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Housekeeping

Find cleaning advice from other Mumsnetters on our Housekeeping forum.

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Original poster

I bought a steam cleaner and...

52 replies

BertieBotts · 25/10/2021 16:21

I am underwhelmed. I was expecting it to be this magical cleaning machine?? People talk about them managing everything their kids throw at it.

It's alright at cleaning the kitchen floor (but not really any less effort than mopping TBH except for drying faster) but it does nothing to carpets, it's much too bulky and heavy to heft up onto the sofa to clean that. It probably does sterilise effectively but TBH I don't especially need sterilised carpet stains? I'm too scared to use it on the wood floor in case it damages it! But that's what really needs a good clean.

What am I missing - did I buy the wrong kind or am I doing it wrong?

OP posts:

User5489205347 · 29/11/2021 22:10

I have 2 of them, first one was a 'bargain' which I hardly used and then I got a freeby one with a Vax Carpetwasher, I haven't used the second one, they are a bit of a faff for little gain, I had to source deionised water for the first one which was another pita. On here people do rave about them though

RagzRebooted · 24/04/2022 15:07

I have actually found a good use for mine, having posted on this thread 6 months ago. The kitchen lino was really grotty and no amount of mopping made any difference. I don't have a floor scrubbing brush, so I got this out and first used the steam mop attachment which made little difference so I used the smaller brush attachment without a pad and used it to steam and scrub, wiping down with a cloth after. It took several tanks of water as the floor was grim, but it looks so much better now.
Far from effortless though. I think I was assuming it would do the work for me, but actually I had to scrub pretty hard.

Webbedlife · 26/04/2022 00:47

I've tried 2 steam mops (one I sent back). Both were ineffective and hard to push around. I prefer using an ecloth mop now. It does the job without as much effort, and I thought avoiding effort was the original point of steam mops. I also bought a handheld which was really useful while it lasted. Pity it stopped working all too soon. I suspect the element burned out So I haven't had much luck with them. Anyway, with energy bills getting sky high I'm less inclined to buy more electricity guzzling devices unless I'm certain they really work.

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 26/04/2022 01:06

They're awful, I returned mine.

TigerLilyTail · 26/04/2022 01:37

Is it a steam mop rather than a steam cleaner?

I have a shark one. I had a lot of wooden floors when the kids were young and they used to drive me crazy playing in the bucket of dirty water when I was trying to mop. I love mine and it’s still going strong.

Eucalyptusbee · 26/04/2022 01:42

Same here. Spent £250 on a fancy karcher one and used it twice in a year. Now just gathering dust. Mop much better and easier

fairylightsandwaxmelts · 26/04/2022 06:34

I'm really surprised by these replies!

We have a cheap one from Amazon and it works perfectly on our hard floors. No puddles - the floor stays damp for maybe 5-10 minutes after but that's it.

It is one where you can add cleaning stuff to it though so I add method floor cleaner to mine.

Sagaris · 26/04/2022 06:49

I have a Shark steam mop, 2 dogs and it's used several times a week on our vinyl kitchen floor - I wouldn't be without it. It also gets used on the bathroom floor. I'm now thinking of ditching the living room carpet in favour of something that can be steam cleaned.

Sagaris · 26/04/2022 06:51

Sorry - I also meant to say I find that steam cleaner very good, I previously had a cheaper one from one of the shopping channels which was a real disappointment!

AlternativePerspective · 26/04/2022 06:57

i realise that this thread has been resurrected but agree they’re awful. I’ve had a couple, and have found they either break after a couple of uses or they’re just useless.

But if you want something decent to clean the carpets/floors, I bought this last year

BISSELL CrossWave Pet Pro | 3-in-1 Multi-Surface Floor Cleaner | Vacuums, Washes and Dries | Perfect for Pet Owners | 2224E www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B084ZR4B2D/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apip_GdbM3X7IGznzQ
it’s always better if you do vacuum first esp if you have pets, but it vacuums as well as cleans and was a godsend last week when my dog was ill. I also use it to clean the kitchen floor, and as it sucks up the water there is no wet carpet or floor to worry about.

weneedtotalkaboutezra · 27/04/2022 12:03

I want one for the floors only. Is it any good for floors though?

Shehasadiamondinthesky · 27/04/2022 12:05

I've got a large karcher one for the bathroom, I've used it twice - complete waste of money.

Tagliatellme · 27/04/2022 12:10

We've also got a Shark and it's brilliant. It's this one:

sharkclean.co.uk/product/shark-klik-n-flip-automatic-steam-mop-s6003uk-zidS6003UK

We were given a Shark vacuum cleaner and it's absolutely rubbish so I was a bit hesitant buying this, but it's fantastic.

Comedycook · 27/04/2022 12:13

I think steam cleaners are crap. A mop works just as well. As for carpet...it just makes them damp. Stains remain and then you have a lovely damp, stained carpet...yuk!

mrsjg · 03/05/2022 16:34

Mine was a waste of money, it's a Karcher. After using it a couple of times I came to the conclusion that I wasn't the mucky bitch I thought I was!

Allshallbewell2021 · 12/04/2023 09:21

Does anybody recommend a steam cleaner for someone with a bad back? I find cleaning the bathrooms and floors is very hard on my back and I wonder whether a steam cleaner might give me more heft in my cleaning? I'm not sure whether one would be brilliant or immediately too much gaff to use.
Also what about the using one in bathroom & kitchen? Is the water heated high enough? I always try to separate kitchen cleaning from bathroom cleaning equipment except for the mop. Thanks

Webbedlife · 12/04/2023 11:56

I think they are tougher on the back if anything. You could consider a robot mop but I have never tried one so can't vouch for them.

Allshallbewell2021 · 12/04/2023 12:14

Thanks

TollgateDebs · 12/04/2023 12:19

Recently bought one, having read the reviews and not that impressed. All of our floors are hard, tile and wood and the steam I feel helps a little on the very smooth tiles / wood but not appreciably so. However, I use it to steam the rugs and this is technically not what it is for, but I think is useful. My mop, bucket and biological washing powder does a better job!

Livedandlearned · 12/04/2023 14:55

I've used a Shark steam mop and it was excellent

OriginalUsername2 · 12/04/2023 15:01

Good tip about the dishewasher tab for oven cleaning.

For my dusty bathroom I wipe the dust away with kitchen towel and then clean.

userxx · 12/04/2023 16:12

TollgateDebs · 12/04/2023 12:19

I took my steam cleaner to the tip at the weekend. The man working there told me he see's hundreds of the things being binned.

TollgateDebs · 12/04/2023 16:21

@userxx not surprised and I am not normally taken in by a product, but appears that my expectations are definitely not those of the reviewers.

Allshallbewell2021 · 21/04/2023 09:55

But another question - doesn't it get the bathroom cleaner by virtue of the hot water? Does it effectively disinfect better than the simple manual clean? It's the bathroom cleaning I hate....

userxx · 21/04/2023 15:01

Allshallbewell2021 · 21/04/2023 09:55

But another question - doesn't it get the bathroom cleaner by virtue of the hot water? Does it effectively disinfect better than the simple manual clean? It's the bathroom cleaning I hate....

I'd say no more than a standard mop with hot water and some flash chucked in, it smells nicer too.

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