Steam Cleaners - worth it?

[beaucoup]

Doing some of the heavier house cleaning lately and wondering if one of those handheld steam cleaner things might make some of the jobs easier?

Do they really work? Or do you have to keep waiting for the steam to build up and just makes the job take too long?

Any recommendations to look at or some to stay away from?

Thought of asking a few friends or neighbors too to see if they have one I could borrow instead.

 

[Cruise]

I bought one years ago and tried it and it just wasn't worth it to me. They may have come along since then, but it just took too long to get good steam going and the area that the steam hit was just too small, so it ended up taking forever. I'd much rather just get into something with some elbow grease and get it done.

I do have a steam mop/floor cleaner that I love and would never go back to a regular mop. But for the handheld steam cleaners, it just wasn't worth the time involved for me.

 

[mickeytattoo95]

Mine sits in the closet and I hardly use it. I bought it for cleaning grout on my kitchen floors and it works beautifully. The problem isn't with the steamer, it's with my lack of motivation to sit on the floor and trace 1 ft squares for half a day.

 

[beaucoup]

I think you both just saved me some money.

 

[TinkrLiz]

I just bought the Shark handheld steamer with all the different attachments today. It's $69 at BJ's here in NY which I thought was a great price. I used the purple wand type attachment today and did a bunch of dusting in my living room. I also went over my entire couch (14 foot long sectional with a big chaise on one end), throw pillows for the couch, curtains and a small area rug that the dogs like to lay on. I like it so far but then I've only had it one day. I had one years ago that I had purchased from HSN on sale. The Shark is much better than the one I had before. It was ready to use quickly and it lasted quite a long time having only filled it once.

I liked the one I had from HSN but misplaced the cap so it was useless since it was a discontinued item and I couldn't get a replacement. When I had the cap I did use it quite a bit so I think I will continue to use the Shark also.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

We bought one and used it and returned it. Found that it only produced enough steam for about 20 minutes of work. Not worth it.

 

[wtrmlnlabs]

I also have the shark hand held. I do like it very much. I could use extra pads for it though. It does a great job on cleaning. We bought a very old camper this year and I found out just how great a job it does, wow! The main downfall is once you turn it on, keep moving. If I stop steaming to go to another area the pad gets wet fast and it doesn't work as well. I just know ahead of time and have everything lined up and ready when I start.

 

[DanceRC28]

Contrary to what some other posters have said, I purchased the Shark handheld steamer last year and ended up returning it. I tried cleaning my kitchen with it- stove, oven, shelves, etc. It made them wet, but didn't take away the grime. I was better off with a bottle of fantastic and a row of paper towels. I also tried it in my shower for the soap scum and found it to be useless there as well. My mom tried it with the same results and we both ended up returning our machines. I would say avoid this one!