The Bissell 1785A CrossWave All-in-One Multi-Surface Cleaner is a corded vacuum cleaner and floor washer combined in one unit. The unit is well built and durable and it is suitable for cleaning various surfaces (hence the name) with multi-surface cleaning solution and multi-surface brush roll. Let’s discuss today the main tech specs and features of the Bissell 1785A CrossWave All-in-One Multi-Surface Cleaner and the best cleaning solutions and accessories it works best with.

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Bissell 1785A CrossWave All-in-One Multi-Surface Cleaner Review

The Bissell 1785A CrossWave All-in-One Multi-Surface Cleaner is great for cleaning all sealed hardwood floors, tiles, laminate, low-pile carpets, area rugs, and similar surfaces.

It can be used on the wall-to-wall carpet, but for the best results on the carpets only, perhaps you should consider the Bissell Revolution Deep Cleaner or the Bissell Powergroom Multicyclonic Bagless Canister Corded Vacuum – Model 1654, suitable for bare floors, carpets, low pile carpets, stairs, upholstery, and more.

Bissell 1785A CrossWave All-in-One Multi-Surface Cleaner Tech Specs and Features

  • The Bissell 1785A CrossWave All-in-One Multi-Surface Cleaner vacuums and washes floors at the same time using dual-action brush roll, which rotates at 3,000 RPM and the cleaning solution.
  • The unit is not noisy, but also not whisper quiet – just as any similar vacuum cleaner (we could not find exact value in dB).
  • The controls are on the handle and are very easy to use – with the simple touch of a button, one can easily switch from cleaning hard floors to cleaning area rugs.

Although the unit is easy and simple to use, it is highly recommended to check the manual and warranty conditions before first use. It is better to be safe than sorry 🙂 Also, we recommend you check our guide on vacuum cleaners’ general specifications to make sure you understand what suction power, airflow, and power mean – among others.

  • This unit is easy to assemble, just follow the manual to the letter. When the manual says, for example, the handle must ‘click’ when assembled, be sure that the handle is pushed all the way and that it ‘clicks’.
  • One of the very important features is that brush roll doesn’t start to rotate while the unit is in an upright position.
  • For brush roll to start, one must recline the body of the machine backward.
  • To stop the brush roll spinning, one needs to place the machine upright.
  • This feature prevents any damage to the floors when the unit is turned on, but not moved across the floors.

What Else Should You Know about the Bissell 1785A CrossWave All-in-One Multi-Surface Cleaner?

The Bissell 1875A has a two-tank system. It keeps water and/or cleaning solution and dirty water in separate tanks. This way, floors are always cleaned with clean water and formula. At the moment, there are three types of cleaning formula and brush rolls optimized for: multi-surface, area rugs, and wooden floors. Bissell 1875A can use warm water/solution, but there is no heater of any kind in the unit.

  • The clean water tank capacity is 28 oz. (~0.83 l), while dirt water tank capacity is 14.5 oz. (~0.43 l).
  • Tanks are transparent and one can easily see the number of liquids in both thanks.

When the dirt water tank is fully filled, the float in the dirt water tank shuts off the suction motor and the unit creates a high pitched sound indicating to the user that it is time to empty dirty water tank. However, an empty clean water tank sensor/indicator would be nice to have. One often forgets to check/see the level of the cleaning liquid and while the brush roll is wet, it leaves the wet trail behind, but the floor is not fully cleaned.

The Bissell 1785A cleans short and long pet and human hair very well, but be prepared to occasionally remove the hair from the brush rolls and perhaps from the inside of the dirty water tank. If pet hair is a problem in your home, we recommend you check out our guide on the best vacuum cleaners for pet hair.

Among them, if you are a fan of Bissell, the Bissell 1650A Pet Hair Eraser Vacuum is a model that stands out for its excellent tech specs and features.

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To help clean the floors thoroughly and in less time, the Bissell 1785A uses dual-action brush roll, which scrubs and picks up debris at the same time. This saves plenty of time when cleaning larger areas.

Note

Although the Bissell 1785A can be used just for vacuuming, as normal ‘dry’ vacuum cleaner, this unit is ‘overkill’ for tasks like that. Also, it lacks an additional hose, wand, and various cleaning attachments, and the suction and air filtration of ‘vacuum-only’ models is often better, at least in this price range. If you do need a good upright vacuum cleaner, just for vacuuming, there are cheaper and better upright vacuums on the market. In that case, please check our guides on how to pick a vacuum for your needs.

Why Should You Buy the Bissell 1785A CrossWave All-in-One Multi-Surface Cleaner?

When cleaning/washing wooden floors, it is very important that such floors have a proper finish. It there are cracks in the finish/sealant, moisture can penetrate the wood and cause it to deform and rot.

Fortunately, the user can dose the amount of cleaning water/solution and in order to help the floor dry faster, the last pass or passes of the cleaner should be without dispensing cleaning solution – this can help in removing any excess water.

Floor drying times depend on floor type (tiles, wood floors, marble, low-pile carpets, area rugs, etc.), amount of used solution, room temperature, airflow, and similar. In most cases, hard floors are dry after a few minutes, while area rugs and carpets, especially very dirty ones cleaned during winter, can require few hours to dry fully.

Note that when cleaning dried stains or even mud, it is good practice to pre-treat them first and only then to clean/wash them.

bissell 1785a storedThe Bissell 1785A is designed as an upright vacuum cleaner/washer and it can stand uprights on its own, preferably in its parking tray with brush holder.

Although the unit is rather light (11 pounds, ~5 kg), kids and pets should not be allowed to play around it, since it can fall down when it is pushed with sufficient force.

