Steam Cleaner - is it worth getting one?

Skintmama

I have been loaned a steam cleaner whilst its owner is away. I would really like to use it to tackle some spring-cleaning jobs.

Would it be safe to use it on my upholstered sofa and woollen carpet and how would I do it? Both have been cleaned previously with the hireable type of carpet cleaners so the colours seem fast.

Not sure whether I should be using any detergent either.

Any other things I could use it to clean?

Thanks in advance

Lazy_Ike

Skintmama wrote:

I have been loaned a steam cleaner whilst its owner is away. I would really like to use it to tackle some spring-cleaning jobs.
Would it be safe to use it on my upholstered sofa and woollen carpet and how would I do it? Both have been cleaned previously with the hireable type of carpet cleaners so the colours seem fast.
Not sure whether I should be using any detergent either.
Any other things I could use it to clean?

Thanks in advance

My machine has a carpet cleaning and floor cleaning attachment. Also has a squeegee type attachment. I use my steam cleaner on furniture and the carpets. I have a woollen carpet, and no problems so far, but be careful with wool.
The following get steamed cleaned: Kitchen and bathroom floor, windows, shower cabinet, tiles, full and spot cleaning of carpets/furniture, Inside and outside of Stove/oven, micro, fridges. Great for defrosting the freezer, Car seats.
When spot cleaning carpets etc. steam spot with nozzle fitting, and dab with kitchen roll to lift off stain/mud etc. Good for trodden in dirt.
DO NOT add any detergent into the pressure vessel, use water only.

allie226

Would you mind me asking which steam cleaner you've got - I've been thinking about getting one, and a recommendation would be great!

Thanks very much!

beverleyhills

Skintmama

I have a Polti Vaporetto. The recommendation for cleaning leather, wool, dralon, velvet and other pile fabrics is to consult the manufacturers instructions! Use the handgun and soft cloth at a safe distance from the fabric and do a test piece. I don't have upholstery in any of these fabrics.

It's fine on my 80%wool carpet. The machine has a control to adjust the steam for windows and ceramic tiles. I've also used it on the bathroom ceiling.

I live in a hard water area and put in one ampule of Kalstop FP 2003 every fourth time I fill the tank. I'm sure that the owner would have given you one if you needed it.

Enjoy your cleaning. bh

Pink.

There are some threads on the In My Home and I wanna boards that might help:

Steam Cleaners??

Steam CLeaner

Steam Cleaner.....

Steam Cleaner that actually works!

I would like a Steam Cleaner (advice please!)

Pink

Queenie

My steam cleaner was an absolute God send when it come to defrosting an embarassingly iced up freezer It also gives the user a nice facial sauna at the same time

Mine states that you should NOT add anything to the water.

Bought mine el cheapo from Argos a couple of years ago and only really got to grips with it's potential in recent months.

You can clean your windows with it, but NOT if the temperature is 5C or below ... I'm a coward and only use it when the temp is 10C or above (can't afford a costly mistake on that front).

It's also rather good at removing artex off ceilings when you don't expect/want it to - likewise with bathsealant

Skintmama

Thank you for all the replies and advice on this :A

I have been going around the house amidst billowing clouds of steam this afternoon

Sofa did not respond much to steaming and rubbing with an old clean nappy, altho' the nappy did get dirty. Likewise the carpet, so I think I might need to resort to a sudsier option. Moral here is probably to clean more often

The steamer made a wonderful job of my slate hall floor though, I reckon I could eat my dinner off it now. It lifted out the ingrained mud that had not responded to quick mopping. Also, the kitchen floor which is vinyl strips, came up nice and fresh with a quick go over. I was a bit worried it might lift them if I lingered anywhere!

Tomorrow I plan to tackle the bathrooms, they are fairly clean but since I have the machine........!! I'll be keeping clear of the sealant Queenie. I also decided it was much too cold to risk doing the windows. Now they really do need cleaning (sigh).

The instruction booklet for this "Karcher" was not very helpful so really neded the help. Thanks again!

Queenie

Wow, you have been busy! :T Well done.

Don't fret about the windows, this time of year any rain will soon mucky them again and you'll feel like you're working backwards. But, once the Spring weather arrives - woohoo - you'll notice a huge difference in your panes

gravitytolls

Are they any good on othe floor surfaces?

I've seen the ads proclaiming wooden laminate flooring, but is it?
I have some laminate, but mostly sealed wood.

Pink.

gravitytolls wrote:

Are they any good on othe floor surfaces?

I've seen the ads proclaiming wooden laminate flooring, but is it?
I have some laminate, but mostly sealed wood.

gravitytolls, they are brilliant on any surface. I have used them on glass, wood, plastic, ceramic etc and they work everywhere without any scratches.

Pink

Lazy_Ike

allie226 wrote:

Would you mind me asking which steam cleaner you've got - I've been thinking about getting one, and a recommendation would be great!

Thanks very much!

Sorry for the delay. I have a Steam Shark, the old model which I was advised was the lowest cost steamer with a stainless steel pressure vessel, rather than plastic etc. I have seen some criticism of it, but it is now available as "next generation". I have been very pleased with mine. There again I did get it at rock bottom price on Ebay. There was an (undeclared) fault with the trigger section, which I think is the reason it was on sale. This turned out to be a manufactering fault and Steam Shark replaced it Free of Charge, even though I was not the original purchaser. Comes with all the basic tools required.