Have you ever desired to give your hands a break while the hard floors are treated to the best clean at the same time? Well, Hoover has provided this option after designing the Floormate Deluxe hard floor cleaner which features the SpineScrub technology and counter-rotating brushes to make cleaning so convenient. Unlike the traditional hardwood floor vacuum cleaners, this appliance simply makes use of water, a cleaning solution and some spinning brushes to remove dirt and debris from various floor surfaces.
Working on sealed hardwood, ceramic tiles, vinyl, laminate and marble, the dual tank system and specialty brushes meant for wooden surfaces makes it gentle to clean floors from all angles. Since it is a water-based floor cleaner, you may be required to sweep or vacuum the dirty surfaces before using the appliance and besides, it is only recommended on bare floors. But let’s present first what you’ll learn in the following minutes:
- for what kind of cleaning tasks is the Hoover FloorMate Deluxe suitable
- how is it different from other similar products from other brands (i.e. Shark Sonic Duo), or from its older version Hoover Floormate FH40010B
- where to find it at a very good price
One of the features that I really love is the SpinScrub brushes. The cleaner is practically defined by these dual SpinScrub brushes which are located at the head of the machine. The brushes work together to scrub the hard floors in only a fraction of the total time that the traditional mop mechanism would take. The brush bar can as well be detached for cleaning, which further extends the life of your appliance. Since we’ve got to a point where you need to know the most important features of this floor cleaner, check out the infographic bellow.
Read Related Article: Hoover FH50150 Review – Power Scrub Deluxe Carpet Cleaner
Product infographic
Specifications
| Scrubbing power | Unlike other scrubbers that can be used on both carpets and bare floors, the Multi-Purpose SpinScrub Technology developed exclusively by Hoover is destined mainly for the second category. This includes all types of hard floors: sealed hardwood, laminated, ceramic tiles, marble, linoleum, composite cement, travertine and so on. The brushes can wash or gently scrub virtually any type of flat surface. There are 2 cleaning modes: Wash mode and Dry mode. The wash mode makes use of brushes to clean the surface while suctioning the excess water at the same time. The dry mode on the other hand, stops the brushes such that water is sucked up to improve the drying duration. In its wash mode, the floormate releases the cleaning solution onto the surface while four circular and counter-rotating brushes spin to clear all stains and marks from your floors. Once the cleaning is sufficiently carried out, you can then switch to the dry mode so that all the water is sucked up to dry the floors faster. Personally, I really enjoy the Dry mode, since you get a completely dry floor as soon as you swipe the appliance. The FloorMate cleaner comes with two distinct brush bar attachments which are all designed to make the cleaning job easy. One of them is meant for general hard floor cleaning while the other is specifically tailored for grout and tile cleaning. The brush bars can be interchanged easily, making it cheap and convenient for use to clean these distinct surfaces with ease. I got to say, it does an impressive job at cleaning grout. |
| Input power | Works on 120V (3.5 amps). |
| Cleaning solutions | Let's talk fist about the tanks. With the new FloorMate, the dirt tank (left side when facing unit) is completely separated from the clean water tank (right side when facing unit). My recommendation is to completely turn off the appliance before filling or emptying either of them. Each tank holds 1.5 Quarts, which is enough to clean a 400 sq ft. kitchen in one go. However, replacing the water is so easy that it almost doesn't matter how big the capacity is. The solutions can be inserted in the clean water tank using a small cap. 1.5 oz (44 ml) of Hoover 2x Multi-Floor Plus Cleaning Solution are enough for a full tank. When purchasing the product, you will get a bottle of 16 oz. of cleaning detergent. It is important to remember you can't use solvent based cleaning concentrates or any type of wax, as these may clog or corrode some parts of the appliance. |
| Pads | The Hoover FloorMate Deluxe doesn't work with cleaning pads, it works with brushes. The box contains two different brushes: a soft one that you can use on sensible floors and a hard one that you can use on grout or tiles. |
| Weight and Dimensions | The Hoover FloorMate Deluxe is relatively lightweight, with its 13.8 lbs. It measures 13 x 12 x 44 inches. |
| Warranty | The product has a 2-year warranty. |
| Accessories | Once you have purchased this appliance, you will have the following: - An upper handle - A spinscrub grout and tile brush - A spinscrub wood floor brush which is assembled with the unit - An owner's manual/quick start-guide As you see, there aren't any other accessories included. |
