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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:
OneHundredSecondsofSolitude · 25/03/2013 10:46

thanks potatoprints

could someone who did get the email let us know what it said, i don't want to miss anything important and risk them taking it back Shock can you imagine!

MNHQ i deffo didn't get an email, i've checked trhough all the saucy offers in my junk and there is nothing. did it come from MN or surveymonkey or karcher? anyway i searched for all three and nothing whatsoever

LillethTheCat · 25/03/2013 11:11

It was from Alex and was called Mumsnet Product Test.

Usually what happens you get the product then another email saying the review thread is live.

You could also report your post and ask MN to put a link to this thread when the review thread has been set up. I would imagine that it will be at the top of active conversations when it comes up too.

Mine is arriving anytime today between 9 and 5, its not here yet.

LillethTheCat · 25/03/2013 11:27

Mines arrived Grin

Delivery driver was a knob though. Didn't get proper chance to sign for it before he started walking away. It seemed like such a chore to deliver it. I shalt not judge though as I dont know what he has gone through today.

wannabeEostregoddess · 25/03/2013 11:32

Mine has arrived too.

I had to educate the driver on how house numbers work Hmm

Yes, if you are at number 13 then you are near number 27. Drive on up a bit. Dont just stop.

SoupDreggon · 25/03/2013 11:37

My driver was lovely. "Hello, are you Soup?"

Obviously used my real first name though, otherwise that would be odd.

Arrived a perfect 30 mins after I'd taken a risk and done the school run :)

AlexMumsnet · 25/03/2013 11:47

OneHundredSecondsofSolitude - you are definitely one of the selected testers! Not sure what happened to the emails, but I did send them. I'll PM you them now.

OP posts:
AlexMumsnet · 25/03/2013 11:50

Same goes for you morethanpotatoprints Smile

OP posts:
AlexMumsnet · 25/03/2013 11:58

The feedback thread will be coming soon now you've all received the cleaners, and I'll send out another message when it's up. I know in the excitement you want to post about it, but if you could save most of your feedback for that, that would be great! Grin

OP posts:
SoupDreggon · 25/03/2013 13:10

Odd Things I Have Steam Cleaned:

  1. Football boots. Do this outside - the splash back of mud means you need to clean your sink again :o Result was pretty good though!
  2. Oven grill rack. Not as good as an old fashioned scrub with a scourer. Maybe a scorer on a handle plus the steam cleaner?
LillethTheCat · 25/03/2013 13:40

Good idea about the football boots Soup I go running and my running trainers are just caked with mud. Ive been waiting for the mud to dry and fall off, I might give the Karcher a go on them.

fryingpantoface · 25/03/2013 16:35

slam i'm a little underwhelmed too tbh, will give it another go after I've cleaned the towelling. Maybe they get better once they are washed?

AlexMumsnet · 25/03/2013 17:13

To the five video testers: I've just sent you an email so if you could let me know here or by pm if you didn't receive it that would be great! Thanks.

OP posts:
OneHundredSecondsofSolitude · 25/03/2013 18:22

Got it. Thanks

I shall have a proper read once the brats little darlings are I'm bed

OneHundredSecondsofSolitude · 25/03/2013 18:31

Just realised I'm going to have to make a video with me in it Shock

I'm funny looking and I've got a weird voice [wibble] and my house is a pig sty of the highest order

OneHundredSecondsofSolitude · 25/03/2013 18:32

Or more accurately lowest order I suppose

SoupDreggon · 25/03/2013 18:52

You could hire a glamorous friend to be you?

lalalonglegs · 25/03/2013 20:38

I thought we were all meant to be making videos - I have perfected using the steamer with right hand while filming with left and making sure that my face does not appear in frame. You should see the bit where I clean my floor, I have been showing it to my friends all weekend - it's really impressive.

Woofers · 25/03/2013 20:44

I am so jealous of you testers I have bought one just so I can be in the mucky cloth gang

Crazybit · 25/03/2013 21:05

I got my messsges about the videos. Grr at them wanting a video of the oven cleaning, I did it the first night it came. So I did the extractor fan. Also, I hope they dont mind if the videos are a bit longer than required as I got carried away with one..

wannabeEostregoddess · 25/03/2013 21:22

It says in the manual that ovens shouldnt be cleaned with it Confused

TequilaMockinBird · 25/03/2013 21:41

Did you do inside the oven crazy? Or just the door?

Crazybit · 25/03/2013 21:48

They asked for 'baked on oven grease'.
I meant I'd already done the hob and the top of the extractor fan/surrounding cupboards so I took the extractor fan cover off and did that for the video.

wannabeEostregoddess · 25/03/2013 21:50

I really wanted to do an oven with it. But after reading that I was unsure.

Keen to know if its possible.

TequilaMockinBird · 25/03/2013 22:07

Me too wannabe. I wonder if Alex could ask Karcher and let us know?

TequilaMockinBird · 25/03/2013 22:08

I've reported my post so that MNHQ can hopefully ask the question and let us know Smile