Just what do you want to do with it?
Sep 25 '00
I got my workout for the day. I steam cleaned the carpet in my 17x21 family room. The carpet is cleaner and I'm exhausted! It didn't used to be this way. My old steam-cleaner was so much easier to use. It died a few years ago - old age (about 12 years) and much use (white carpet, one dog 2 boys, need I say more?). Every time I clean the carpets with the replacement, I miss it. Thank goodness the white carpets are long gone! The current model was a mistake - one I intend to correct once I decide exactly which model I want.
Do you want a workout or a clean carpet?
There are two basic types of full-sized steam cleaners - upright and canister. There may be easy to use uprights, but I'm certainly not impressed with the model I bought. First, it's heavier than my old canister model. I should have noticed that when I needed help putting the box in my cart at the warehouse store where I bought it.
If you buy an upright, skip the warehouse place and go somewhere with CARPET so you can push it around for 15 minutes or so. You can quit sooner if your arms start to hurt. I'm not kidding, don't just roll it around a little, and don't worry about what other folks are thinking. If it feels heavy after 15 minutes when it's empty, it will feel MUCH heavier by the time you finish cleaning that first carpet. If you still want it and if the warehouse place has a better price, make absolutely certain you're getting the same model when you get there.
Example: Hoover has manufactured a minimum of 3 different models with the name "Hoover Supreme". Two are reviewed by various people on Epinions. Mine is not, perhaps they no longer make it. If you see model 5825 -- don't buy it. I thought I knew what I was buying, because the name was the same. WRONG! I should have taken it right back, but I thought the differences were unimportant. I won't make that mistake again.
If your arms aren't thoroughly exhausted after pushing the uprights around, go over to the canister type steam cleaners and push the cleaning wand around for a while. Notice the difference in the weight? I thought so. It should feel MUCH lighter. Yes, the canister part may well weigh more than the upright, but you aren't dragging that weight all over the room, just moving it a few feet at a time as you move from section to section.
What else should I look at?
Brushes: If you are primarily planning to clean carpet, the next thing to consider is whether or not to get a cleaner with a rotating brush. Now that you've considered for a moment - get the cleaner with brushes! Your carpets will be much cleaner with much less effort. That's right, I blew it on that point too, so I speak from experience.
Power: You also need to consider the suction power of the beast. If it can spout 3 quarts/minute, but only drink one, you're looking at trouble. Soggy carpets are no fun! At least my current steam cleaner scores well on that point.
Capacity: I had to empty the collection canister and fill the water container 4 times while cleaning a 17x21 foot room. I didn't even move the sofa or the large cabinets, so knock off a few feet for those. If you have large rooms, or several that will need to be cleaned often, go for larger capacity. Trust me, you won't regret it.
Ease of cleanup: If you can't stick the business end under the faucet to rinse it, you won't be happy. OK, if you don't have pets, that might not apply. I spent 20 minutes taking my steam cleaner apart to remove clogs of German Shepherd fur -- you know, that annoying fuzzy undercoat that gets into EVERYTHING. Yes, I vacuumed thoroughly before cleaning. You just can't get that fur out of the depths until you get out the steam cleaner. With my old steam cleaner, I could just run water through the cleaning wand -- all done!
Accessories: If you have steps, a car, or upholstered furniture, that stair/upholstery cleaner accessory is an essential. Alternatively, you could skip that if it costs extra and get one of those hand-held small spot jobs. Just make sure that whichever you get, it has rotating brushes. I can't say enough about the difference those make in ease and thoroughness of cleaning.
Heating: Does it heat the water, or at least keep it hot? If it has a small capacity, that simply isn't an issue, but for larger capacity steam cleaners, this may help get the far end of the room as clean as the near end. My old canister type cleaner lacked this feature, but I could move so much faster with it than with the current model, that it was only a problem something interrupted me midway through a cleaning.
Durability: Check out Epinions, and of course Consumer reports on this issue - but also look at the equipment. There are 2 basic issues - how long will the motors (spray pump and suction motor) last, and how sturdy is the machine itself? Are the plastic parts sturdy? Do things fit together easily, or are you likely to snap something off while assembling it?
Non-carpeted floors: Some steam cleaners also claim to clean tile, linoleum, or hardwood floors. Mine does. I tried it - once. Perhaps there are models that work better, but give me a mop any day! I wouldn't pay extra just to get a model that made this claim. It got the floor clean, but was far less efficient than the old-fashioned method.
Price: Get the best steam cleaner you can afford. You'll have it a long time. That doesn't necessarily mean spending a fortune, there are some very reasonably priced steam cleaners out there -- and there are always sales. Appliances generally go on sale in January, so start researching models now. Don't pay extra for features you won't use. Don't make your decision strictly on price. Divide the difference in price by 10 (it should last at least that long) and decide if it's still significant on a yearly basis. Keep in mind that if your choice makes you miserable, you're likely to be in the market a lot sooner -- I am.
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Epinions.com ID:
jgibson2
|
 - Top 1000 |
|
Location: Maryland
Reviews written: 78
Trusted by: 99 members
About Me:
Give blood! Someone else needs it more than you do. 1-800-Give-life
|
|
|
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.