Hi,
I would like to get a steam cleaner to help out with some chemicals-free house cleaning but first would like to hear the opinion of someone already using one.
I have seen the the small "penguin" one and for sure it has the advantage of being small and quick to start, handy to the everyday kitchen and toilet cleaning.
But I might also want to clean the toilet and bathroom floor with it and for that a bigger one would be for sure better. Here my question is: if you clean the floor with it do you need to wipe it dry?
I have seen a lot of different Kaercher models. It looks that in the smaller models you must wait quite a while before you can refill the tank and wait again until you have steam ready. Is that so and how long do you really need to wait? Do you feel it is a big disadvantage? Netanttilla sells a HomeTek one which is much cheaper than the Kaercher and you can refill anytime. Also it is not that big and has plenty of accessories. But the cheaper price makes me wonder about the quality...anyone having tried out this one?
Thanks for helping me out!
Steam Cleaners
Re: Steam Cleaners
The HomeTek worked OK to start with but it's been rather unwell after lending it to a friend to strip wallpaper with.
You can get one which has a kinda mop form for that's just for cleaning floors. It costs around 50 euros.
You can get one which has a kinda mop form for that's just for cleaning floors. It costs around 50 euros.
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http://blog.enogastronomist.com | http://blog.enogastronomisti.comRe: Steam Cleaners
Hi!!!
I have a HUGE Karcher and I use it for everything: cleaning the floors, the oven, the garden furniture, windows, stripping wallpaper, cleaning the bath etc, cleaning rugs, steaming textiles (to remove creases). It is NOT in constant use but when I use it I tend to spend the whole day at it. Yes, you do have to wait before you can refill but mine has a huge tank. It also depends on how "wet" the steam is (ie how much water is used). On my model there is a dial so you can choose how wet you want the steam. I use it on dry steam most of the time (fine for the kitchen floor) and the floor dries very quickly (a few minutes). I use wet steam for the oven and then paper towels or an old rag for mopping up the greasy mess.
Would you like to borrow mine for a couple of days and try it out? You probably wouldn't need to buy such a big one (it does take up a lot of space) but K-Rauta, Bauhaus etc stock a good range. I wouldn't buy any Karcher product with a rechargeable battery (like their window cleaner) because they are all rubbish but the steam cleaner is a very low-tech piece of equipment (cocotte-minute on wheels) so nothing much can go wrong. I see no reason why a cheaper brand wouldn't be so good.
(I'll call you on Wednesday)
I have a HUGE Karcher and I use it for everything: cleaning the floors, the oven, the garden furniture, windows, stripping wallpaper, cleaning the bath etc, cleaning rugs, steaming textiles (to remove creases). It is NOT in constant use but when I use it I tend to spend the whole day at it. Yes, you do have to wait before you can refill but mine has a huge tank. It also depends on how "wet" the steam is (ie how much water is used). On my model there is a dial so you can choose how wet you want the steam. I use it on dry steam most of the time (fine for the kitchen floor) and the floor dries very quickly (a few minutes). I use wet steam for the oven and then paper towels or an old rag for mopping up the greasy mess.
Would you like to borrow mine for a couple of days and try it out? You probably wouldn't need to buy such a big one (it does take up a lot of space) but K-Rauta, Bauhaus etc stock a good range. I wouldn't buy any Karcher product with a rechargeable battery (like their window cleaner) because they are all rubbish but the steam cleaner is a very low-tech piece of equipment (cocotte-minute on wheels) so nothing much can go wrong. I see no reason why a cheaper brand wouldn't be so good.
(I'll call you on Wednesday)
Re: Steam Cleaners
Thanks for your replies Mook and Penelope. So that was what I was afraid of: the cheaper HomeTek might turn out to be more expensive in the end. Specially because removing wall paper is on my to-do list! I actually checked them in Kodin1 and the Kaercher look much more solid and robust.
Penelope: how kind of you! Yes, I'd love to try yours
I think that trying one out will help me a lot deciding on which model to buy. They even have those that are steam cleaners and vacuum cleaners (2 in one!), I think they might be a great choice for those not having a vacuum cleaner already. So let's talk on wednesday, looking forward to hear your experienced opinion 
Penelope: how kind of you! Yes, I'd love to try yours
I think that trying one out will help me a lot deciding on which model to buy. They even have those that are steam cleaners and vacuum cleaners (2 in one!), I think they might be a great choice for those not having a vacuum cleaner already. So let's talk on wednesday, looking forward to hear your experienced opinion Re: Steam Cleaners
If you plan to buy a Kärcher and you are ok with buying online,
have a look at German shops. I don't remember the exact model
and the exact prices but when I checked about a month ago it was
something like what you can buy here in Finland for about 150-160€
you can get from Germany for 90€ + 25€ shipping.
have a look at German shops. I don't remember the exact model
and the exact prices but when I checked about a month ago it was
something like what you can buy here in Finland for about 150-160€
you can get from Germany for 90€ + 25€ shipping.
Maxxfi