With its two removable tanks and rotating SpinScrub brushes, the Hoover SteamVac Deluxe targets the ground-in dirt that dry vacuums leave behind. Designed for carpet and upholstery, the vacuum combines hot tap water with a cleaning agent, disperses the mix into carpet fibers, and recovers the dirty solution into a separate tank. The 12 amp machine has an 11-inch cleaning path that works in forward and reverse and automatically adjusts for changes in carpet height. A fingertip trigger controls solution dispersal, while a foot pedal controls both power and handle release. The SpinScrub floor brushes can be operated on high or low, turned off for delicate surfaces, and removed for rinsing. You can also use this machine for retrieval of wet spills. Hoover makes the model belt-free to reduce maintenance. For above-floor tasks, the vacuum includes an 8-foot hose that attaches to a port on the floor nozzle, a bristled attachment, and a powered hand tool with two rotating brushes. Though not instant, the tool conversion process gets easier with a little practice. Handy details on this model include the built-in measuring cup, recovery-tank filter, brush indicator, solution trigger on the hose, and quick-release hooks for the 24-foot power cord. Hoover includes a one-year warranty and a 16-ounce starter bottle of cleaning solution. A bare-floor attachment for this machine is available separately. --Emily Bedard
