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Member since 1/20/04
Posts: 430
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Posted on: 3/12/07 1:49 PM ET
I realize that the claims made by the expensive ones probably do not equate to reality but I am wondering if anyone has one and if they like it.

Mostly I'm needing it for bathroom cleaning (scum and mold) and other hard surface cleaning. Reading indicates that they would be perfect for this.

So, practically speaking, anyone have any opinions/advice/commentary?

TIA
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Bridget

It's funny how dogs and cats know the inside of folks better than other folks do, isn't it?
- Eleanor H. Porter, Pollyanna, 1912
  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 1134
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Posted on: 3/12/07 2:08 PM ET
are you talking about a steamer? it shoots steam, and that's how you clean? if so, i have a little one (i think it's a eureka power shot), and i LOVE it. i don't have a problem with mold and scum in my bathrooms, but it cleans the toilets like no one's business. the toilet my boys use? clean! no lingering pee smell. cleans the grout in the bathroom and the kitchen great. it's the only thing i use to clean the tile in the kitchen. i always felt cleaners left a film or residue, and the steamer doesn't.

i've cleaned my cooktop with it (gas jenn-air), and am looking at doing my oven (ancient old one that doesn't self-clean). i really like that it gets things clean without using chemicals and cleaners. takes up paint splatters and stickers like buttah.

yes, i love mine.
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Linda

Girls do not dress for boys. They dress for themselves, and of course, each other. If girls dressed for boys, they’d just walk around naked at all times.
-- Betsey Johnson


http://mamafitz.blogspot.com
  
Member since 1/20/04
Posts: 430
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Posted on: 3/12/07 2:26 PM ET
That's exactly what I'm talking about. Thanks for the report!
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Bridget

It's funny how dogs and cats know the inside of folks better than other folks do, isn't it?
- Eleanor H. Porter, Pollyanna, 1912
  
Member since 4/8/02
Posts: 3623
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Posted on: 3/12/07 9:33 PM ET
In reply to mamafitz
Mamafitz!
I got one because you mentioned on another thread how much you liked yours.
It arrived Friday. I got the steamfast275 off ebay, refurbished (gotta save for a new washer/dryer).

I had been trying to get water spots off the shower with all kinds of chemicals and they did not work. Once the fumes were so strong that I almost fainted! I am sort of allergic to stuff like that...
Anyway, it was kind of bizzare...chunks of water build up were coming off, reminded me of melted dove soap or cake frosting! It looks completely different now.

I did not try the toilet. Well, the outside but not the water ring inside. I have been taking pumice stones to it. Its so tedious, scratch, scratch, scratch and only a little tiny bit comes off...its not completely cleaning water spots, the pumice will in tiny little scratch marks but the steamer isn't. It takes off the major stuff piled on, but not the spots themselves.

Are you soaking yours first? I got the black off some alumium cookie sheets and the microwave corners, real easy. I wish it would get these hard water deposits off enough for me to polish them with some wax or oil and then never let them occur.

Maybe you have a better one that I do?
Oh...I read that people who have birds like these...to clean and sanitize their cages without killing the bird with fumes!
Mine doubles as a fabric steamer and it says it will take off wallpaper. I am going after the lawn furniture and car wheels next.
Unless you have a solution for these water spots!
I think these things are wonderful. Alot less time, no chemicals...


-- Edited on 3/12/07 9:34 PM --
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"What you WANT is irrelevant, what you've CHOSEN is at hand." --Mr. Spock
  
Member since 7/28/04
Posts: 3233
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Posted on: 3/12/07 10:46 PM ET
I think you can also call Stanley Steamer to come in to your home and clean tile and showers with steam (different equipmnet than the carpet steamer).

I think the industrial models work even better...that's what it used for really grody public bathrooms...yuck!

I'm a clean freak...I think I need one of these steamers. Does it harm the grout? I just had new caulking done in the shower...it looks brand new. We are getting this house ready to put on the market. Once grout gets holes in it, you really can't clean it.
  
Member since 2/28/05
Posts: 2181
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Posted on: 3/13/07 1:07 AM ET
In reply to SansSouci572
Sounds like you have hard water deposits all over -- have you tried CLR? Try to apply it full strength to the problem areas .... I use a towel or cotton ball to hold the stuff on the stain for a period of time.

I also have a steamer and love it --- grout, shower doors, all around the toilet and nothing beats the steamer from getting cooking grease out of all the nooks and crannies on the stove top.

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2012 : starting stash 386, net additions 206, used 164, ending stash 428...I'm never going to get in front of this pile of fabric!
  
Member since 1/20/04
Posts: 430
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Posted on: 3/13/07 10:18 AM ET
I may have to cave and buy one. I'm procrastinating cleaning the bathroom b/c I know I will not be able to get all the corners spotless. Obviously I'm a bit of a perfectionist about this (or just using it for a good excuse ;)).
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Bridget

It's funny how dogs and cats know the inside of folks better than other folks do, isn't it?
- Eleanor H. Porter, Pollyanna, 1912
  
Member since 8/24/02
Posts: 13492
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Posted on: 3/13/07 11:27 AM ET
In reply to SansSouci572
What kind of water capacity is it best to look for? It seems to me that the tiniest ones would need to be refilled all the time, and on the other hand, you don't want to be schlepping five gallons of water around with you, right?
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Elona
  
Member since 4/8/02
Posts: 3623
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Posted on: 3/13/07 2:48 PM ET
In reply to KathiRank
No...I have not heard of that one!
Yes, I have water spots everywhere! I was thinking of grinding up a pumice stone somehow and turning it into a comet paste, as this little stone is awkward.
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"What you WANT is irrelevant, what you've CHOSEN is at hand." --Mr. Spock
  
Member since 4/8/02
Posts: 3623
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Posted on: 3/13/07 3:17 PM ET
In reply to Elona
Mine holds 3 cups and lasts for 45 minutes to an hour.

The mid-range ones last 2 hours. TOL is the ladybug, which allergy people use, and they are over a grand. I sure would like one of those! What I read too, is that the very best ones are from Italy. (Think espresso experts)

From Amazon and epionions I gathered that you don't want one of those small ones at all. Mid-range is $400, and its best if you get a stainless steel boiler.
But I need to get a washing machine, a fuel pump, a printer,a laundry list, literally. I figured later I'd get a better one. There are some $30 ones, and most reviews said don't buy.

This one an aluminum boiler, not steel, unfortunately. But I would think it'd last a few years. Later I will get a deluxe one.

The one I purchased are usually around $100 on Amazon. Mine came to $85 with the shipping because I got a refurbished one, with the same warranty as a brand new one. He also gave me a free shipping coupon for the next item I buy from him, and he sells alot of sewing stuff, like presses.

Mine did not wreck any grout. I think because its this real soft vapor that you could just go lightly on new grout. Its softer than steam.
If its something really horrid, like stain on an oven, you use steel brushes on the end of it, like a vaccume.
Its not working that well on my oven, I too have an old fashioned one. But it did get the black off the microwave/convection. Go figure. Maybe I will soak the oven with amonia (how do you spell that, anyway) and then finish it off with the steamer. It sure saves alot of time! And I could never get to these crevices, unless I was to undo plumbing, walls, etc.
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"What you WANT is irrelevant, what you've CHOSEN is at hand." --Mr. Spock
  
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