A great little cleaner (Challenge Xtreme Wet and Dry)

Member Name: SamPerry

Product:	Challenge Xtreme Wet and Dry
Date:	01/10/08 (319 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Handy to use for little bits on the carpet

Disadvantages: Have to keep finger on the on button

I decided I wanted to purchase a mini hand held vacuum for two reasons, for vacuuming our cars out to save us saving to pay to take it to a garage forecourt and also for giving the carpet a mini vacuum through the week to save me having to get the large vacuum cleaner out mire than once a week.

I looked all over on the internet and finally found the Challenge xtreme wet and dry vacuum cleaner on the Argos website. To be honest I didn't really know what I was looking for in a vacuum cleaner and didn't want to pay too much money for one, so the thing that attracted me to this one was that it only cost £14.99 and had been reduced from £29.99, I therefore ordered it online and collected it later that afternoon.

The vacuum itself is very light weight and compact, it is black in colour apart from the nozzle, which is clear plastic. The vacuum is cordless and has a 14.4volt battery pack on it, this pack can be easily removed and then needs to be plugged into the adaptor that comes with the vacuum to charge the battery up, to remove the battery there is an orange switch at the end, you press this in and it then releases the battery. Before using for the first time you have to give the battery a full charge, they recommend 3-5 hours. When you plug the battery pack in a red light appears on it that advises you the battery is charging.

Once the battery is fully charged, you simply click it back onto the end of the vacuum and it is then ready to use. There is a handle on top of the vacuum and just in front of this handle is an orange on and off switch that you operate with your thumb whilst holding the vacuum. As soon as you press the switch up, the vacuum starts, you then have to leave your finger on the switch to keep it going, the minute you release the switch the vacuum stops. I think this would have been better with a proper on and off switch that stayed switch on, as the way it is now I find that my thumb aches after using the vacuum for a short time.

The vacuum obviously isnt as powerful as your main vacuum cleaner, however it does do a good job of picking up bits. I sometimes find that I have to remove the bit from the carpet and suck it up from my hand as the suction is sometimes not enough to pick up those stubborn little bits! The vacuum is a wet and dry vacuum, so you can also use it on a wet carpet.

As the end nozzle is clear you can see the bits inside it, you therefore know when it needs to be emptied. It is very simple to empty the cleaner; you simply click the end off and pour out the contents.

I have found this vacuum to be very handy and good value for money. I usually vacuum all the floors once a week with my large vacuum cleaner, so I have found it much easier to be able to quickly grab this vacuum and give the carpet a quick once over if it is looking messy.

Summary: A good value mini vacuum

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