NOW CLOSED Kärcher steam cleaner feedback thread: Non testers – win a steam cleaner (RRP: £219.99) for yourself by letting Kärcher know your home’s ‘dirty secrets’

[AlexMumsnet]

This is the thread for the lucky 30 testers who were sent a steam cleaner by Kärcher and our currently using it to do the spring clean.

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"*

Testers are trying the SC 2.500 C

Testers: we'll be asking you to add feedback twice - we'd like your first impressions now and in a week we will add some more questions.

So, for your first impressions, Kärcher would love to know:

~ Did you find setting up the Steam Cleaner easy, were the instructions helpful?
~ Where have you used the Steam Cleaner?
~ What were your impressions from the first few uses?
~ What cleaning chore have you been most pleased with the results from using a Steam Cleaner?

If you're not an official tester but you'd like another chance to get a steam cleaner (RRP: £219.99) for yourself then please share on this thread where in your house could really benefit from a bit of a deep-steam-clean. What's your home's 'dirty secret' ? the place where you've let the grime build up and now can't bear to look at? Where would you most want to use the steam cleaner?

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

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

~ After a few uses, has your Steam Cleaner changed your cleaning regime at all? If so, how?

I am cleaning the bathroom floor more often! I have put the mop away, and am using the Kärcher instead on all hard floors.

~ Have you tried the Steam Cleaner out on any of the following? If so, please tell us what the results were like:

1. everyday dirt
   I assume floors count here? I have found it fine on tiled flooring, and really good on laminate. I seem to put in less effort than when mopping, and the floors are drier.

2. limescale in the bathroom
   It's ok on limescale - no better/worse than conventional cleaning. I have to buff chrome/tiles with a microfibre cloth to get them shiny after using the Kärcher, so may as well just clean with a microfibre.

3. tough grease from the oven hood.
   Didn't shift this. I am happy to accept that my cooker hood is dirtier than average though.

~ Is there anywhere else that you've used the Steam Cleaner where you've been impressed with the results?

It's been best on floors, grout, and a few niggly corners in the bathroom that would otherwise need scrubbing with a toothbrush.

~ If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the Kärcher steam cleaner to a friend or family member or not?

To be honest, I think for the price, the effect is not good enough for me to recommend it. However, I am converted to steam cleaning the floor, and if someone had lots of wood/laminate, I probably would recommend that they get a steam mop of some sort, perhaps a simpler, cheaper one.

Non tester here. I would love to use this to reach the tiles around the back of my toilet! It's a hands and knees job and I never get it to look naice. Will be good to get it sparkling whilst standing up!

After a few uses, has your Steam Cleaner changed your cleaning regime at all? If so, how?
Yes it has. I used to clean upstairs one day then downstairs next day, now I get the steam cleaner out and do what I can with it all at once eg bathrooms, hard floors, worktops etc, then doing the remaining non steam stuff the next day.

Have you tried the steam cleaner on any of the following?

1. Everyday dirt?

Yes, the windows came up really clean although as I dont have a squeegee they were a bit wetter than normal so I had to give them a good buff up.

1. Lime scale in the bathroom?

Yes, I have chrome fittings and they get cloudy with residue, they are now sparkling!

1. Tough grease from the oven hood?

My oven hood is pretty new so it wasn't too bad and it cleaned up well.

Is there anywhere else that you have used the cleaner and been impressed?
Really brilliant for cleaning floor tile grout and shower grout particularly as no bleach etc required.
I steam cleaned the stainless steel splash back behind the oven and for the first time in ages it is clean and streak free, just needed a little buff.
I also successfully steamed a couple of really old stains out of the living room carpet and I steamed my orchid (not a euphemism) from a distance of about a foot - it is quite old and was looking dry and tired but it has had a new lease of life with a few puffs of steam every few days.

Yes I would recommend it as its a handy thing to have, I'm sure I will get a lot of use out of it as we get to know each other better.

Hello

~ After a few uses, has your Steam Cleaner changed your cleaning regime at all? If so, how?

