Please or to access all these features

Product tests

Here's where users test and review products and give their feedback. If you'd like to run a product test please email [email protected].

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

NOW CLOSED Put a Kärcher Steam Cleaner through its paces (RRP £219.99) and get to keep it after testing.

465 replies

AlexMumsnet · 11/03/2013 12:26

We've been asked by Kärcher to find 30 UK based Mumsnetters keen to put their Steam Cleaners to the test.

Kärcher say their Steam Cleaners "revolutionise home cleaning, tackling any and all frequent and difficult cleaning tasks with professional results and abolishing the need for hours of endless scrubbing! Our steam cleaner is a natural and environmentally-friendly solution that provides a family-focussed alternative from chemical cleaners that aggravate allergies and are harmful to children, killing 99.99% of all common household bacteria without the need for detergents"*

They are particularly looking for MNers who are brand new to steam cleaning and who are keen to make light work of their cleaning needs. From day to day tasks such as laminate flooring and kitchen surfaces, to those jobs we all put off such as limescale and mould in the bathroom and tough grease on the oven hood in the kitchen.

For more info on the Karcher steam cleaner that's available for test, click here - testers will be trying out the SC2.500C model. Kärcher say "We are thrilled to have created a product that achieves professional standard cleaning without the need for chemicals just using tap water. Our steam cleaners are perfect for busy parents who don't have the time to spend hours on end cleaning but want to achieve a deep down clean. 99.99% of all household bacteria are killed when thoroughly cleaning with the Kärcher Steam Cleaners hard household surfaces."

We're also looking for a further 5 testers to demonstrate the versatility of the cleaner by taking video footage of it tackling a variety of common cleaning issues, including:

~ Everyday dirt on laminate floors or tiles
~ Baked on oven grease (on the over hood)
~ Mould/limescale on bathroom tiles

If you're happy to make a film for Kärcher please tick the box on the application form. Videos will be recorded using a smartphone, so please make sure you have one of the models listed on the form. If you're selected you'll be asked to film yourself in your home using the product. You'll then need to send the footage here to MN. Please note the videos will be edited into a montage and will feature on the Kärcher website as well as on retailer websites. It may also be used elsewhere (eg Facebook, MN) - your name will not be used.

If you're selected to take part then you'll be asked to leave feedback at least twice on a thread on Mumsnet: we'd like first impressions and then some comments after you've used the cleaner a few times. You'll also be asked to add a review to the steam cleaner review section on MN.
Everyone who takes part in the product test and leaves their feedback as requested gets to keep the Kärcher steam cleaner after testing (RRP £219.99).

Additionally, the five testers who send in video footage as required will be sent a £20 John Lewis voucher.
Deliveries will take place on Thursday 21st, Friday 22nd and Monday 25th March. Please indicate on the sign up form what day and time slot you prefer.

If you'd like to take part please add your details here: www.surveymonkey.com/s/BLHKPWK

Please only apply if you are around at the end of March/ Early April for testing and feedback.

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ
PS - look out for the feedback thread because if you're not selected there's a chance to win your very own Kärcher SC2.500C worth £219.99!

*When thoroughly cleaning with the Kärcher Steam Cleaner 99.99% of all common household bacteria will be killed on common household hard floor surfaces.

OP posts:
morethanpotatoprints · 23/03/2013 13:43

I used tool without cloth for my carpets and just about to do another.
Can't do sofa as its leather, so can't help there I'm afraid.
I can reach to clean the windows now so they are all getting done. I'm only 4 ft 11 and never do windows, especially over bath/toilet/kitchen sink, as can't get steps/ chair close enough.

robbie1972 · 23/03/2013 13:58

when is the competition coming?

lalalonglegs · 23/03/2013 14:18

I used mine yesterday - cooker hood is gleaming; a mirror that was always really streaky (it had a kind of ingrained streak run, I don't know how that happened), is now pleasantly sparkly and OH MY GOD, my wooden floors are amazing Shock - I dragged my husband out of bed to admire them... I'm trying to build up a few days' worth of cack on the shower screen (we live in a very hard water area so it shouldn't take long) and am planning a mattress blitz as well.

I really like it - actually I love it - and I'm really not someone who gets excited about cleaning generally but will agree the instructions are a bit rubish, definitely at the Ikea end of the scale of helpfulness.

Did anyone else feel a bit embarrassed by the state of their cloth cleaning pad thingies by the end of their blitz?

CharlotteBronteSaurus · 23/03/2013 15:14

well, we didnt go away in the end, so I have given the Karcher a little go in the galley kitchen
perhaps I'm not doing it right, or, more likely, my house is grubbier than average, but it didn't seem amazing either on the dusty greasy bits on the cupboards, nor on the tile floor.
I will try the bathroom tomorrow, and will have a crack at the sofas as well.

