SteamFast SF-246 Portable Canister Steam Cleaner Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I had such great expectations for this unit after reading the description. And it would be great if the unit I received lived up to the claims made for this product. But it was not to be.
First of all- It states that once the unit heats up "a steam-on-demand trigger with a continuous-steam locking switch.."- therein lies the problem with at least what I received.
First-it's far from a "continuous-stream of steam that is produced- it sputters,and then may have a burst of steam, then sputters again. I tested the temp of the steam during several bursts of steam- it varies- anywhere from 90 degrees to 140 degrees. Anything over 110 degrees-if remains constant while steaming- is good for killing most germs. Being that this was inconsistent- hard to believe the product description-
"Using pure and natural penetrating steam, the unit removes stubborn stains, dirt, and grime from sinks and tubs; sanitizes floors; reduces smoke and other odors from drapes and upholsteries; reduces allergens such as dust mites and pet dander; and saves money on cleaning supplies--no more harsh cleaners or protective rubber gloves needed." HA! Not the unit I received.
The other problem noted quick fast-is that "on-demand" trigger- it sticks- making it very tricky to shut off, considering if your one hand is being used to wipe or scrub down the area you are cleaning, you have to drop that and fumble around with this trigger to get it finally to go off. Poor design.
Of the few areas that I attempted to clean-and none that really impressed me- and this is just a guess is that the problem lies with an inconsistent temp for the steam- as you really have to do a lot of scrubbing on your own to lift even the easiest of grime areas from the tub
.
This is not a unit that I would say would make me throw out my current, unfortunately, chemical cleaners, of which I would be so happy to do -some day.
Needless to say- this product is in the process of being returned.

Click Here to see more reviews about: SteamFast SF-246 Portable Canister Steam Cleaner

Equipped with a powerful 1500-watt heating system, this environmentally friendly steam cleaner heats up in about six or seven minutes and offers a chemical-free way to clean throughout the house. Using pure and natural penetrating steam, the unit removes stubborn stains, dirt, and grime from sinks and tubs; sanitizes floors; reduces smoke and other odors from drapes and upholsteries; reduces allergens such as dust mites and pet dander; and saves money on cleaning supplies--no more harsh cleaners or protective rubber gloves needed. The unit works with regular tap water, and its 33-ounce water tank provides approximately 30 minutes of continuous steam. Other highlights include a "heating" indicator light, a steam-on-demand trigger with a continuous-steam locking switch, a flexible 1-2/5-foot steam hose, and a 12-4/5-foot power cord. Best of all, the steam cleaner offers the convenience and portability of a handheld unit with the power and versatility of a full-size machine--its comfortable shoulder strap and lightweight design make it possible to transport the unit from room to room with graceful ease. Accessories include a 16-ounce measuring cup, two extension wands, a jet nozzle, a nozzle tip, a nylon brush for general cleaning, a brass brush for tough areas like barbecue grills, a removable utility head, and a cloth cover to clean and sanitize hard floors. The steam cleaner measures 14 by 6-8/9 by 8-2/3 inches (excluding the hose and handle) and carries a one-year limited warranty.

Get 41% OFF

Click here for more information about SteamFast SF-246 Portable Canister Steam Cleaner

Read More...

McCulloch MC-1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After some research and contemplation, I bought this unit to clean and disinfect bathrooms and other household stuff. By in large, most of the observations from the reviews here have been consistent with what I've seen.
PROS:
1. Steam lasts a very long time. The manual says it can hold up to 48oz of water from which to generate 2 hrs of steam. This appears to be right if you're holding the nozzle open constantly. In reality, its longer because you have to steam-wipe-steam-wipe repeatedly, letting the machine rest during "wipes". I can get a good 3 hrs of cleaning done on one full tank of water. Also keeping you from holding open the nozzle is that you have to give it time to "recharge" since it appears that it does not generate steam as fast as you use it.
2. It works on what it claims: most "organic" build-ups like soap scum, toothpaste, dirt, etc. Cleans darkened grout nicely. Doesn't damage the finish on fixtures. I was expecting a little too much on the calcium deposits from hard water... steam just wasn't effective.
3. Nice supply of attachments (brushes) although its unclear what types of surfaces these brushes can be safely used on. In particular, I refer to the smaller round brushes. For example, my guess is that the brass brushes are not meant for highly polished finishes.
4. Good enough to clean hard to reach crevices like sliding door tracks (shower doors or patio doors), faucet details, etc.
5. Works well on car wheels. Brake dust is very fine and a pain to clean by hand. Not to mention that the chemicals are often not meant to touch the brake disc surface (I have yet to figure out how splashing water from a hose can be directed only to the wheel and not the brakes within).
6. Steam is the only option for cleaning chemically-prohibited surfaces (I never knew chemical cleaners were not recommended in microwaves!).
CONS:
1. Its loud! Not the machine, but the steam as it comes out of the nozzle. I strongly recommend hearing protection while you use it when indoors. My ears were ringing for about an hour after my first session.
2. Steaming takes time. If you're not opposed to using chemicals, often I find that bleach works as good, if not better, than steam. Compared to 5-10 mins steaming a polished chrome bath fixture to get it sparkling, it took 30 secs using your household bath cleaner with bleach.
3. Steam just doesn't work efficiently on mineral build-up. Chemicals are far more time-efficient. Hard water stains and deposits require lots of time and lots of elbow-grease (scrubbing). And even then, I'm not convinced it was cleaner than using chemicals (i.e., judging from the "gleam" off the surface).
4. The steam pressure is not very high. It isn't very low either, but definnitely not high enough to "blow" debris away more than an inch or two from where the steam jet hits. The best approach seems to loosen with steam then wash away with water or wipe away with sponge. Hence, I don't recommend using this for something like cleaning a car engine where neither wash nor wipe are feasible. (I guess you could steam long enough so that the condensed water from the steam was enough to wash away the gunk on its own, but that would take forever.)
5. It needs time to build up steam pressure while you work. The light is supposed to turn off when it is ready. While in use, the light will come on when the pressure reaches some threshold. Continued use beyond that point without letting it rest means you work with less pressure. When the tank is full of "condensed" water, the light comes on more frequently. As the water is depleted and more volume in the tank can accommodate vapor steam, the light comes on less often.
6. The width of the brushes simply do not permit reaching into 90 degree crevices or those really tight spaces. This is minor, however, but a flat or low-profile brush attachment would have been nice. A medium bristle toothbrush is a nice companion in my cleaning adventures...
Overall, pretty happy with this unit. To be efficient, I've found using a combined balance of chemicals and steam is best. It definitely reduces the amount of chemicals I need to use. For hard-to-reach or delicate surface areas, steam wins outright (with the mentioned toothbrush).


Click Here to see more reviews about: McCulloch MC-1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner

Steam clean like a professional! The McCulloch Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner does it all. Melt away grease and grime from your engine, wheels and chrome accessories. Steam away stains and odors from upholstery, carpeting, floor mats and hard-to-reach places. Steam produced by this cleaner is hot and pressurized. Care must be taken to avoid burns or other injuries. Never point nozzle at people or pets. Please read all instructions prior to using your McCulloch Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner.

Get 36% OFF

Click here for more information about McCulloch MC-1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner

Read More...