Talk to me about steam cleaners!

[MrsDeaconClaybourne]

Not sure if I'm doing something wrong or just have bought one that's not very good.

I've just bought a steam cleaner and am completely underwhelmed. Tried cleaning around the edge of the shower tray and it's done nothing really except move a bit of dust that I could have easily done with a cloth. The corners that I really wanted to blast don't look any different - I could do a better job with a old toothbrush and some bleach spray. To add to the frustration it works for about 5 mins then I have to wait until it's completely cool before I can refill it - about 20 mins or so!

Obviously this one is going back but is it me? Does anyone have one they think is amazing or is it just back to scrubbing?

Hope it's not a Vax one...waste of money.

To add .the old ways are the best ways for a reason.👍😁

I could have written this. I got a karcher one just after Christmas. It's rubbish. It cleaned the grout in the tiles but then I realised that the brush was removing the dirt and I didn't need the steam. I feel like I've been had over. Now I have this bulky, useless thing to store. Am I missing something?

I got a Vax one as was really unimpressed. It’s been languishing in the shed for years. Such a shame, I had high hopes.

@TheDogsMother commiserations on buying Vax crap from a former Vax crap owner.👍

They are truly awful. When you watch the videos of them steaming the grime away, it's a total scam. They aren't capable of getting rid of anything grease related, just mild dirt (which you could do anyway with any cleaner / hot water and soap)

Aw, thank you. Sorry you have all been disappointed too. I'm simultaneously relieved that it's not me being incompetent and disappointed that people didn't say ah, you just need to do x and then it's amazing!

Mine was only a basic one from Argos and I've packaged it up to take back so not much lost. I wondered if a more expensive one would be better but it doesn't sound like it.

I use one for specific things. Detailing. Getting where a toothbrush can't, like under the seat hinges on the loo, blasting crumbs out of the edge of the stove top etc. It's great for melting grease on kitchen surfaces and giving taps and plug holes a good blast. It's great if you want to cut down on the use and cost of chemicals, sprays etc. I use it as part of my overall kit.

I had a Vax one and it was shit. I was expecting it to blast the grime off the oven door glass but it did bugger all.

Will they take it back if you've used it? If so, im taking my Karcher one back. What i dont get is that all the reviews in Argos were good. I thiught I must be missing something but it looks like we've all been had over. I suppose the only thing it might be good for is if you dont want bonuses bleach, for environmental reasons, so you could disinfect something with the hot steam maybe. I dont know. Can't believe I fell for it.

I have a shaker kitchen and it’s really good for cleaning the grooves that get full with dust, also blasting the plug hole

I kept seeing people using them on Instagram , they always seem amazing .
So I take it they’re all rubbish then ?

We've got a steam mop. Not convinced it's any more effective than a regular mop. But it DOES get the floor clean with less water, so it dries off much faster than a full mopping?

I'd hardly used it so all of the accessories were still in the packaging etc. I just sealed it back up and they didn't ask anything about it. I'd have put it on vinted/eBay if not

Which one have you got? My didn't really blast anything in the way I was hoping. Like a pp said maybe if you were trying to reduce chemical use it would be good but for me it wasn't as good as bleach spray and a good rinse

Don't fall for the ads. Mine is Karcher, one of the best ones, supposedly, and I wish Id never bought it.

I have Karcher and really like it. I have a lot of hard flooring it's much easier than a normal mop. Takes 1 min to heat up and you can just refill as you go. I also find it good for cleaning the shower cubicle and I even use it to clean windows. It has a carpet attachment that is useful for just freshening rugs. But I know they are quite a divisive appliance.

I use mine for light jobs that I want to be hygienic without using tons of chemicals. So I'll clean out my kitchen cupboards and drawers with a little bit of washing up liquid and steam, rather than bleach or anti-bac spray, for example. I use it on my stainless steel hob and sink too.

I love mine. I steam just about everything. Floors. Bathrooms. Dog bed. Rugs. Oven. Microwave. I think it's brilliant. I use it then just wipe over with a microfibre cloth.

Mine's a karcher sc3