I would like to say I'm cleaning more often, truth is I'm not really, but the cleaning I do do is quicker and more effective I think. A proper clean rather than a quick wipe

~ Have you tried the iSteam Cleaner out on any of the following? If so, please tell us what the results were like:

1. everyday dirt

It was very good on the Lino floors in the kitchen and bathroom. Very good for a quick swipe over cupboard doors,things where the cloth is over the brush were best. I was less impressed with dusty things, you just get wet dust which then needs wiping away, much as a damp cloth would have done perfectly well. Things like the fluffy, awkward bits behind the loo or under the pipes under the washbasin. I thought it would be great here but again just damp fluff

2. limescale in the bathroom

We are in a very hard water area and do have A LOT of limescale. We also moved last year and inherited some really ingrained limescale. The karcher didn't touch this, but then nothing has. A think if it was used regularly to swipe over the tiles / shower screen it would probably keep the limescale at bay.

3. tough grease from the oven hood.

We don't have an oven hood. I tried it on the door, it wasn't very good. it was effective on the tiles behind the cooker which get splattered and greasy. Also v good on our glass hob which gets really quite mucky

~ Is there anywhere else that you've used the Steam Cleaner where you've been impressed with the results?

It was great at blasting little tiny books and cracks, where parts of the dishwasher or fridge meet, or where the sink meets the work top, the stuff it got out of there made even me raise my eyebrows

I used it on a polished goatskin satchel that a can of diet coke popped in, leaving a deep tide mark all around the bottom. It certainly faded the stain, and whereas I didn't want to use chemicals on it I was happy to give steam a whirl. It didn't adversely effect the leather

I also used it on the chicken coop, and am very excited at the prospect of blasting any red mite we might get in the summer (a nasty bloodsucking bug that infests cracks and is hard to get rid of)

I've been de-dusting houseplants plants too, it's good for that

~ If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the Kärcher steam cleaner to a friend or family member or not?

It depends. If they were slovenly like me, doing the bare minimum only when required, probably not. But someone who does a regular whip around everything, before it Goes Beyond I think it would be very good for that person and would recommend it. It's fun to use, it's quick, it's no more effort to get out than mop, spray, dusters etc. if you are a cleaning type I think you'd love it

i aim to become that person. The karcher is definitely helping me, in that once it's out it's easy to do everything, rather than just doing the floor and leaving the surfaces or just the tiles but not the floor iyswim

Do I win an extra prize for Longest Post So Far?

~ After a few uses, has your Steam Cleaner changed your cleaning regime at all? If so, how?

Yes. I have not got the mop out once. It makes floors easier and cleaner. V good.

~ Have you tried the Steam Cleaner out on any of the following? If so, please tell us what the results were like:

1. everyday dirt - Well the everyday dirt in our house is fairly hardcore mud, dog hair and spillages. It needs removing not just steaming, so the steamer on its own would never replace brushes, hoovers and cloths. The steamer for me is really more of a post-clean sterilise. For cleaning around in general it's fine but after cleaning an area the steamer cloth gets sodden and drips. It needs to be regularly rinsed out (and it's bloody hot!). I've found manoeuverability difficult in small spaces (downstairs loo, bathrooms) so it ends up being a bit of a faff. Much better for the bigger floor spaces.

2. limescale in the bathroom - we're in quite a soft water area so not much limescale but the small detail brush did great shakes round the taps and rust stains under the shower pipe things. I'm afraid it didn't make a big difference to the slightly smeary shower screen.
   .

3. tough grease from the oven hood. - disappointing. I spent hours going over and over that goddamed hood with every attachment (and it wasn't that greasy to start with). It did eventually remove most of the grease (which inevitably all ended in a greasy puddles on the worktops and hob) but it didn't make the oven hood shiny sparkly clean which I'd been hoping for. It was still sticky to the touch. I'm afraid I've gone back to strong chemicals which have had a far better effect with much less effort in much less time.

~ Is there anywhere else that you've used the Steam Cleaner where you've been impressed with the results?

All the floors (wood, tiled and laminate) outstanding results and great to know that it's actually hygienic and not just wet.

Grouting on bathroom tiles (we have a mosaic strip with loads of fiddly gaps) - the small detail brush was more effective than anything else I've tried including toothbrushes.

I also took a risk and went over a grubby white wool rug (after a thorough hoovering) with the hand brush. The rug looked the cleanest and freshest it had for years and much less soggy than after a carpet shampoo.

