Dear lord...how does anyone choose a steam cleaner?? I'm going dizzy. Think I need a 2in1

[ZooTimeIsSheAndYouTime]

I think I want a 2in1. Primarily want it to clean the bathroom, kitchen tiles, sinks etc. Would like it to clean the floor but I'm wary about this as I'm not sure whether my floors are sealed. But it's bathrooms/sinks, the occasional carpet/sofa spill, car interior etc that I want it for. Going by reviews and previous threads its mind blowing. Steam cleaners seem to polarise people; reviews are often equally split between 'this thing is brilliant/crap' so I end up talking myself in and back out again Price would be up to around £100 ish but preferably less. Thanks if you can suggest anything! Latest ones I've considered are Shark and Karcher. (btw return key not working on my pc, hence lack of paragraphs..sorry!)

I have a big Polti steamer for carpets which is great but not for daily use. I've tried two daily steamers and both have gone back as what they don't tell you is that you need to clean first THEN steam, which I'm not interested in.

This is the major flaw in steamers that I don't really understand. Surely they should suck up the dirt too, otherwise it's just pushing it about and then you still have to clean up as usual. Or if you have to clean first then what's the point? See there I go talking myself out if it again

Honestly, don't bother,I think some people like gadgets and also like making work for themselves just clean up spills and use a good mop!

I think that's probably good advice. I've fallen into the trap of wanting to want one. I have my carpets cleaned a couple of times a year anyway and the chap that does them says he'll always pop back if we have any pillage mishaps, so I guess I probably don't need one if they're bascally no better than a cloth/mop and spray cleaner.

Imo people buy into thinking the gadget will do the work for them, it won't, you just need to do it and get over the fact house work will never be exciting or fun

As you get your carpets streamed regularly perhaps a more expensive robust stranger would be a good investment and do it yourselves?

Disagree with using mops, they are often filthy! I have an X5 and it cleans and steams-I love it.

I have an e mop which has a removable pad which gets bunged in the wash after every use. I have a spare one too.

With the x5 I bought loads of pads and make the cleaners use one per room. I know I sound loaded/posh/snobby saying "cleaners" but they are quite cheap and I don't spend money on alcohol or cigarettes so that's my luxury. Anyway, the x5 is v good and will clean anything.

Do your cleaners actually like it though?

No need to apologise for having a cleaner,I think everyone should have one free on the nhs

Amen to a cleaner on the nhs - good for you Betty. And thanks for your thoughts too. I'm still dithering. This could go on for some time knowing me. Procrastinating about cleaning is a speciality of mine

If you get a Shark , get it from Argos then if you don't like it they just take it back. I do this with all electrical appliances that I dither about I did it with the Vax steamer, went straight back after one use!

Cheers VRH

My cleaners seem to like it, I have to use distilled water though otherwise it gets limescaled.

You have to consider how easy/light/flexible these things are. The x5 is easy to use and it will clean everything, from tiles to carpets to sinks to windows etc etc

I have the bissel 2 in 1 and love it. I find it much quicker to go round with a steamer then wipe over with a microfiber cloth. For windows and tiles I couple it with the karcher window vac, steam, vac and you are clean, dry and streak free with no effort at all. I don't know if you can use it on carpet but I use it on sofas and mattresses etc

Steam mop gets my floors much cleaner than a regular mop - they are gleaming! Also used to remove stubborn stains, previously immovable stickers on glass doors, and steam my curtains in the lounge regularly which has brought them up luffly.

If you decide to get one, definitely a 2in1 with lots of gadgets. I'd look them up on Amazon and read all the reviews. Karcher comes out well, I think.

I love my X5 yes you do have to hoover or brush first but you do that with an ordinary mop too
I clean bloody everything with mine

Many thanks for replies. I'm going to have a look at the ones you mention. I was cleaning the toliets last night

I've just noticed that steam cleaners are included in the Tesco Clubcard Boost if that helps anyone.

I love my shark 2 in 1. Gets my floors gleaming and streak free. No more heavy mop buckets too.