Does anyone have a steam cleaner?

[DocRafiki]

I've been thinking about getting one for a while but haven't shopped for one. Now I'm watching an info-mercial and am getting pretty close to picking up that phone (never ordered something off of TV before). I am getting into a serious cleaning binge here lately and have especially been looking for a good way to clean the tile grout on the floor.

What kind do you have, and what is it really useful for?

 

[Kallison]

Hi Doc, I broke down in a moment of infomercial weakness and ordered the Steam Buggy. Usually I want every item I see but manage to resist!

It is just OK, you can live without it though. I haven't had mine out in a long time. It does not work on the grout like it says it does. It is really helpful in getting in tight spaces and blowing stuff out, like the shower door. It is great for cleaning those little knobby things on the back of the toilet bowl. Here is aproblem, you can't turn it off and on so once it starts steaming you have to keep going till the end. I usually work near a sink so I can throw it in while I'm wiping. You'll go through a ton of paper towels. It was good for cleaning out blinds and lawn furniture nook and crannies in the spring. I probably only take it out three or four times per year. I'm sure if I wasn't working I would use it more. When I was a SAHM I was obsessed with cleaning all the time. I'm much more lax now.

 

[DocRafiki]

well shoot, the grout was the big thing i needed it for. oh well, i went ahead and ordered this scunci thing (aren't they the same people that make cheap hair accessories?). if you can actually steam your clothes like it says you can, it will definitely be worth it, even if it doesn't clean grout. ah well, it sounds like i will get some use out of it. this house is 20+ years old and didn't get a thorough cleaning before i moved in, so those nooks & crannies around the doors, tubs, toilet etc are asking for it.

that no on/off thing sounds annoying. i wonder if they're all like that. hmmm

 

[ennazus]

I have a steam buggy also. Yes, you can live without it. LOL It's a hassle to hall out. I'm guessing the scunci steam machine will be nicer in that area as it's not this huge honking thing.

I love to clean my washing machine with the steam machine. All that soapy junk that gets on the rim & top of the washing machine just zips off!

I don't have tile, so I can't advise on that.

 

[CBRorBust]

My SIL has a steam buggy that she just *had* to have. Needless to say....she doesn't use it very often. When she does use it, she likes it, she just thinks it's more of a hassle than what it's worth.

My mom on the other hand has a steam cleaner that looks just like a vaccum, and she loves that thing! She uses it all the time to get the dirt out of the carpets that gets drug in from outside. I have no idea what kind it is.. sorry!

 

[Kallison]

The cleaner Kaboom works well on grout without the smell. Target carries it. Sometimes I use Cascade dishwasher detergent the thick white kind. Just pour it on and leave it there, you can leave it for hours. I try not to let it dry because then it is a pain to get off. If you get it on the floor of the shower stall be REALLY careful, because it is VERY, VERY slick!! I fell on my **** once getting in the shower to clean it. Not a pretty sight! Now I crawl in on my hands and knees (also not a pretty sight!)

 

[DocRafiki]

ooh I want a carpet steamer, too. I wonder if there's an all-in-one product.

I'll have to look into that Kaboom. I only have tile on the floor, not the walls. Does it work the same? My grout's pretty thick, maybe a cm wide. I'm still hoping the steamer works on it.

 

[cassie]

I have a steamer that I bought from QVC. It looked liked it works great on the show. Unfortunately, I have never used it I'm waiting for a spurt in energy