~ If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the Kärcher steam cleaner to a friend or family member or not?

Not for the current cost of £200-odd. Frankly, when I compare it with my Dyson (I know it's not the same function but the cost is in the same region) it just feels a bit cheaper in terms of power, versatility and usefulness. It seems like it will only be (for me) a very nice, quite handy optional extra rather than essential tool.

Nah - beat you, Onehundred

My place's dirty secret - the bathroom! Steamy hot showers leading to streamy, smeary, streaky tiles and a limescale ridden window. So it would be good to get all steamed up over a good steam clean

~ After a few uses, has your Steam Cleaner changed your cleaning regime at all? If so, how?

Have done the floors a couple more times a week than normal (I'd usually leave it til I do all the housework) but not changed much else

~ Have you tried the Steam Cleaner out on any of the following? If so, please tell us what the results were like: 1) everyday dirt 2) limescale in the bathroom 3) tough grease from the oven hood.

1. the floor does feel clean when I've given it the once over with the steam cleaner, although it doesn't dry instantly. I still have to sweep/vac first though so it's not a quick job to do the floors and more cloths are absolutely necessary - the one given is soaking by the time I've done the kitchen and so I've had to fashion some out of some old towels.

2)it's ok on limescale, but it's not replaced Viakal by any stretch of the imagination. It's fine if I've got the cleaner in the bathroom anyway, but it's generally faster to just give the taps a quick spray/wipe

3. our cooker hood is so greasy that it's not made much difference - just moved the grease around

~ Is there anywhere else that you've used the Steam Cleaner where you've been impressed with the results?

Our hob came up very well - although again I needed a lot of cloths!

~ If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the Kärcher steam cleaner to a friend or family member or not?

I think it's expensive for what it is - if it was half the price I'd recommend it I'm sure, but at over £200 I think you'd have to be certain that you'd use it several times a week, and I'm worried that once the novelty of mine has worn off, it'll end up being a once a month thing. Still very happy to have it though:)

I'd also love to steam clean the bathroom, especially the all the gunk low down behind the sink.

Not a tester but would like to be entered into the draw.

I think the grubbiest place must be behind the radiators. There is so much grime, dirt & dust there. I pride myself on being quite house proud but I just can't work out how to possibly clean behind there & I'm assuming a powerful steam cleaner would be just the thing!

Non-tester here.

Our hob/oven doesn't sit flush with the rest of the kitchen cabinets so bits of food/etc constantly fall through, and short of ripping the whole unit out, I can't get to it all! It's HORRIFYING the crap that's back there, I'm so happy we can't post photos on here or everyone would see my shame.

Our walk in shower is my dirty house secret, its a rented house and it was not clean when we moved in but i just dont have the right things to clean it and the dirt seems ingrained so I have just left it and left it! It needs a miracle! I am thankful that our visitors never see it!

Non-tester

Everywhere!! My 6 month old daughter has reflux and is sick around ten times a day... Its only milk and often I can't find where it has been afterwards. I've thought about sniffing round the house to try to find the sour-milk-sick patches, but then she got a horrible tummy bug and now I'm seriously in trouble. Yuk! I either need to move house or get this steam cleaner :) xx

Non tester
My tip - if micro wave has exploded food in it which has hardened, put a jug of hot water with a slice of lemon in it and put in microwave on high for 5 minutes. Then just wipe around with kitchen towel and it will all come off

~ After a few uses, has your Steam Cleaner changed your cleaning regime at all? If so, how?

It has in that if I see something that needs doing my first thought is 'can I steam clean it?!' I certainly use it for peace of mind on things sich as safety gates, door handles and the hichchair as I know it is sanitised.

~ Have you tried the Steam Cleaner out on any of the following? If so, please tell us what the results were like: 1) everyday dirt 2) limescale in the bathroom 3) tough grease from the oven hood.

1. Yes, mainly excellent.
2. Yes, on the tiles where it has a thin layer of limescale was a lot more satisfying than thick limescale. i think it does need a good dose of vinegar to go with it.

~ Is there anywhere else that you've used the Steam Cleaner where you've been impressed with the results?