TequilaMockinBird · 23/03/2013 17:24

Lala, I'm appalled at the colour of my once lovely white cloth things Sad

How the feck do I get them white again?

LillethTheCat · 23/03/2013 17:43

Ive not received mine yet and not sure what the clothes are like, but can you not boil wash them?

LillethTheCat · 23/03/2013 17:44

clothes = cloths.

Got children around me

TequilaMockinBird · 23/03/2013 17:46

I think they may just be terry, got them steeping in boiling water and if that doesn't work ill try the boil wash!

CutePuppy · 23/03/2013 21:55

If someone figures out the greasy bit, please let me know. Love it for the floors and detail cleaning bits, but disappointed with the greasy cooker splash backs.

Would also like to try it on carpets but a little scared!

morethanpotatoprints · 23/03/2013 22:05

cutepuppy

What do you mean, the greasy bit? Do you mean how to get a good result?

CutePuppy · 23/03/2013 23:02

Yes, sorry! Was unclear!

The splash back around my hob has grease on it. Not loads though. I tried the steamer with the cloth on. Perhaps I need to take the cloth off? Working tomorrow so can't try until Monday.

slambang · 24/03/2013 10:28

Puppy I used the smallest brush on the really greasy corners under the cooker hood on the splash back. It worked- ish after 3 going overs but now the brush itself is full of greasey gunk. (Does using chemicals to clean the brush defeat the object of not using chemicals on the hood? Confused)

lalalonglegs · 24/03/2013 10:43

Puppy I used the hand nozzle (D1) with cloth cover for the mesh bit on my cooker hood and then finished off the metal bits with the small brush and it did a good job. The brush did look a bit crappy by the end but I then used it on some tiles and some limescale on the underside of bathroom fittings and all the fresh steam blowing through cleared it up.

morethanpotatoprints · 24/03/2013 15:27

Puppy, I used the plastic pointy bit and cleaned all the muck than ran down with an ordinary micro fibre cloth, as by the time I got to do this the cloths were manky. Grin We're not that dirty, honestly. Its the steamer thats brill.

I am wondering if I can blast down our washing machine hose as it has a real horrible smell coming from it. Only just started yesterday. Has anybody done a drain yet?

SoupDreggon · 25/03/2013 09:19

It's here!

[happy dance]

TheReturnoftheSmartArse · 25/03/2013 09:40

Can't imagine what you'll be doing today then, Soupy !

So, I have basically spent the weekend steaming anything that doesn't move, and a few things which do.

The biggest revelation is the stains on the carpet. A quick blast with the gun thing, a rub with a cloth - and the marks were gone! And that includes red wine on the curtains (how?!) and blood from the back of the sofa (also, WTF?). Amazing!

It is definitely less of a faff to use the steamer than it is to wash the floor with a mop and Flash, and I do like the idea of not using chemicals.

I tried to use it in the kitchen sink, but that was a bit of a mistake because I blasted the plughole which caused some sort of steamy backdraft and I got an unintended facial.

SoupDreggon · 25/03/2013 09:45

Wine? Blood? Your house sounds scarey interesting :o

SoupDreggon · 25/03/2013 09:46

Spare cloth pad thingys could easily be made form old towels couldn't they?

SoupDreggon · 25/03/2013 09:49

I only have one teeny little brush that fits on the little accessory holders - what's the spare holder for?

SoupDreggon · 25/03/2013 09:51

I don't know what to clean first!
Kitchen floor?
Living room carpet?
Ensuite shower?
Bathroom?

OneHundredSecondsofSolitude · 25/03/2013 10:03

WTAG ZOMG ETC

i thought i hadn't been chosen. there was no email. i even checked my junk

and then......it ARRIVRD! i am truly actually amazed and over teh moon

i've NEVER won anything and it's so unexpected

so, what do i ahev to do? (i'm not at home, DP has just taken delivery) are theer instuctions on how i give feedback included or was that in the errant email?

i'm going to raed the thread now, perhpas taht will tell me

Wow. thsi is me: Grin

morethanpotatoprints · 25/03/2013 10:19

OneHundred

Haven't heard about feedback thread yet and there was nothing in the delivery. Really pleased for you, the same happened to me. I thought I would never be chosen so ordered the cheaper hand held version and low and behold they both arrived within half an hour of each other. Have decided to keep the other one too.

wannabeEostregoddess · 25/03/2013 10:19

I dont think it will get here today due to the snow :(

MissEleanorLavish · 25/03/2013 10:22

mine isn't here yet. I know they have until 12 but I have a free morning to play clean with it. We don't even have any snow!!!

MissEleanorLavish · 25/03/2013 10:34

It's herrreeeeee!!!!