Well it's not that bad .....yet ;)

Because of other commitments my house has been quite neglected over the past few months.  Whilst 'top surface' day to day essentials such as hoovering and washing have been kept relatively up to date I now have lots of clutter that needs putting into cupboards that need sorting out and cleaning first etc. not to mention the ironing pile that resembles the North face of the Eiger I am itching to get started and will be ready to do so next week (fingers crossed).  What I want to ask is about tiling.  I have floor to ceiling tiling in my bathroom which is white (hate it) and of course the grouting needs a scrub.  I have tiles in the kitchen as well which are ok but could do with the grouting cleaning up as well.  Normally I would just get an old toothbrush and Cif, bleach etc but I have been wondering about a steam cleaner for a while.

Does anyone have a Karcher steam cleaner?  Does it do the tiles and the grouting?  If so what other jobs does it help tackle?

I bought a steam cleaner about a year ago and whilst I think that it is excellent, I find that it is so much bother to get it all out and clean it afterwards, it is easier to just get on with it!  'Cillit Bang' power cleaning crystals are about the best general cleaning crystals I have found and cut the scrubbing time down no end!  I had a de-clutter a few weeks ago, you'll be surprised how good it made me feel after it was done. :)

What about around the cooker hood and dishwasher hinges, the sort of fiddley places?  Would a steam cleaner be more effective and quicker? 

I have a steam cleaner however last time i used it on the tiles it did remove some of the grout in between them, Try Mr Muscle mould and mildew remover, it used to come in a bright green bottle however i think they have changed the packaging, lethal stuff however just spray and leave for a few hours, it really worked when we first moved into our house and had white tiles.

Steam cleaners are great in that they don't use additional chemicals to acheive a clean result.  BUT what they do is move the dirt from one place to another, so you steam then wipe up the dirt that has been moved/grease that has been dissolved etc.

I, like Rac have found Mr Muscles to be the best thing for tiles, a word of warning though make sure you have gloves on and most importantly open as many windows as you can.  I dont know if it can be used on things like taps,it make discolour them.

The thing I like about steam cleaners is that my OH thinks I'm incapable of using it so he does it ..LOL

Roni

My steam cleaner is a godsend!  All of my kitchen is tiled and it's brilliant.  The dogs also live in their and the kitchen smells wonderful afterwards.  Up to now I've had no problems with mine, I wouldn't do without it!

Hi SWD,  what make is it?

I was beginning to think that everyone who had one thought they were waste of space. :D

I love my steamer and the fact that it gets rid of noxious smells (mainly from the hounds and OH:rolleyes:) without using chemicals is a plus point IMO.

I use it for everything, including cleaning my windows because it's got a lovely long hose attachment on it along with others that are useful.

Mine is the earlex steam caddy. I bought it about 2 yrs ago but it's been worth the money.

I've also got a pressure washer for outside and car. At my last house I sprayed the outside wall with it and ended up removing all of the rotten wood window surrounds Have since learned not to play with powerful toys:rolleyes:

lol - we have or rather had a pressure washer.  Mainly used it on the cars but was great for washing the rabbit pee and green mould off the concrete.  someone has somehow split the nozzle so it has no pressure now :(

I think I would steam cleaner as I get fedup/bored with tedius nooks and crannies that need attention.  As for windows, wow, mine leave much to be desired as you can imagine having neglected them for a while.  Kitchen one is bad enough but as for the patio doors that the dog uses to go out there is at least a 6 inch border of nose prints on the inside with about 3 feet worth of muddy marks on the outside.  I have 2 lots of patio doors and fair number of windows (not really a big house but more a tardis).

HP does your steamer have a fine nozzle?

yep, it has a fine nozzle for getting behind and removing all that nasty scum that builds up behind sink taps and other nooks and crannies that you can't get a cloth into ;)

Would a steam cleaner be any good used outside?  On a wooden kennel and slabbed run?

Pressure washer for slabs are excellent but would take the protective stain off wood

I've got a pressure washer but I've also got a whingey neighbour that complains about water going through the fence :rolleyes:

What do they do when it's raining?

They still complain that they're at the bottom of a sloping housing estate and catch everyone's run off.  That was the original moan :rolleyes:  Now it's doggy run off

Whatever next :rolleyes:

Surely it's better for everyone in the vicinity if the concrete is kept clean?  Sorry, but I woudn't take any notice but then I am bolshy over some things.  Put the hose on my neighbour's bonfire one day after it had been smouldering for 3 days.  Gave a big smile and a wave while doing it too.  "Hello, how are you?  you don't mind do you?  I just wanted to put some washing out"  hee hee.  It's the way you tell 'em

:D