| Special features | Foldway handle - The floormate handle has been designed in a way that it folds down to give room for easy storage. The machine can therefore be tucked away in a corner or some cupboard drawer where most of the home appliances do not always fit. Cleaning solution trigger - On the vacuum handle, the appliance has a trigger, which is meant to release more of the cleaning solution when you want to focus the cleaning service on a tough stain. This makes the appliance versatile because at some point you require more cleaning power than the ordinary cleaning mechanisms would offer. |
| Usability | There are a few features that contribute to the good usability provided by this product. This appliance is fitted with a 20-ft power cord which gives room for maneuverability. Besides its light weight, it covers 11.5-inches cleaning path width, which means that you clean a large area with every pass. The tanks can be easily filled/emptied. |
| Price | Check out one of the most decent deals for this product, at only $132.19. |
Differences between Hoover FloorMate Deluxe (FH40160PC) and Hoover FloorMate SpinScrub (FH40010B)
There are a few differences which I’ve compiled in the following table:
| Hoover FloorMate Deluxe | Hoover FloorMate SpinScrub | |
| Vacuums | No | Yes |
| Special wood brush | Yes | No |
| Weight | 13.8 lbs. | 16 lbs. |
| Cord length | 20 ft | 27 ft |
| Nozzle Width | 11.5'' | 13'' |
| Tank capacity | 48 Ounces | 32 Ounces |
| Price | $132.19 | Price not available |
You can also check out the following video on this subject:
Hoover FloorMate Deluxe vs. Shark Sonic Duo
| Hoover FloorMate Deluxe | Shark Sonic Duo | |
| Scrubbing power | Multi-Purpose counter-rotating brushes - SpinScrub Technology | 1,000 times per minute vibrating pads |
| Cleans carpets | No | Yes |
| Cleans wood flooring | Yes, with special brushes | Yes, with special pads |
| Cleaning solutions | 1 cleaning solution - Hoover 2x Multi-Floor Plus Cleaning Solution | 4 different types of solutions: - an activating pre-treat carpet stain and odor remover - a low moisture no rinse carpet shampoo - a wood cleaner solution - a wood polisher |
| Weight | 14 lbs | 9 lbs |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years / 5 years |
| Price | $132.19 | $139.99 |
Advantages of Hoover Floormate Deluxe reported by customers
- The Hoover Floormate has provided an effective solution to our floor care concerns. After sweeping and quickly dusting the floor, I am capable of completing the cleaning exercise in little time, with very little physical effort and the ultimate end is a gleaming floor surface. It has often allowed me to apply as much of the cleaning solution as I desire in any area where I feel more cleaning is needed. The water suction power is just amazing.
- I bought this device after a steam mop that had served me for three years exceeded its shelf life and broke down. I was surprised at the amount of dirt that came up from my floor during the first cleaning exercise. The only set back is that the device was a little noisy but its performance is just amazing. In summary, it is one of the most versatile cleaning appliances produced by Hoover, an effective cleaning partner that every homeowner desires to have.
- Love it. It combines and handles the works of a mop and a broom at the same time
- Perfect for quick pickups. Saves me a lot of time.
- I own a 2 bedroom house. It is lightweight and convenient enough to store, even if there isn’t too much space.
- It is highly durable, coming with two years of limited warranty from the manufacturer. I love the quality of the materials used for its built.
- If you have bare floors, buy it, you won’t regret this choice.
- I clean my kitchen in under 5 minutes. The tanks are easy to reach, and the fact that they are separated is truly amazing.
Reported downsides of the appliance
- It is specially designed for sealed floors, and is not suitable for those that are not…
- … a bit loud and therefore inconvenient for someone who wishes to work in silence or alongside some favorite song…
Customer frequent questions
Does it vacuum?
Just to be sure we are on the same level here, this product is not a vacuum (it picks up dirt only by water) and it’s not a steamer either (the water is not heated).
Does it use a cleaning solution or water?
The Hoover Floormate can be used with water and a special hardfloor cleaning solution from Hoover, or you can even use vinegar and other homemade cleaning solutions. It is a matter of personal preference. However, the only chemical recommended for use with the appliance is the Hoover cleaning solution.
Can I use the appliance to sand my floor?
No. The Floormate is not designed to handle floor sanding. Its work is limited to floor cleaning.
