So last time we worked with Karcher, we were outside blasting the path and getting all mucky in the process, and you know what? I’ve known Karcher to make pressure washers and garden stuff, but not really associated them too much with in-home gear like vacuum cleaners. Well, except that one I saw AGES ago. Years and years ago, in fact. But now, we’re inside the home, with their new FCV 3, which is a wet-dry vacuum mop, and Karcher has sent one through to check out. I’ve been using it for a little while now to clean my house, and I thought I’d share my thoughts.
If you’ve found yourself with a house like mine, where there’s wooden floors pretty much throughout, then the FCV 3 is great, as it keeps the floors nice and clean thanks to its mop and vac capabilities. The unit as a whole is very simple to use, and it looks really modern thanks to its white plastic shell. There are three modes, which can be cycled using the arrow buttons on top. One for a wet vac, one for a super wet vac called Advanced Power Mode, which is basically a mode that uses more water, and a vacuum-only mode, which is to vacuum carpets. Now, I will say that the wet vac mode should not be used on carpets at all. Or rugs. Or mats. Or anything else like that. So do make sure that you’re in the right mode before running it over anything fluffy. The amount of water actually left behind by this thing was also minimal, which was lovely to see vs using a mop and bucket. There was such little water left, I felt I could walk on the floor in just my socks almost instantly after I used it. When switching off the FCV 3, it does a 5-second or so fast power spin to get rid of any excess water to stop any kind of puddles being left on the floor which is a nice touch.
Putting it together was a breeze. It came in a few parts, being the main stick, the head of the vacuum where you can find the rotor, the water tank and the waste tank, which, yes, gets a little bit disgusting, so be warned. The charging base is crazy big compared to my last cordless vacuum, but it does double up as a place to run the auto clean feature, which essentially empties the entire water tank to give the whole machine a rinse through. It doesn’t need to be done every time you return the FCV3 to the dock, though.
Let’s talk about usage, because this thing is powerful, and I’m warning you now that if you let go of it, it can just run off on its own. The roller on the end is really powerful and can slightly pull you along, though it’s more of a sensation than an actual movement, and you’re not having to use much strength either. It’s lightweight and has a low centre of gravity, so you can pull it back in easily enough. However, I feel that because of this power, and the fact that the front, or head of the vacuum, is so wide, it makes it a bit clunky to manoeuvre in corners and around table legs. And of course, being the type of unit it is, it doesn’t come with any small accessories to make these areas of the home easier to reach.
But it’s not really designed for that, and I very much doubt that this thing can really be a home’s only vacuum cleaner without having some other backup. The FCV 3 feels like it’s been made for convenience and to save you time, especially if you live in busy households, or for heavy foot traffic areas, so you don’t have to get out a separate vacuum, mop and bucket each time you want to have a clean. I don’t think it’ll completely replace a proper mop and bucket job on the floors every once in a while either, but for a weekly clean, then it’s got you covered.
So there are a couple of things that I do need to mention, and first is the battery life, which is clocked at around 30 minutes, which I feel is a little low. You can, of course, return the unit to the dock so it receives a fresh charge after every use. Secondly, the water and waste tanks, I feel, are also a bit small. I couldn’t do my entire house without having to empty the waste tank, which was slightly frustrating. I know that it’s not really supposed to replace a traditional vacuum, and yes, while we have this now for quick once-overs, we do still have the Miele C3 bagged vacuum ready for a big clean or for larger pieces of debris that the FCV3 just cannot pick up.
Both tanks clip in place rather nicely, with the fresh water tank on top needing a push and circular motion to secure in place, while the front waste water tank is on a clip and just needs to be pushed into place, and pulled to release. There is a latch that needs pushing, too. And lastly, with cleaning. The roller brush in the front also needs a cleaning from time to time, even though the machine goes through an auto cleaning process, but that’s more for the internal bits. There are two latches on either side of the cover to remove the roller itself, and it’s very easy to do.
Right now, this thing can be found on Karcher’s website for £260, which I personally don’t think is too bad at all considering it’s essentially a two-in-one offering for a mop and vacuum cleaner. However, if your house is mostly carpeted, then I don’t think this will be for you. But if you have adopted wood in your homes, then by all means, this thing is going to save you TIME!
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