It does bring things up nice, espacially mirrors and stainless steel items. I am impressed with most surfaces after they've been steamed.

~ If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the Kärcher steam cleaner to a friend or family member or not?

Yes definitely, in fact I have a queue of people ready to borrow it, even my friend's mum is waiting!

Non tester here.
My dirty secret is around the edges of the kitchen floor, particularly the little gap between the washing machine and cupboard that I'm scared to stick my arm into, and between the fridge and the wall.

~ After a few uses, has your Steam Cleaner changed your cleaning regime at all? If so, how?

Not really. The kids have been off school and I've not been able to use it with them round because I'm concerned about the safety. I'm more likely to bring it out for a good deep clean rather than use it for everyday cleaning.

~ Have you tried the Steam Cleaner out on any of the following? If so, please tell us what the results were like: 1) everyday dirt 2) limescale in the bathroom 3) tough grease from the oven hood.

1. It did a good job of my floors - only the oldest, most ingrained stains remained on the ancient tiles. For once, the floor looked clean and not streaky.

2. I did. It didn't touch it. The wall tiles remained spotty. I et better results just spraying with vinegar and rinsing with the shower.

~ Is there anywhere else that you've used the Steam Cleaner where you've been impressed with the results?

While it was cooling down, I opened the back door to air the house and blasted the inside off the upvc frame. It took off all the nasty sticky half alive dirt that had accumulated a treat!

DH attacked the old, sticky, dusty venetian blind in the kitchen with it. It took ages and was a lot of work, but it's an improvement on what it was and means we can hold onto them for a little longer without being quite as embarrassed by them.

~ If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the Kärcher steam cleaner to a friend or family member or not?

I think it's a little pricey for what it achieves, but I might suggest it to someone with a particular problem.

_

Only DH had had chance to use it, by the time the first lot of questions had been asked, but I managed to use the one childfree day between receiving it and the holidays starting to have a go. I have mobility problems with my hands - my thumb joints have degenerated and have limited movement and i found it very difficult to hold onto it. The tube where the trigger is was a bit too big for me to grip comfortably (and without constantly setting it off, even when I didn't want steam) and there was nothing to stop it from slipping in my hands. I found myself pulling my hands up to the flexible tub to get comfortable and, unsurprisingly, that was HOT!

(not a tester)

My home's dirty secret? I am shortsighted but apart from TV watching, I never wear my glasses at home. If I can't see the cobwebs/child-and cat-generated muck/other filth, then THE DIRT DOESN'T EXIST.

If I win one of these fab steam cleaners, I will be able to wear my glasses at home and stop bumping into things.

Non tester
Unfortunately as a long term arthritis sufferer my bathroom has suffered. Scrubbing tiles and the shower screen have been abandoned for a quick wipe.
An easy to use appliance to make them sparkle would be a great addition to this household!

Non tester here too. We have a room off the kitchen which is very hard to clean infarct I give up and don't even go there!I often wonder what the steam cleaner would make of it as a vocation and think it would find a great sense of fulfilment ! Lots of hard to get grime !

Not a tester.

When the skirting boards need cleaning it's time to move.

My DF said, when he heard I'd bought a new oven, "why, was the old one dirty!" If something is too gross to clean, I do tend to chuck it out and bu a new one!

Keep painting over the mildew on the bathroom ceiling

After a few uses, has your Steam Cleaner changed your cleaning regime at all? If so, how?
It has been used for all the hard floor surfaces rather than a mop

Have you tried the Steam Cleaner out on any of the following? If so, please tell us what the results were like: 1) everyday dirt 2) limescale in the bathroom 3) tough grease from the oven hood.

1. yes the results were good
2. no as we had no limescale
3. yes it did really well

Is there anywhere else that you've used the Steam Cleaner where you've been impressed with the results?
Windows. Made them very shiney.

If it came up in conversation, would you recommend the Kärcher steam cleaner to a friend or family member or not?
Yes

Not a tester

Mine is the big black stain on the living when struggling 7m old DS kicked a bottle of banana antibiotic medicine while I was attempting to administer it. We now have a rather oddly placed playmat in front of the sofa, which is a bit surplus to requirements as he is now 3!

Should be living room carpet, I clearly got away from myself in the excitement of telling such a thrilling tale!