Steam Cleaner - is it worth getting one?

lil_me

Waiting for reports, need a steam cleaner myself and been looking all over for them, Rosebys had some on offer but not as powerful I don't think (half that price ish) but unsure if I need the extra power/capacity as it's only for beds, carpets etc.

peabrain_2

There is something not quite right about the figures for steam cleaners. They claim super heated steam, but that would be invisible, and very corrosive. Yet you see all the clouds coming out of the wand, which is only water vapour.

Any heater operating in a container venting to atmosphere wont be able to get the temperature above the boiling point of water. 100 deg C.

I have bought a steam cleaner, and really it is not a tool that does what it says on the tin IMO.
Detergent is just as effective, if not more so.

SALOPMAN

Must be honest I agree we bought one a few years ago and it dissapointed us, we found elbow grease and bleach much better!

moanymoany

I've just seen Aggie and Kim using a steam cleaner. I know some OS'ers have them so they must be good!

Which is the best one to get?

What can you use them for?

Are they easy to use?

I look forward with anticiption to your replies.

squeaky

I'm very pleased with mine. Cheap and cheerful though it is.

No more cleaning chemicals of any description need for most things, so it helps pay for itself over time - even for those of us who normally use vinegar and bicarb.

Not to mention that I emptied the last few odds and ends out of my freezer, wrapped them in bubble wrap and put them in the fridge, used the steam cleaner to defrost and de-ice, and got my things back in the freezer all in twenty minutes flat!

Nicki

I thought mine was a waste of time because the pad which goes on the end of the cleaning tool kept falling off. Then I had a brainwave and replaced it with an old sports sock, which fits much more tightly and actually stays on as you mop (and is very easily washed afterwards). It now only takes seconds to "mop" my very dirty kitchen floor. Can also use it (carefully) on laminate floors, ovens, cooker hobs (all of which I've tried with reasonable success) and apparently also on toilets and bathroom tiles (which I haven't).

Mine is an Earlex one, as this was recommended by other OSers on an earlier thread. Can't remember how much it cost but it wasn't very expensive.

rockie4

I've got a steam mop and I love it! Cleans my floors in minutes with no effort and no chemicals. I can't remember the make but it was on QVC for £60 and I got it for £52 with 4 extra cleaning pads from Amazon.

Angelina-M

I've just finished cleaning the fridge with my steam cleaner. An egg had broken and I didn't see it as the fridge was packed. Anyway it was welded on by the time I cleaned it. :rolleyes:

The fridge is now gleaming and it didn't take many minutes. I love my steam cleaner and in fact have just bought a new one with chemical injection for the jobs that steam alone cant do.

I love using it in the bathroom as it makes everything look like brand new.

It has to be one of my favourite cleaning toys. Mine is the Polti eco but I've seen cheaper models at the carboot sale going for around ten pounds.. worth looking out for one.

Austin_Allegro

Yes they're definitely worth it, I use mine to freshen up suits and coats which are a bit 'tired' but don't really need dry cleaning. What I've saved in dry cleaning bills alone paid for the steamer. Make sure you get one with a trigger control though, otherwise your house will end up like a steamroom!

vivw_2

I'd say no. I got one when everyone was going on about them on here and was really disappointed. Didn't do anything other cleaning methods did just as well. I've now got rid of it