Magic Zapper (1001 Mousse Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner)

Member Name: cyberem78

Product:	1001 Mousse Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner
Date:	03/02/09 (192 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy solution to cleaning carpet stains.

Disadvantages: Aroma isoverpowering and like chemicals.

I live in a house where the carpets are bothered by a lot of activity, not only by humans but by several assorted pets! As well as mud marks left by wet shoes and paws my carpets are also often caught up with sticky food residue dropped by inattentive kids which has been trampled underfoot. I'd used liquid carpet cleaners as a quick fix solution - the kind you add to water and have to froth up before applying the foam to the stain. It was always a little time consuming and messy though and I always managed to get the carpet much too wet.

When I saw this 1001 Mousse advertised I was eager to try it. It seemed to offer a much easier way to clean small stains on carpets. The product was a quick dry mousse which meant no sloppy concoctions of cleaning fluid and there was even a hard bristle brush attached to the cannister which meant no need for extra dish cloths.

The 1001 Mousse is available to buy at most supermarkets with mine costing close to the £5 mark at Asda. It comes in a 300ml size sturdy metal can. It has a tall lid and a angled bristle brush head attached to the can. The brush is made of thin, hard but flexible strands of plastic of various lengths and looks a little like a porcupine skin. It is shaped like a teardrop and is approximately 3 inches by 2 inches in size. At the back of the brush head there is a large ridged flap style button. When pressed it ejects the foam from the dispnser hole which is directly below the slanted brush head.

The directions for use printed on the can deal with how to handle liquid and dry stains as well as solid residues. Basic instructions state that you should shake can before use, hold 6-12 inches from the stain and push the button. Massage the foam into the stain from the outside to the centre. Vacuum area when dry.

I have used the 1001 mousse on all types of stains and I must say that there is little the mousse can't tackle. On dry and powdery stains like mud or powder make-up it does most well. On fresh liquid stains it is also very effective and there is never any marks left behind after use. On sticky marks I often find that I need to repeat the process but that eventually the hard brush helps to remove all traces of the residue. On very old stains this mousse does quite well, improving the overall cleanliness of the area but has not always totally erased stubborn stains. Overall though, I would say that most stains or spills that I apply this to are removed and the area is left looking clean and bright.

I find the product easy to use. The button needs very little pressure before the mousse is ejected. I have occaisonally had the whole plastic brush end snap away from the can and in this case it is very difficult to re-attach so that the dispenser holes are aligned. I also find that over time the plastic hairs on the brush tend to become warped and slightly bent but this does not adversely affect it's usefulness.

The mousse is very thick and creamy in consistency. It has a very sharp smell that is similar to other products in the 1001 carpet cleaner range. The fragrance can actually be overpowering and does catch my throat if I get too close. It has an aroma of household cleaning products, not particularly pleasant but very fresh and chemical heavy. The mousse is easily brushed into the carpet and turns into a fluffy white paste. It absorbs rapidly leaving a slightly damp area.

The brush head should be rinsed after each use. I do find that due to excess debris and loose carpet fibres that the brush can become clogged up with hairs and grit which needs to be picked out by hand.

This is overall an excellent product. I often use it after vacuuming like a magic zapper to brush away any little marks left behind and it cleans up the room in an instant, with little waiting time before the treated area is dry. A must have for homes with pets, kids or a lot of mess!

Summary: A fantastic carpet cleaning product.