For decades, deep cleaning your carpets felt like solving a puzzle. You had to measure the exact ratio of soap to water (or risk turning your living room into a foam party) and constantly squeeze a trigger while guessing if you were soaking the floor too much. It was tedious, confusing, and tiring.

The Hoover SmartWash+ Automatic Carpet Cleaner (FH52000) was built to eliminate that confusion entirely. It claims to be as easy to use as a vacuum cleaner. There is no trigger to hold, no mixing to do, and no guessing involved. You just push it forward to wash and pull it back to dry.

But does this “automatic” approach actually clean deep-set stains, or is it just a gimmick? In this comprehensive review, we test the FlexForce PowerBrushes, the HeatForce drying system, and the Auto-Mix technology to see if this is truly the smartest way to clean carpets in 2026.

1. What is the Hoover SmartWash+?

The Hoover SmartWash+ is a full-sized upright carpet cleaner that focuses on automation. It removes the two biggest user errors in carpet cleaning: oversaturation (soaking the carpet) and incorrect solution mixing. It features separate tanks for water and solution, which the machine mixes automatically as you clean.

Unlike portable units like the Bissell Little Green, this is a whole-home solution designed to tackle high-traffic areas, hallways, and bedrooms with minimal physical effort from the user.

2. How the “Automatic” Technology Works

Triggerless Design

This is the game-changer. Most cleaners require you to squeeze a trigger to spray water. The SmartWash+ has motion sensors in the handle. Push forward, and it automatically dispenses water and solution while scrubbing. Pull back, and it stops spraying to focus entirely on suction and drying. This mimics the natural motion of vacuuming, making the learning curve almost non-existent.

Auto-Mix Technology

Say goodbye to measuring cups. You fill the Clean Water Tank with hot tap water and the Solution Tank with Hoover formula. The machine automatically mixes them at the perfect ratio during the wash stroke. This prevents chemical waste and ensures you aren’t leaving sticky soap residue on your floors.

Dry Only Mode

If you want to extract extra water to speed up drying, you can press the “Dry Only” button. This disables the auto-dispense feature, allowing you to make as many dry passes as you want (both forward and backward) to suck up moisture.

3. Cleaning Performance & Drying Time

FlexForce PowerBrushes

Instead of standard bristles that can mat down carpet, Hoover uses “FlexForce” brushes. These are longer, flexible bristles designed to gently agitate carpet fibers deep down to release trapped dirt without damaging the texture. In tests, they are particularly effective at pulling up pet hair and embedded dust.

HeatForce™ Drying

The nozzle is designed to channel heat from the motor directly onto the carpet. While it isn’t a heater (it won’t make the water hot), this warm air exhaust helps speed up evaporation. Combined with the strong suction on the pullback stroke, carpets typically dry in under 1 hour in a well-ventilated room.

4. Hoover SmartWash+ vs. Bissell ProHeat 2X

The main competitor is the Bissell ProHeat 2X Revolution. Here is how they stack up:

• Ease of Use: Hoover wins easily. The triggerless design is foolproof.
• Control: Bissell wins if you like manual control (CleanShot pretreater, Max/Express modes).
• Maintenance: Hoover is easier to clean. The nozzle pops off in one piece, and the brushes are easily accessible.
• Versatility: Both have hoses for upholstery, but Hoover’s automatic mixing is more convenient for quick jobs.

5. Technical Specifications

6. Pros & Cons

7. Buyer’s Guide: Who Needs This?

The Hoover SmartWash+ is the perfect choice for:

• Busy Parents: Who don’t have time to read instruction manuals or measure soap ratios.
• Older Adults: The triggerless design reduces hand fatigue significantly during long cleaning sessions.
• Pet Owners: The 2-in-1 antimicrobial tool is excellent for cleaning upholstery without retaining odors.

If you prefer manual control over every aspect of cleaning, look at the McCulloch Steam Cleaner. But for “set it and forget it” carpet washing, Hoover is king.

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use this on hard floors?

No, this model is strictly for carpets and upholstery. The brushes are too aggressive for wood. Hoover sells a separate “hard floor squeegee” attachment for some models, but check compatibility first.

Does it heat the water?

No, “HeatForce” refers to hot air applied to the carpet to aid drying. It does not heat the water inside the tank. Always fill it with hot tap water.

Is the solution tank removable?

Yes. If you don’t use all the cleaning solution, you can remove the small tank and store it for later, or pour it back into the bottle. This saves money on wasted formula.

How do I clean the stairs?

Connect the included 8-foot hose to the accessory port. The SmartWash+ automatically detects the hose connection and switches suction to the hand tool.