Thanks to the swivel steering and pair of wheels, it can maneuver easily across the hard floors. Due to the low-profile cleaning head, it can reach under the furniture easily. However, it can be a little bit harder for elderly people to push it across the area rugs and carpets.

  • The unit comes with 25 feet (~7.6 m) long power cord, which is enough for most homes and apartments.
  • If you need a longer power cord, use an extension cord, just have in mind that the unit uses 4.4 Amps when operating.

Unfortunately, there is no automatic cord rewind system – the cord is wrapped manually. Call me spoiled, but personally, I would prefer 30 feet power cord and automatic rewind system 🙂

  • The Bissell 1785A comes with a 2-Year limited warranty.

Bissell 1785A Cleaning Solutions and Brush Rolls

By default, the Bissell 1785A comes with a multisurface brush roll and multisurface cleaning solution. If required, brush rolls and cleaning solutions for other surfaces can be ordered, too. Cleaning solutions have the scent of their own to freshen the cleaned area, but the scents are mild.

ProductDescription
bissell 1785a area rug

Bissell 1930 CrossWave Area Rug Cleaning Formula

Area rug cleaning formula helps remove various dirt and stains from area rugs and low pile carpets.

It freshens area rugs with a fresh linen scent, increasing the feeling of cleanliness.

It is safe to use on area rugs and low pile carpet and it is safe for pets and humans.

For more reviews and recommendations, check the Bissell 1930 CrossWave Area Rug Cleaning Formula, 32 oz online!

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 bissell 1785a multi surface

Bissell 1789 CrossWave Multi-Surface Cleaning Formula

Multi-surface cleaning formula is great for cleaning all sealed hardwood floors, tiles, laminate, low-pile carpets, area rugs, and similar surfaces.

It freshens cleaned floors with the fresh scent of a spring breeze.

It is safe for use on various floors and it is safe for pets and family.

A multi-surface cleaning formula usually comes with the Bissell 1785A unit and is excellent for cleaning various surfaces. However, if you have more carpets or area rugs or hardwood floors, choose cleaning solutions optimized for such surfaces.

For more reviews and recommendations, check Bissell 1789 CrossWave Multi-Surface Cleaning Formula, 32 oz online!

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 bissell 1785a wood floor

Bissell 1929 Cross Wave Wood Floor Cleaning Formula

Wood floor cleaning formula helps clean hardwood and sensitive wooden floors. It restores and rejuvenates wood floors’ shine.

Note however that it doesn’t seal cracks in the wood finish – that is NOT its intended purpose. Any cleaning of such floors with water can lead to even more cracks, floor buckling, rot, and similar.

Wood floor cleaning formula freshens floors with a fresh lemon scent and makes the area feel even cleaner.

It is safe to use for pets and family.

For more reviews and recommendations, check Bissell 1929 Cross Wave Wood Floor Cleaning Formula, 32 oz online!

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The brush rolls are very easy to clean and replace, for optimum cleaning of various surfaces. After cleaning the brush rolls and filters, they should be left to dry in the air. Since such drying can take a day, perhaps it is good practice to have a spare air filter and brush rolls.

Brush rolls are designed well regarding the quality of cleaning, however, Bissell 1785A as the unit leaves some 3/4″ (~2 cm) of the uncleaned surface around the edges. Not much, but can be important in the long run.

Compatible Brush Rolls

One cannot discuss vacuum cleaners without discussing brush rolls, so let’s see a few models that we are sure will interest you!

Bissell 1934 Cross Wave Area Rug Brush Roll

bissell 1785a area rug brush rollBissell 1934 Cross Wave Area Rug Brush Roll is optimized for cleaning of the low pile carpets and area rugs. Its bristles gently scrub the surface for deeper and more thorough cleaning.

It is highly recommended to be used with Bissell 1789 CrossWave Multi-Surface Cleaning Formula or, if possible with Bissell 1930 CrossWave Area Rug Cleaning Formula.

After cleaning, be sure to let your carpets dry thoroughly. Also, if sensitive wooden floors are beneath such carpets and area rugs, be extra careful with dosing of the cleaning solution.

Bissell 1868 CrossWave Multi-Surface Brush Roll

bissell 1785a multi surface brush rollThe Bissell 1868 CrossWave Multi-Surface Brush Roll uses microfiber to mop the floors, while bristles scrub the floors and pick up various debris.

It is suitable for cleaning of the various surfaces, hence the name. Multi-Surface Brush Roll comes with Bissell 1785A by default.

Bissell 1868 CrossWave Multi-Surface Brush Roll is recommended for homes and apartments where various surfaces are present next to each other and must be cleaned quickly.

When compared with Area Rug Brush Roll or Wood Floor Brush Roll, one can see that Multi-Surface Brush Roll is a combination of the two previously mentioned brush rolls.

Bissell 1926 CrossWave Wood Floor Brush Roll

bissell 1785a wood floor brush rollBissell 1926 CrossWave Wood Floor Brush Roll is optimized for hardwood and similar floors. It uses soft and gentle microfibers for washing sealed hardwood floors while picking up various dirt and debris at the same time.

It achieves the best results when combined with Bissell 1929 Cross Wave Wood Floor Cleaning Formula.

Again, be very careful when cleaning wooden floors – if moisture penetrates the wood, it can buckle, change the form, and even rot.


Bissell 1785A CrossWave All-in-One Multi-Surface Cleaner: Conclusion

The Bissell 1785A CrossWave All-in-One Multi-Surface Cleaner is an excellent vacuum/washer combo, suitable for cleaning various surfaces at home or apartment.

It does have certain shortcomings, but when one knows about them, they can be avoided, or at least minimized.

Do you use or ever used this vacuum cleaner? What are your thoughts on it?