Steam Cleaners

[Oleanda]

Has anyone out there had any experience with steam cleaners? I keep seeing them advertised lately claiming to clean everything from car engines to sofas. Are they any good?

[brawburd]

I've only ever used a fairly expensive one (about �400) which I borrowed from a friend. It was terrific, especially on tiles, the oven and fiddly bits around the house (like cooker knobs) - all with relative ease. I have been put off buying a cheaper version in case they don't work as well with less power, and cannae afford the dearer one!

[WendyW]

A friend of mine has one of the cheaper ones and she says it is brilliant ... I must try borrowing it !!

[Worker]

I bought a mid-range one and it works ok but I wouldn't use it on grease again. It simply turns it into a white frothy gunge. For the oven it may still be better to buy an oven cleaner.

[DavidUK]

We bought a very expensive one last year costing hundreds of �'s. I though "great", now my wife won't fill every available cupboard and drawer with every cleaning product known to man. But, it has been sitting unused in the garage for several months now! I suppose the problem is it's just not as convenient as a small bottle of something. Also, you have to be careful not melt plastics etc. (or your hands!).

[Oleanda]

Thankyou everyone. Does anyone know what they're like on upholstery?