Final words and VGM (quantified VacuumsGuide.com Mark)
In summary, the Hoover Floor Mate Deluxe is one of the most versatile cleaning appliances produced by Hoover, an effective cleaning partner that most homeowners desire to have. There is a good amount of reasons why I believe this floor cleaner should not be looked by, I hope I convinced you about these. Here’s the product VGM:
Now it’s your turn to write. What do you think? Would you buy a FloorMate Deluxe? Or do you own one already? If yes, what are your thoughts on the product? Do you like it or not? Both me and the reads of this blog are waiting for your feedback.
Jason Roberts
Latest posts by Jason Roberts (see all)
- Dyson v8 vs Dyson v7: Which One Is Best? - January 7, 2021
- Roomba 890 vs 960: Which One Is Best? - January 7, 2021
- Roborock S5 vs S6 – Which One is Best? - January 7, 2021
Related posts:
Hoover Floormate SpinScrub review – is older better? 
Hoover FH50150 Review – Power Scrub Deluxe Carpet Cleaner 
Shark Sonic Duo Carpet and Hard Floor Cleaner review: the good and the bad uncovered 
Hoover PowerDash Pet Carpet Cleaner – review and comparison 
Hoover ONEPWR Cordless system – FloorMate Jet, Blade+, Spotless GO, Utility Vac and Sweeper
gail says
I have owned several floor mates over my 11 years of cleaning homes. I would not clean if I couldn’t use my floormate. The gratification that you get when you empty the dirty tank is awesome. I can’t wait to get the newest deluxe model this week…..If I had to give up my floormate, I would give up my cleaning business.
Daniel Mailhe says
I live in Argentina and I want to know how can I buy one of this wonderful machines. Could you help me?. Thanks for doing it. Daniel
Jason Roberts says
Unfortunately, Hoover doesn’t sell units in many countries around the world. You could try to buy them online, from Amazon or Ebay sellers that ship in Argentina. Just be sure you contact them before purchasing the goods.
juanita courson says
I need a website to order parts, I need the rubber gasket that allows the water to be pulled into the cleaner.
Jason Roberts says
What’s the part number? Check out this site, maybe you’ll find what you’re looking for.
Cheryl says
I bought one last year and loved it. 5 months after I bought it the red button switch to turn it on just stopped working. It was like a circuit stopped working. It started for a second and then …nothing. I called company and because it was under warranty I had to bring it to a city 40 miles away where the only company CERTIFIED repair person could fix it. 8 weeks later I got it back and it worked for 8 months. I just pulled it out to use this week and pushed the power button and it started and immediately stopped, just like before. I do not want to lose it for another 8 weeks for something that seems like an electrical ‘glitch’. Any ideas? Is there a circuit breaker type of switch in this thing that would do this?
Jason Roberts says
Cheryl, I’m not really sure about this. The problem you had the first time might not be the same as the problem you are facing now. From what you’re describing, the unit auto-shuts off as it would to prevent further damage to itself. Did you inspect the rotating brushes, have you tried spinning them a little? Did you try to turn it on with no water in the tank? 8 weeks is definitely out of place. Talk with a company representative and ask for a free replacement during the duration of the repairs. 8 weeks is unacceptable!
joe says
Is the tank capacity 48oz. each or 48 oz altogether?
Jason Roberts says
Each tank holds 48oz, meaning the total water capacity is 96oz.
Catie says
Hi,
I tried out my new Deluxe floormate this afternoon and, while happy with the results, I have the following questions:
the machine dripped dirty water when I moved it (seemed to come from the back of the head somewhere);
Even in “dry” mode, there was still some water on the tiles.
Perhaps I’m doing something incorrectly?
Thank you, in advance, for your time and advice,
Catie
Jason Roberts says
This may happen if the tiles are uneven. Did you try the “Wash” mode?
Catie says
Good evening,
Yes, I first washed in the “wash” mode and then passed over the surfaces in the “dry” mode. While much of the water was removed in the “dry” mode, enough was left that I had to use a paper towel to dry the tiles so that I could walk on them.
Also, any views on the drops of dirty water issue, please?
With thanks
Jason Roberts says
Could be a faulty unit. Did you try it several times and ended with the same result?
Helen Foster says
I have had the same issues, I bought a floor mate and loved it. It worked for about six months and then it would not turn on.
