The Hoover Smartwash model FH5200 carpet cleaner is a relatively cheap carpet cleaner, though there are bundled deals that cost a little more. This Hoover brand carpet cleaner isn’t advertised to pet owners, but it is suitable for cleaning up pet messes. In fact, a number of its features make it an excellent choice for pet owners. We’ll list the reasons why this carpet cleaner is a good choice for pet owners. Then we’ll share the weaknesses of this model. We’ll also provide a few observations that aren’t straightforward pros or cons but may be relevant to some potential buyers.
Pros of the Hoover Smartwash FH52000
Cons of the Hoover Smartwash Carpet Cleaner
Observations
There are several bundle deals you can buy that include bottles of Hoover brand cleaning solutions. This isn’t always the most economical choice. However, you receive small samples of their pet mess cleaning solutions when you buy just the vacuum cleaner.
You cannot adjust the liquid output or suction based on how dirty the carpets are. That’s disappointing given how smart the unit is supposed to be. For example, it is in wet and solution spray or wet mode when you push forward and in dry mode when you pull backward. If you want two wet passes, you have to push the vacuum over the mess, then turn around and do it again.
There are reports that the unit suddenly starts leaking, though that is rare. If the unit does this, it is after several months of heavy wear. A more common problem is the cap on the cleaning solution tank breaking. It is difficult to find this replacement part without going straight to the manufacturer.
Summary
The Hoover brand Smartwash carpet cleaner is a good choice for pet owners who want to have a quick working carpet cleaner that’s easy to sterilize. It is perfect for taking care of sticky, gooey pet messes that require a detailed cleaning of the carpet cleaner afterward. Its strong suction and wet/dry modes allow you get things as clean as possible as quickly as possible.
I ordered the Hoover Smartwash to clean my apt. Which has low carpeting. Does that mean I cannot use this machine? I read that I should not use it on my type of carpeting. Why would it ruin my carpet?
I’ve been using this particular Steam Cleaner, since it came out. I’ve successfully used it on high pile carpet, Berber, low ole, carpet squares, furniture, bed mattresses…
The rollers don’t work when it’s against the floor,but you can lean it back and it turns. I just paid it off October 2019. Hoover smartwash automatic upright pet cleaner. FH52002
Me too. Just happened it’s not mine it’s my landlord’s… great. Did you find a resolution?
It has a two small belts that drive the roller gears I don’t have a part no. yet.
Hoover FH 52000 does not have ANY suction. I cleaned everything I think possible problem. I cleaned rollers. Hose staircase connection trap door, cleaned both return bottle and cleaner bottle connections. what??? next??? This is the only thrid time used.
Honestly I thought it was a good one but you know what it’s got to be the biggest piece of crap I think I’ve ever had if you can’t replace the belt then the war he doesn’t cover the belt you can’t find a belt what good is the shampooer
Our machine is makeing a noise the rollers are not turning. We haven’t had it a year. Now it’s worthless. We paid 250.00 for it. I’ll never by another one.
I paid close to $300. Liked it better than any I have owned. Used it 4 times and there is a problem which I am relatively sure is a broken belt. But I can’t get into the machine, (even after removing all the screws on the bottom) to even look at the belt. And I cannot find a belt for this machine. So, I guess I’m buying a new one. But it sure will not be a Hoover.
Does a good job of keeping carpet clean. Easy to set up right out of the box. I like the water in one place soap in another. I’m struggling a bit to dry the carpet while using this, anyone else?
The Hoover FH52000 was great for the first year and a half we had it. Then the belt broke. Took it in for repair to the Hoover recommended business. The belt is not a replacement part. Contacted Hoover….they were more than apologetic and sent out a replacement cleaner. Yes, that’s right…they sent a brand new carpet cleaner and also sent a call tag to send back the old one.
Hopefully, Hoover has fixed the belt problem.
All in all, it was a painless experience.
Same. Owned it 1 week and the rollers quit turning. After alot of trouble managed to get into it far enough to find a broken belt which I can’t replace because they don’t sell them. I’ve only made 1 payment and have several left to make and its worthless. Big mistake buying this.
Purchased 3 months ago to replace a Hoover Power Scrub that ran for 8 years with no problems, then the dryer died. We’ve used this new system a total of about 7 hours over 3 months. Yesterday, it started leaking black drops prior to the rotating brush belt failing then the belt failed, revealing the horrific design of this supposedly “best” machine in the hoover line up. Hoover does not sell the replacement belt and even if they did, you have to take 14 screws out and disassemble the frame just to access the belt area. If you are an engineer (I am) and willing to source an aftermarket belt, you can void your warranty by replacing the belt and hoping it lasts a few months before breaking again. Otherwise you can drop it off at a Hoover repair shop 70 miles away and wait 4 months while they repair the unit, only to have to do it again over and over until your warranty runs out. Shame on Hoover for this very poor design. This is a great product rendered unusable by a simple belt that is too weak and impossible to easily change.
If you do decide to change out the belt, Amazon does sell an after market replacement. You have to remove the entire chassis by taking out 14 screws, then gently pry apart the housing on the left side to expose the drive gears. The drive gear assembly tilts up, then you have to gently pry the little tab up on the middle tensioner piece while simultaneously sliding it down. Then wrap the belt around the two end gears and under the tensioner, then slide the tensioner back up until it clicks back into place, tightening the belt. You must do this as you cannot simply wrap the belt around the gears and tensioner (the belt will appear to be too long).
I got the pack of two belts from amazon, the short one is labled as 144-3M and the long one is labled as htd 360-3M. A suitable replacement and maybe better then OEM for the short is Gates 144-3M-06 PowerGrip HTD Belt 9293-2005 and for the long belt is Gates 360-3M-06 PowerGrip HTD Belt 9293-2035 It is cheaper to google around use those parts numbers then what I paid for some unknown quality belt from china.
The belts break really quickly if the brushes get stuff hung up on them.
And no offense to the owner of this site, I don’t feel like copying and pasting, but there is a whole thread on the bestbuy site on how to replace the belt in the Q/A section.
Now the automatic motion sensor circuit is screwed up.. 😛