Handheld Steam Cleaner and Vax Steam Mop S7 2-in-1 Upright and Genuine Velcro Microfibre Cleaning Pads (Type 1) Bundle

Vax Steam Mop S7 2-in-1 Upright and Handheld Steam Cleaner and Genuine Velcro Microfibre Cleaning Pads (Type 1) Bundle

 

Why so many good reviews?
By Frederique Robert
I have never owned a steamer before but I remember my sister owning one years ago and I was always very impressed at what hers could do, leaving her floors shiny and the rest of the house a doddle to clean. I received my steamer very quickly and was very excited to play with my new toy! I got it out of the box straight away and put it together fairly easily. It heats up very quickly and is ready to use right away.
I started to clean the floor tiles in my corridor. Those are Italian tiles with an uneven finish. They are a nightmare to clean with the normal mop and I was really hoping this would simplify the task. It didn't and I could hardly see the difference after having cleaned them once. Unless I held the switch for constant steam it didn't glide properly on the floor. This ended up making my floor very wet, just as what it would be with a mop. It also left my floor looking dull and kind of sticky.
I then tried it on my smooth kitchen tiles and it did an okay job but I still had to scrub some of the stains by hand. Again left my floor looking dull, lacking shine. I found the handle quite short and although I am only 5"4, I felt I was slightly leaning over it making it uncomfortable for my back.

Feeling a little disappointed, but not beaten yet, I thought I would try the other tools included. I found removing the handle and mop head quite difficult as I have long nails and the nipple you have to push in is small and stiff. I had to get my daughter to help me press it down whilst I twisted the handle to disengage it. Already I was seriously put off as I couldn't go through this hassle every time I want to swap attachments.
Still not yet deterred, I tried to scrape some cooked on fat off a roasting tin to no avail.
Tried on the oven door, no better.
Tried the metal attachment to clean the oven grills - nothing much happened.
After a couple of hours of trying it on things I would use it on, I was completed deflated and decided it wasn't for me.
I also found holding the tank on my shoulder but still having to press the steam trigger a little uncomfortable as my arm seem to be going back at an uneasy angle. (maybe I have short arms)
Maybe my expectations were too high and I did expect to have to do some scrubbing but not to that extent.
I repacked it and sent it back.
I have since cleaned burned on food on a pan with white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda soaking it overnight and it came off with the same amount of scrubbing I did with the steamer. I am still looking for my ideal steam cleaner, so if you can recommend a brilliant one, let me know!

713 of 766 people found the following review helpful.
More substantial than the Thane X5
By S. Rupp
I borrowed a Thane X5 Steam Mop from a friend to see if I would get on with them before I bought one, and although it did the job I was a little worried about the flimsiness of the handle. When I was maneuvering it round bends, the handle was bending and I was concerned it may snap. The reviews of the Vax mop said the handle was strong and firm, and they are right.

I bought this in an Amazon flash sale for £54 which is much better value that the Thane at £99. It is a little heaver but I assume that's because its better made. The instructions were a little vague regarding how to attach the nozzles for the hand held function but I worked it out myself. I have used the hand-held for cleaning my oven and shower and its a bit hard on the fingers holding the button down when doing a lengthy job.

My oven was in a poor state and scouring it with brillo pads didn't make much impact, but the small scraper and wire brush on the steam cleaner have transformed it. It isn't a miracle machine; I had to take my time and work on a small area at a time, but the shine is finally back after 9 years!

As far as the mop goes, I expected the velcro pad to self- attach like the X5 but it doesn't, you just put the mop on top of it and set off. I expected it to come off whilst mopping, but it doesn't, it remains in place no matter how hard I pushed it about. The mop lifted dried on food and marks off my kitchen wooden floor really easily- I would have to scrub by hand when using a standard mop. Most of my rooms downstairs have wooden floors (hall, large kitchen Diner, bathroom, conservatory, utility) and I can whip round them on less than a tank of water. Its impossible to empty the water tank, as mentioned in a previous review but I dont think it will be an issue. The floors are not left dry, but much drier than when using a normal mop and bucket, and no streaks. I have not used it on windows yet, but I have been advised that I will have to wipe them down with a cloth as I go, to prevent drips and streaks, but it gets them nice and clean apparently.
I wanted spare velcro pads so looked on the Vax spares website but did not find them listed, so got them from Amazon.
Overall, I am glad I bought the Vax over the Thane, its much better made.
29 of 31 people found the following review helpful.
Wonderful steamer. Very light to use
By Tammi Cohen
Wonderful steamer. Very light to use. Only draw back is that you have to hold the button in all the time you're using it. That's only a problem if you have arthritis as I do. Otherwise it's great. I haven't used the hand held part yet so I can't comment on that.
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