I use a Hoover with onboard heater and it works very well for me. I don't ever purchase the Hoover carpet cleaning solution - it just made my carpet feel sticky. For the two wool rugs I have, I use 1 cup of distilled vinegar and fill the rest with water. For the light carpeting, I use a mixture of a little dissolved oxyclean plus X-O (this is an enzyme cleaner to take care of pet spots and kid spills) plus water. Works great. The onboard heater really makes a big difference. My previous cleaner did not have one and did not clean nearly as well. As to liquid use - you control the amount you choose to use. The liquid is only sprayed when you hold the trigger. None of the models available have a huge cleaning solution or dirty water tank. You would have to go with a commercial model for that.

BioKleen makes a carpet shampoo (see 18 reviews giving it 5 out of 5 - http://international.drugstore.com/products/prod.asp?pid=189741&catid=142231&trx=PLST-0-SEARCH&trxp1=142231&trxp2=189741&trxp3=1&trxp4=0amp;btrx=BUY-PLST-0-SEARCH&fromsrch=biokleen+rug). I have used their Bac-Out product and can't say enough good things about it. It has removed many stains in my life :) Carpet & Rug Shampoo Biokleen Carpet & Rug Shampoo is safe on all washable fibers and is gentle on carpet backings and pads. Safe for most types of surfaces, cleans and rinses effectively with hot or cold water, and leaves no harsh residues or fumes behind. Works with household or rental carpet shampooers and even commercial extractors. � Removes tough stains and odors without toxic chemicals � Safe to use in homes with children and pets � Great for high traffic areas � Perfect for home and office environments � Kind to those with chemical sensitivities and allergies Please let us know what you try and how it works! Someone also told me that they used Shaklee's Basic H2 (although this you can't find in stores). I've not tried it myself but the acquaintance that did was very pleased. Here is a link that might be useful: BioKleen Carpet & Rug Shampoo

Christy, I was horrified too. Especially since I 'love' Bissell and have one in my home right now... groan. I have made sure since you posted that to check to make sure it's not overheating (it's not) and to put it away right after using it. If that vacuum could do that to that poor poor poor little boy, it seems like it would be a fire hazard too, don't you think? And yet, everyone knows what Brittney's doing this week. Our media is focused on entirely the wrong sort of "news" if you ask me. This will have an effect on my purchasing decisions in the future.

My mom bought an Electrolux ca 1947 and used until she died in 2001. I have had several vacuum cleaners: 2 canisters from Sears and a Kirby. We've got the Kirby model Generation 3. It replaced the canisters. It was too pricey in my book so the salesman sold us a demonstration model for half price. Yes, it is heavy but I have no problem vacuuming next to walls. My complaints are: 1) its a bit of kluge to convert from its default configuration to hose mounted acessories, and 2) the most worrisome is bag availability. Bags for it have dissappeared in stores - I have to locate a dealer to get bags for it. If you don't live near a major city, I don't know how one would get bags. However, the bags will hold a generous amount of dirt. My Kirby does a good job of vacuuming. Its beater brush can get fouled with long hair and fibers, but so has every other vacuum we have owned. Its weak point is burning the belt that runs the beater bar. Its too easy to lower the head too far into a carpet pile and stall the brush. When you do this, the rubber belt takes a beating and will forever slip after that because it is now stretched out from the burn-out. The last time I looked at a product survey in "Appliance Design" magazine, Kirby had less than 5% of the vacuum cleaning market. This does not bode well.