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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

Original poster

what should I attack with my new steam cleaner?

76 replies

wigglybeezer · 17/05/2014 19:46

Yes I am that sad and old that I actually received Lakeland vouchers for my birthday and put them towards a steam mop/ cleaner ( and I am talking about it on a Saturday night).

I have done the kitchen floor and the cooker hood and hob, what other jobs are they good at?

OP posts:
LauraPashley · 20/05/2014 19:38

I can't believe I am reading this with so much interest/enthusiasm...

My mil has one of these she says I can borrow for a try...do you literally just point and shoot at the offending areas, then wipe over with a cloth?

eatmydust · 20/05/2014 19:45

LauraPashley yes, just point and shoot...depending on the surface you are cleaning you don't always need to wipe over as it dries very quickly. Mine has attachments as well, so can attack grouting with a little brush.

Steam cleaners really do provide hours of mindless entertainment.

lighteningmcmama · 20/05/2014 20:43

Anyone steam cleaned a mattress?I read about it online bc with dds eczema I'm on a mission against dust mites but I read on other sites that it wasn't recommended because it's difficult to dry the mattress sufficiently after. I also wonder about rust in the spring coils?

Justeat · 20/05/2014 20:49

I loooove my Karcher steamer.
If I wasn't so tired, I would steam my washing machine drawer right now!
I've tried soaking it in baby bottle steriliser, denture tablets and it's still got some muck in it.
Thanks for the idea.

chocolatespiders · 20/05/2014 21:31

Do your mattress on the morning of a hot day and it will dry no probs,

ZenGardener · 21/05/2014 00:33

chocolate spiders, I just use the hose without any attachments. My son had dropped a chocolate ice cream and it all just came out like magic.

I have never thought about steam cleaning the futons. My son has a suspected dust mite allergy. I will definitely give that one a try!

VivaLeBeaver · 21/05/2014 12:23

Are memory foam mattresses ok to steam clean?

cazakstan · 22/05/2014 18:22

Ooohhhh...Bought a hand held stem cleaner last week. Love this thread. Love my steam cleaner. I have yet to do my washing machine drawer but I did do the memory foam mattress in the spare room this morning. Nice and fresh. Did the sofas last week...like new now. Mmmm what to do next GrinGrinGrin

VivaLeBeaver · 22/05/2014 18:57

Cazakstan. Which one did you get?

Salmonspringroll · 22/05/2014 19:55

vivalabeaver Don't use on a memory foam mattress it will ruin it!

VivaLeBeaver · 22/05/2014 20:23

Thanks Salmon. Though I'm a bit disappointed, was looking forward to steaming it.

WhoKnowsWhereTheTimeGoes · 22/05/2014 20:31

I bought the cheaper Karcher one SC100.20 I think a couple of weeks ago reconditioned from the Karcher outlet (google it). £60 instead of £96 new.

Very pleased with it, the floor around the loo smells fresher than it ever has. The dishwasher seals are gleaming. The grotty bits of flooring under the feet of the fridge and cooker look like new. I've also steamed all the throws we use on the sofa as we have cats, the oven door, the gas hob, the list goes on and on.

Salmonspringroll · 23/05/2014 11:28

vivalabeaver Try sprinkling the mattress with bi carb of soda and a little washing powder and leave for a few hours. Then vacuum. Will make the mattress smell fresh

chocolatespiders · 23/05/2014 22:06

Bicarb and lavender or tea tree oil drops sprinkled over the mattress and left for few hours then hoovered kills bedbugs.

VivaLeBeaver · 23/05/2014 22:23

Thanks, will try that.

McFox · 23/05/2014 22:43

Does anyone have a cordless one they can recommend? I have a mop one but I can't get it into the bathroom and clearly that's where I want to go crazy with it Smile

SanityClause · 23/05/2014 22:54

We have had one for years but barely used it. However, recently, DH has started cleaning up the grout on our tiled kitchen floor. He does a bit each week. It looks lovely - you dont realise how dirty it's getting. Eventually he will get round to the bathrooms, as well.

ZenGardener · 24/05/2014 01:35

My DS is allergic to dust mites so I will have to try bicarb and tea tree on the mattress.

TrucksAndDinosaurs · 24/05/2014 01:48

Can you use it on clothes? I heard putting suits on hangers and then steaming them was good...?

chocolatespiders · 25/05/2014 00:36

Mcfox could you use an extension lead?

ZEN- you just add a few drops of tea tree oil then sieve it onto mattress leave and hour then hoover off. I just stand on bed with the upright hoover Smile

chocolatespiders · 25/05/2014 00:44

Add the oil to the bicarb I meant and then sprinkle.

ZenGardener · 25/05/2014 02:53

Thanks! I will definitely give it a try.

bochead · 27/05/2014 08:22

I intend to do the mattresses before we go away for a week in the summer - if the weather is nice they'll have had plenty of time to air before we get back.

Hoover them once a month in peak hayfever season and it does help.

Hang on garment on hanger over the back of a door and steam, when access to a dry cleaners is limited and you are in a last minute panic. Also good for refreshing winter coats.

The taps on radiators, the taps in the bathroom and kitchen. The handles & safety catches on windows, and stairgates.

The dogs bed.

chocolatespiders · 27/05/2014 21:27

Still haven't decided on which one to buy it is between a Karcher and a Polti.

MairzyDoats · 28/05/2014 00:07

Not sure if it is just me, and maybe we have poorly fitted skirting boards, but I point the nozzle at them once in a while and very satisfying big poufs of dust bunny type material fly out from behind them!