I contacted Hoover , they sent me to a repair center. Three months later I got a new replacement .
After six months the same thing happened.
I’m not sure what to do now, I don’t want to go thru that again
Jason Roberts says
You’ll need to use anti scale water softener every time you fill the unit, to prevent deposits.
Gail says
The Turbine drive for the brushes failed while under warranty. The turbine was replaced and 6 months later the same thing happened, now outside the written warranty. Was told that even though unit failed less than 6 months after the warranty repair, the unit will not again be repaired under warranty. I have left a message at Hoover requesting a part number and source for the turbine, and they have not responded.
I don’t know if this problem is common, but because of the refusal to repair it again and because of the failure to respond to my requests, I could not recommend this unit to others.
We have been very satisfied with the cleaning capability of the Floor mate Deluxe, but the measure of any company is customer service which apparently is low on Hoovers priorities.
Emir Yildiz says
Could you tell me the difference between this and a steam mop like the Bissell Symphony from a cleaning point? Why would I use one over the other? One uses steam to clean, the other uses brushes to scrub.
You would think scrubbing brushes would do a much better deep clean, so I don’t see the point of a steam cleaning.
Thanks
Jason Roberts says
You’re right, if you’re looking to clean your hard floors, scrubbing is better. Yet steaming has its own perks as well. First of all, steaming ensures that bacteria is destroyed at a cellular level. The hot steam kills most germs and viruses, thus many people feel the urge to steam their tiles at least once a week. Secondly, steaming is much faster than scrubbing.
Trisha Rogers says
I am so tired of mopping the same area 10 times to keep it from streaking that I am seriously thinking of getting this product. It seems that applying the water and then sucking it up instead of smearing it around. Will this machinedo this for me?
Jason Roberts says
Yup, that is exactly its purpose.
Trisha Rogers says
Also, is there a better machine to get instead of the low end one that I will be happy with. What is anti scale water softener water. Is this some type of water softener a house uses or an additive that goes into the water?
Jason Roberts says
A water softener is an additive, the kind you may also use in your washing machine. It prevents limescale from building up inside the device.
Nancy-Sue Harder says
My experience with this model hasn’t been the greatest, but I will say that I have very dirty floors. I don’t clean them often enough and I have 3 males between the ages of 16 and 25, and another 50-something one. They love the outdoors and like to bring it in with them. I also have an indoor/outdoor big dog that hasn’t learned to wipe her paws on the mats, and 2 indoor cats (they are perfect-no problem with them). So, I will say the cleaner is put to the test in my home when it is pulled out of the closet.
My problem is with the “switches”. I understand the power scrub button, but what is the one on the inside of the handle? It isn’t labeled and I couldn’t find a purpose in the info supplied. Does the machine release water on it’s own, or is the button how I control the water flow? I pump it often, but it never seems to get the floor thoroughly moist, just streaks of water. I find it is also very difficult to pump it, or worse, hold in while I move the machine back and forth.
Am I just cleaning challenged? Should I just give up trying and start a retro-dirt floor design? After doing what I think I am supposed to do with the machine, I can go back with a white towel and it comes up tan/brown (dirty). Believe me, I am not a picky person, I just don’t know if I am doing something wrong. Can you help me?
Jason Roberts says
You can set the amount of water using the Dry/Wash switch on the side of the machine. Inside the handle you have the cleaning solution trigger (which releases more cleaning solution if pressed), and on the handle you have the Clean Boost Trigger. This might be awkward but according to Hoover, if you want to clean a tough stain, you must press both. After you finish with the stain, release the second trigger and move on. From my experience, when I tested the appliance, I’ve never used Boost trigger. This basically releases more solution. The handle should be grasped exactly like you would hold a tennis racquet. With the index finger you press the button inside the handle (which is the main button to be pressed). Occasionally, you can use the thumb to press the Boost trigger.
John says
I love this machine we have all tile floors and it does a great job it would be hard to live without it makes life a lot easier
Trish Lynch says
I do tend to burn mine out after about 6 months, but keep getting new ones either under warranty, or just buy outright. I have grouted tile floors throughout my house, We are a small horse farm and raise shelties, as well. The hair, sand and crud, as well as puppy mistakes and old dog shedding requires a daily wash, sometimes more. This machine is a god-send. Mopping just doesnt do it all and takes forever. I love my floormates!