Steam Cleaner - is it worth getting one?

hannahO_2

I am thinking of getting one with iron attachment, stainless steel tank but I have a couple of things I'm worried about.

So far I only hoovered my mattress and was thinking of getting some kind of UV sanitization hoover robot thing but I think this steam cleaner might just do it but I'm worried that rusts might damange the mattress. Will it be OK?

Also, due to the recent laminate flooring work, my walls are covered with find saw dusts and I need to sugar wash them :eek: before I paint them but I don't think I have my own steam to be able to clean all those walls by hand. Can I use steam cleaner after hoovering my wall?

Minihauk

I don't think it is a very good idea to steam clean the walls! The heat/steam would make the paint or paper come off and you would have to prep the walls again before you could decorate with either paint or wallpaper. Vacuum it or a stiff brush would probably get rid of the loose stuff.

hannahO_2

Thanks Minihauk. The walls will be painted again so as long as the plaster doesn't start breakdown, I don't mind paint coming off. It is handy to know that I'll be able to remove old bits of wallpaper from the wall though.

Anyone steam clean mattress on a regular basis (without damage)?

I can't wait to start ironing my clothes with the steamer as my iron sort of spits out a warm steam only and hard time getting rid of creases.

LouLou

Don't think it's worth starting my own thread for this, so I'll ask here.

I bought a Karcher SC1020 from Tesco St Rollox, Glasgow at the weekend (£32! around £100 elsewhere, worth keeping an eye out for, it was marked as £40 on the shelf). http://www.amazon.co.uk/K%C3%A4rcher-15122130-SC1020-Steam-Cleaner/dp/B004ISZDQG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1305518105&sr=8-1 (so you can see what it looks like). Bought a 5 pack of Tesco Value microfibre cloths too, when I need to change the floor tool, and to clean up on my merry way. Reviews: http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B003Q8V64W/ref=sr_1_cc_1_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1&qid=1305920792&sr=1-1-catcorr

I'm going to blast all over when I get the chance. Windows, fridge, dishwasher, rug, sofa, mattress, etc..

My question is, is it REALLY safe for laminate flooring? I have unsealed Tarkett 7mm thick laminate but I thought you could only get water near sealed laminate in bathrooms.

Can anyone list where NOT to use a steam cleaner? Off the top of my head so far the no-nos I've read are round an oven seal and melamine kitchen units (according to one review). Paranoid about the heat doing some damage!

Thank you!

LouLou

Re laminate floors: The answer seems to be "maybe" http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=10307541&postcount=69 Does anyone use it on theirs, long-term with no problems?

What I normally do is use a well-wrung out mop and laminate cleaner, Flash or bleach.

EmptyPurse

I recently moved into a new flat that has laminate floors everywhere. Vacuuming and mopping seems to take forever now

I'm therefore thinking about getting a steam cleaner to tackle the dirt, but I'd love to get some OS views on whether they're actually worthwhile. Will I end up with lovely sparkly floors, or is there a better way of cutting down on the work without ending up with dirty floors? Are there any brands that I should definitely consider/avoid? Can I clean anything else with a steam cleaner?

Any thoughts / ideas / comments gratefully received!

paidinchickens

I have a polti that I use all the time! i bought it second hand off ebay quite cheap but I think the prices have gone through the roof even for second hand.
The good thing is you don't have to use any cleaning products and it can get into all the grotty places you can't normally reach. However there is an initial outlay and the electricity to consider.

Gettingtherequickly

paidinchickens wrote: »

I have a polti that I use all the time!

Agree wholeheartedly, best investment I have made and it is so easy to sail through the work:j

seafarers_wife

im another one with a polit and its AMAZING, i can use it for cleaning the floors, cleaning the entire bathroom, the oven, the kitchen, my wheelie bins when they get manky and loads of other things.

if you can afford one, go for it as i use mine every single day and love the fact that with the floors they are clean and im not using a mop thats dirty to clean the floor.

patchwork_cat

Are steam cleaners OK on unsealed laminate floors?