Steam Mop/cleaner

[Bugs]

Thinking of buying one but which one do I buy? There's so many on the market. I'm looking for one that does everything, floor, carpets, ovens, bathroom tiles etc. Prices ranges from very reasonable to very expensive. No idea what to look for but don't want to spend a fortune but then I don't want a cheap one that's rubbish either. I would appreciate some advice. Thanks x

[TheWinner]

My advice is : Don't bother.

[ck1]

We recently bought a 'shark', complete waste of money, doesn't do anything that a regular mop doesn't do. Also have a multi-functional steam cleaner with a load of attachments for various surfaces from windows to ovens etc. Also a complete waste of money, it does work quite well but takes so long to use and the results are no better than a cloth and some mr muscle. When the water tank is empty you have to wait about 20 minutes for the pressure in the tank to decrease enough to let you open the tap to refill then another 20 minutes for it to get ready to use again. Need to put a day aside to get anything done!

[woofgang]

I have got this one that is a humdinger for floors. It has an integral scrubber.
Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation
which is very very concentrated. I have got 3 lots of french windows and loads of window windows and one four pint bucket of water with a capful of hg in washes the lot because you don't rinse the window, you vac it off so less dirt goes in the bucket.

[woofgang]

hmm big lump missing. Ignore everything after the first link.
I wrote that in my experience steamers don't clean ovens or grout at all well and this thing does an excellent job on tiles and windows
Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

which is very concentrated.

[woofgang]

arfgh
steamer
Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[woofgang]

for windows and tiles
Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[woofgang]

window washing concentrate
Amazon.co.uk User Recommendation

[jomifl]

We have 2 friends that have bought them,can' remember what makes. They do work but no better than a mop and a bucket of hot water. All the steamer does is transfer water from the tank to the floor. If the substrate being cleaned gets near 100C it will probably be damaged since most furnishings are not intended to be immersed in boilin water..

[Ratty2E]

I use a small handheld steamer that I've had for donkeys to clean my cages but I don't think it's much cop for anything else. Like Woofgang I have a Karcher vac and that gets used everyday on the bathroom tiles and shower screen and this time of year to get the condensation off the bedroom windows. I love the Karcher I've had it from when it first came out and I wouldn't be without it now.

[murraymints]

Wouldn't be without my black and Decker steam mop for all floors....have a hand held vac steamer for Windows tiles etc ....indispensable to me !

[BRIGHT SPARK]

The steam is nowhere hot enough to have any effect.......use a mop and bucket...however if it makes you happy go for it :-)

[EcclesCake]

'steam is nowhere near hot enough'....really???

[Bugs]

A mixed bag of advice. Mostly saying don't bother. Thanks all for your answers.

[BRIGHT SPARK]

Yes eccles...the heat transfer coefficient of steam is very high...as the steam is generated within the main body of the mop...by the time it reaches the business end it condenses back to water.After mopping a small section touch the floor and it will still be cold.

[Purple_Popple]

I have a vax and its great...the floors are hot after application and dries in seconds! :)

[Dizmo]

I've got two H20 X5 mops. We use them for the dog rescue as we can't use chemicals around our pooches. I'll be honest I have mix thoughts about steam cleaners. I'd recommend a steam cleaner to blast away grime and scrut but as far as cleaning carpets with one - don't bother. They work great for moving grease but obviously you then have to remove the excess water and grease off the surface in question. Also great for cleaning pans that have been left on the hob too long and boiled dry.