Steam Cleaner - is it worth getting one?

LouLou

The reviewcentre comments about Polti are quite alarming! (Particularly the ones about their customer service when things go wrong).

If I was still looking, it'd certainly put me off too. Though the internet can be difficult when trying to gauge the true picture. People tend to complain rather than rave online!

I wonder what this one is like, taxsaver: http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/8570329/Trail/searchtext%3ESTEAM+CLEANER.htm (no reviews though, and it only does floors!) :think:

PS: One review I'm reading says to do laminate floors on low steam. The Karcher cleaner I have has adjustable steam, so I'll be conservative with it.

taxsaver

Thanks LouLou. I'm really wanting one that does lots of different things so that it can be used for windows, walls, getting grease off in the kitchen, mildew in bathrooms etc. Although we have a steam generator iron even the iron attachment could be useful for the future. How do you find the Karcher, as that has an iron attachment I think and I've been very happy with the Karcher pressure washer that I have for outside.

LouLou

The one I've got is the SC1020, the SC1030 is the one with the iron attachment (seems to be the same otherwise). Only bought it because it was so cheap! and read the reviews on my Android phone while I was in the store..technology is great sometimes.

Fancied a steam cleaner for years but didn't want to spend a lot of money, in case it's one of my impulse buys.

Haven't used it, but my brain is on night-shift bodyclock, and I'll be trying it shortly..just hope it's not noisy or I'll have to abandon my plans!

LouLou

Spent a while in the kitchen earlier with the Karcher, armed with cloths and kitchen towel to wipe as I go.

The Karcher has full steam/low steam/no steam settings, a blast button (you can press it lightly or firmly which varies the intensity of steam), and a variety of tools.

Maybe the novelty will wear off, but the steam nozzle is great, and you can get in those crevices where gunk collects. There was quite a greasy stain on the cooker hob but it didn't completely blast it, but it was easily wiped with a little Flash. Apart from that, it was steam all the way.

Steam mopped the laminate and tried low steam, it did fine and would be OK for maintenance but stubborn spills are better on full steam. I quickly swiped it over on full and think my floors will be fine.

Stating the obvious perhaps but it makes doing floors quicker. Usually it's brush floor, then drag bucket everywhere and wring out mop every few minutes, wait for floor to dry, then run a microfibre cloth attached to a swiffer. Takes ages.

Was stopping and starting so I was on the go for about 2 hours..I'm no domestic goddess but it was great to get into those places ordinary cleaning can't reach.

Once the steam was done I slowly unscrewed the safety cap and let the steam escape. I assume I can refill right away. The heat-up time is about 8 minutes, but it gives me an excuse for a cup of tea!

What is wonderful is that surfaces and floors aren't wet, that slows me down..waiting for things to dry.

Going to zap the bin tomorrow which is looking grotty, and I hate doing it "manually". Steam should make it easier. Fridge too, another job I've been putting off.

Wear a t-shirt while you're using it, I got very hot and bothered!

Pretty impressed!

taxsaver

Cool, sounds good..... keep me posted on progress!

I think you're mad doing cleaning in the early hours of the morning though! :eek:

Contessa

I'm thinking of buying a steam cleaner (as I'm trying to spruce my house up prior to selling).
So, specific questions for you experts!
1) Has anyone used the Eco Master Steam Cleaner (which was advertised on a shopping channel)?
2) Has anyone bought from TV ad?(think it was PitchTV) -specifically wondering about guarantees, consumer rights.

My only experience of steam cleaners was with what was basically a wallpaper steamer from BandQ-it came with attachments for other cleaning jobs but using it as a handheld steamer was useless-hardly any steam just hot water coming out.

Thanks for your advice.

jammy_dodger

i have just taken the plunge after much deliberation and ordered the polti950 shall report back when it arrives, thanks for all the good advice here

LouLou

Just a FYI, Lidl are doing their Silvercrest Steam Cleaner from the 13th (Monday). It looks identical to the Karcher SC1020; even down to the floor tool and other attachments and specifications..wonder if it's a rebadged one? http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/lidl_uk/hs.xsl/index_21495.htm

HappyIdiotTalk

LouLou wrote: »

Just a FYI, Lidl are doing their Silvercrest Steam Cleaner from the 13th (Monday). It looks identical to the Karcher SC1020; even down to the floor tool and other attachments and specifications..wonder if it's a rebadged one? http://www.lidl.co.uk/cps/rde/xchg/lidl_uk/hs.xsl/index_21495.htm

That does look remarkably like the Karcher. Looks like they've just changed the lid.

silly_moo

I hope someone here can help me. I know absolutely nothing about steam cleaners and to be honest never even heard about them until yesterday when I stumbled upon this thread.

My understanding is that they spray steam to loosen dirt and then you need to wipe this dirt with a cloth. How does this work on carpets? Would I need to wipe my carpets with a cloth? And can you tell me how they could help clean the bathroom? Are they really so much better than water, vinegar and a sponge?