Vacuums: any true multi-purpose?

[CheBella]

Are there any deep-clean vacuums (water or steam) than can be used as a regular {dry} vacuum too? I know that the Bissell Green Machine can, but the directions sound like it's an involved conversion process, and only for little attachments. I need to suck up lots of flat-coat retriever hair, and keep it from smelling doggy as well.

[thewillow]

Hoover Aquamaster, if they still make it.

[hedgehog]

We have dogs too. I used to have a Kirby cleaner which had a carpet shampoo attachment. It was a bit of a performance to set it up, but the results were good. I got rid of it and bought a Dyson Animal because it was very heavy to push and I couldn't get hold of the vac. bags except through them. They are also v. expensive to buy. You could probably buy a good cleaner and a carpet shampoo machine (e.g. Bissel) for the same money.

[Diane]

I agree with Hedgehog. Try getting a Dyson Animal Hoover. It has a Turbo brush that really picks up the hair. (I have 10 cats and cream carpets!). To keep the carpet fresh they have some fluffy looking granules (Zorb) that you sprinkle on the carpet and leave for a while then hoover them up. I can highly recommend this. People can't even tell I have all the cats until they see them or the scratching posts. I use a Bissel upright about once every six weeks.If you clean the carpet too often it will end up attracting more hair as the cleaning fluid leaves a sticky residue.