I bought a steam cleaner and...

[BertieBotts]

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?

We got a steam cleaner and it was fab until it broke - it wouldn't heat up - couldn't be mended at a reasonable price. So DH went on the net and found a 'cheaper' replacement. It's pants compared to the original - washing the kitchen floor with it is really hard work, and the wand bends if you push more to get more friction. It gives you blisters as steam escapes from the hand grip and burns you - although you don't notice this until you've finished. It doesn't have such good attachments, it doesn't clean the top of the cooker, the tiles in the shower, etc etc as well as the original - so it doesn't get brought out much. Unfortunately this means it still works!

They sound great and terrible at once!