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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

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

18 replies

ZooTimeIsSheAndYouTime · 12/11/2013 12:36

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 againConfused 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!)

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valiumredhead · 12/11/2013 13:01

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.

ZooTimeIsSheAndYouTime · 12/11/2013 13:46

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?Confused See there I go talking myself out if it againGrin

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valiumredhead · 12/11/2013 13:53

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

ZooTimeIsSheAndYouTime · 12/11/2013 13:57

Grin 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.

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valiumredhead · 12/11/2013 14:00

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 funGrin

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

BettyBum · 12/11/2013 14:33

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

valiumredhead · 12/11/2013 15:40

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.

BettyBum · 12/11/2013 15:49

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.

valiumredhead · 12/11/2013 16:22

Do your cleaners actually like it though?Wink

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

ZooTimeIsSheAndYouTime · 12/11/2013 16:59

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 mineGrin

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valiumredhead · 12/11/2013 17:16

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 aboutGrin I did it with the Vax steamer, went straight back after one use!

BettyBum · 12/11/2013 19:20

Cheers VRH Smile

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

viperslast · 12/11/2013 20:36

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 Smile

hermioneweasley · 12/11/2013 20:42

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.

CMP69 · 12/11/2013 20:48

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 Grin

ZooTimeIsSheAndYouTime · 13/11/2013 08:55

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

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janeyjampot · 13/11/2013 10:03

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

agedknees · 14/11/2013 18:06

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

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