Black & Decker ScumBuster S500 - Scrubbing Made Easy
Written: Sep 08 '03 (Updated Sep 08 '03)
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Pros: Many attachments, nice grip, fully submersible, storage/ caddy
Cons: Doesn't get into corners well
The Bottom Line: Handy cordless wet scrubber, that does a variety of indoor and outdoor cleaning jobs. Lots of attachments, and convenient storage/carrying caddy.
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| amyk49's Full Review: Black & Decker S500 ScumBuster Handheld Vacuum |
Anything that will help make cleaning easier is a good thing, and I'm glad I discovered the Black & Decker ScumBuster S500 because I've been having a great time cleaning with this handy appliance.
~ Product Description
The Black & Decker ScumBuster S500 is a cordless power scrubber that will do a wide variety of cleaning jobs. Since it is fully submersible, you can even use it above and below water lines.
The ScumBuster has various attachments that fit onto the rotating head, to allow for scrubbing and cleaning of many surfaces. The ScumBuster spins at a speed range of 120-180 RPM's, which allows for serious cleaning, yet limits the amount of splattering of water and cleaning solutions. And it does work, because I've noticed very little splattering.
The Black & Decker ScumBuster S500 is powered by the VersaPak Interchangeable Battery System. This is simply a battery stick that you first charge in the included charger unit, then install the battery into the ScumBuster. When the battery runs low, place it in the charger for about 3 hours, and you're ready to go again.
The battery charger is a small unit that plugs into any normal electrical outlet. The battery fits easily into the charger. Typical run time on a full battery charge is about 30 minutes.
Here's what you get with the Black & Decker ScumBuster S500:
Included inside the handy storage caddy, in addition to the battery, charger, and the ScumBuster unit, are these attachments and accessories:
~ Wide Area Bristle Brush - for aggressive cleaning on larger areas such as ceramic tile walls, floors, backsplash, fiberglass and hard plastic surfaces.
~ Disc Attachment - Adaptor to be used with the scrub and sponge pads. The pads attach to this adaptor with Velcro, and attach securely and easily.
~ Mild Scrub Pad - For softer scrubbing of larger surfaces like ceramic tile and porcelain, or enamel tubs and sinks.
~ Coarse Scrub Pad - For aggressive scrubbing of larger surfaces.
~ Heavy Duty Pad - For aggressive scrubbing on large surfaces such as barbecue grill grates.
~ Spiral Wheel Brush - For scrubbing in hard to reach areas such as hubcaps, or odd-shaped areas.
~ Sponge Pad with Mesh Covering - For washing and scrubbing automotive headlights, bumpers, and grills. But you shouldn't use this on vinyl, wood or simulated wood, metalized plastic, trim, decals or flat paint. This is the softest attachment.
~ Shampoo Brush - This is for spot cleaning carpet.
~ Nap Lifter - For raising carpet pile.
~ Cleaning Solution - A small bottle of carpet cleaning solution
~ My Experience
The first thing I wanted to use the ScumBuster on was my kitchen tile. I have a textured tile on the countertop and I really have to scrub it to get it clean.
After initially charging the battery for six hours, I popped the battery into the ScumBuster and attached the wide area bristle brush. I sprayed some cleaning solution on the tile and began scrubbing. Wow! How cool - the Black & Decker ScumBuster S500 did most of the work for me. I had to remind myself not to press down hard and just let the ScumBuster do its job. There was virtually no splattering of water or cleaning solution, and the brush did a great job of getting into the texture of my tile. I did all of my countertop and the backsplash, which is quite a lot. The ScumBuster was still going strong after about 20 minutes or so.
Next I tried it on some carpet spots. I didn't use the included cleaning solution, though. I used another spray-on carpet cleaner that I like. I attached the carpet shampoo brush, and scrubbed the spot. It worked fantastic! Usually I just rub the spot with a sponge or a paper towel, but the ScumBuster really scrubbed that spot and got the cleaner into the carpet fibers. And it was so much easier letting the ScumBuster do all the hard work.
While it still seemed like the battery was fine after about 30 minutes, I put the battery back on the charger anyway, just to keep it charged up.
Another time I tried the heavy duty pad on the barbeque, again with wonderful results. I used it on the plates underneath the grate, which I usually have to scrub like the dickens. The Black & Decker ScumBuster S500 really made short work of that job, much to my delight.
I've also used the ScumBuster on my bathroom tub and tile, and it makes cleaning the bathroom so much easier.
~ Things to Note
The button to operate is conveniently located where your index finger grips underneath the handle. Press it for On, and it stays on until you press again.
I really love the rubberized feel and grip of the ScumBuster. It is easy and comfortable to hold, even when wet. It's not extremely heavy, but not exactly light either. If you were doing a very large job on a vertical wall, it might get heavy toward the end. But thus far weight hasn't been an issue for me.
To change attachments you need to do a quick turn and twist to remove the adaptor. This took me a few times to get the hang of. But once you get the feel for it, then it's easy. The pads attach to the adaptor with Velcro, so they are simple to switch out.
The cleaning pads and attachments should just be rinsed out or washed by hand in the sink with soap or detergent. They are kind of like sponges. So far I haven't had any problem getting the pads fairly clean. Replacement pads are available as well, however.
You can use any ordinary household cleaning solution that you would normally use for a particular task with the ScumBuster.
One picky thing - the storage caddy is very convenient and has a handle so you can carry it around if you want. But it seems like the attachments don't all fit very well. There's no particular place for each item, and I end up kind of jamming everything in. But it works.
The only other complaint is that the tile brush/pads don't allow you to get into corners or where the countertop meets at the backsplash. I wish the brush were splayed out more and extended further past the Scumbuster so that it would get into those corners.
While I haven't tried it yet, the ScumBuster should work well for outdoor patio furniture, and numerous other indoor and outdoor cleaning jobs.
Replacement pads, brushes and kits are available at local retailers, or by calling 1-800-54-HOW-TO.
~ Final Thoughts
I'm very pleased with the Black & Decker ScumBuster S500. It's just what I needed for my textured kitchen tile. The ScumBuster does all the elbow work for you. It's a versatile cleaning tool, that does a wide variety of indoor and outdoor cleaning jobs. A three-hour battery charge holds well, for 30 minutes or more, which is usually plenty for most cleaning tasks. The carrying caddy is handy for storage. It just tends to miss a little bit in the corners, but overall it's made my cleaning chores much easier.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): $38.00
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