer being made. The Hoover product is not available in stores that I patronize, Walmart, Lowes, etc. Rather than driving all over creation in an attempt to find a store which carries the product, I purchased online. The first time I used the H3040RM I had a problem with the upper tank leaking through the bottom valve. It is probably a bad o-ring or seal and it appears that the valve has to be removed from inside the tank. My hand will not fit in the tank opening, so it looks like I will have to take it to a service center.

Comment: I have owned a Hoover FloorMate for many years, I LOVE it, does a great job cleaning my floors, both tile and vinyl, and they dry very quickly, even quicker if I use the wet pick up. had to replace a part a year ago (clean water tank was leaking) so bought it from Hoover. This was expensive! I damaged the dirty water tank a couple of weeks ago, checked Hoover website and figured it would cost $40+ to replace including the shipping. Then saw the whole floor cleaner re manufactured on Amazon (cool and cheap products were the seller) for $42 (plus shipping)! Decided to get it and use for parts if it was in the bad shape many have described. It arrived today, earlier than the shipping was estimated, and is in great shape, the main unit looks like new, the brushes show a little wear but are very clean. Will now use my old one for parts!

Comment: The FloorMate taht I bought in 2003 started leaking water, so I needed a replacement. This one is even better than my old one. Hoover redesigned the entire thing. It has a much wider cleaning span than the original, and the controls are now user friendly. I thought that I'd try a name brand steam mop, but the steam mop is a piece of garbage compared to this. I used the steam mop twice, and it broke! Not to mention the steam mop didn't get into the grout like the FloorMate does.

Comment: I called amazon before purchasing this product and I had asked them if this product was brand new or refurbished. They had insisted this item was brand new and was NOT refurbished. I thought the price was GREAT and purchased this item directly from amazon! Then I received the item which clearly stated on the box in big bold letters REFURBISHED. I hesitantly opened the box and removed the item. Upon inspecting the item, it had scratches all over the product! I tired the product and to my surprise it worked like a charm. There were no issues even though it was refurbished. There was still soap in the system since it was pre owened. I called amazon regarding this issue and they offered me two options:

1. Replacement
2. Exchange

I instead decided to keep the item and use it for a couple of days to see how it works. Although there are scratches on the product, it still works as described. I have been using this product for the last two days and my floors are SUPER cleen.

Comment: We've never bought an item like this before, and decided to go on the cheap and buy a refurb unit for a test run. It does show wear and the brushes were a little worn, but it works quite well far as I can tell. I imagine most of these units were bought by someone who had extremely high expectations and were disapointed and sent it back after using it once.

As for the cleaner, I think it is great for cleaning the floors that have just dirt from shoes and dog prints. I don't think it will take off caked on hard gunk, but really a normal mop doesn't either. If you understand the limitations of the machine, IE. the brushes aren't steel wool, and it is for cleaning typical dirty floors you should love this thing.

Most importantly, this thing WILL save you a bunch of time and hassle from pulling out a mop and bucket and takes considerably less physical effort to use. Meaning we will clean our floors more often. Which is really the whole point of buying one of these things, yeah?

I have no idea if you can use diluted Lysol or Murphy's oil soap in this machine, but I am certain I will find out. The Hoover brand floor cleaner (which we bought) is extremely diluted so if you mix your own batch make sure it is very diluted else you may clog your machine.

We started with this unit and will probably buy a higher end unit when this one dies, as we are so pleased with the concept and actual use of the machine.