Studies conducted in the laboratories of leading international cleaning companies unambiguously show high efficiency and absolute safety of cleaning surfaces using steam. If numerous bacteria and harmful microorganisms gradually adapt to various detergents, then high-temperature steam supplied to the surface being cleaned under high pressure kills up to 99.99% of all viruses and microorganisms harmful to human health. Users who use such products in everyday life, in their reviews of Karcher steam cleaners, note their high efficiency in combating pollution of various types.
A little about the manufacturer
The German company Karcher was founded in the now distant 1935. Today it is one of the largest manufacturers of equipment for cleaning, cleaning and washing, both professional and domestic use. The company has been developing and manufacturing steam cleaners for more than 20 years. Many years of experience and constant updating of the model range, using innovative technologies, have allowed the company to become a sales leader in this segment of household equipment. Among the wide variety of such devices, which are very widely represented on the market, it is Karcher steam cleaners that are most popular and in demand, according to reviews of numerous users. And the five-year warranty that the manufacturer provides for all devices in this category indicates the quality and reliability of these products.
Device and principle of operation
The principle of operation of the steam cleaner is quite simple. Its main part is the boiler. Normal water is poured into it, with the help of electric heating elements it is converted into steam with a temperature of about 140-150 degrees (such a high temperature ensures its low humidity). Passing through hoses and spray nozzles, the steam is cooled to a temperature of about 110-120 degrees, which is quite enough to dissolve any contaminants from the surface being cleaned and to destroy almost all viruses, bacteria, microbes and other harmful microorganisms.
According to the design of the boiler and the principle of heating, the company produces two types of steam cleaners:
- The boiler and the water tank are one. To replenish the tank, such products must be turned off, unscrew the tight plug, add water and put the plug in place.
- With flowing heating elements. For such devices, the water tank has a removable structure. It is possible to replenish water in such a tank during the process of work (simply periodically topping it up to the required level).
In their reviews of Karcher steam cleaners for the home, users do not give preference to one design or another. Both effectively cope with the main tasks. The second (of the above structures) is preferable for those who are going to wash a room of a large area at a time. At the same time, the cleaning efficiency (at the same power and steam pressure) increases only due to the saving of time required for the next heating of the liquid to the operating temperature after replenishing the tank.
What to wash with a steam cleaner
In numerous reviews of Karcher steam cleaners, users claim (and very unambiguously) that these devices can effectively clean:
- floors made of natural or artificial stone, ceramic tiles, laminate, parquet, linoleum, PVC tiles and other hard flooring;
- taps, mixers, sinks and sinks;
- bathtubs and showers;
- tiles, windows and mirrors;
- furniture;
- countertops (polymer, metal, laminated and so on);
- cookers, hobs and cooker hoods;
- internal and external elements of the car;
- as well as other hard surfaces in the house.
And although steam cleaners do not have the function of absorbing dirty liquids (unlike steam cleaners), it is quite possible to refresh carpets, carpet or upholstered furniture with their help. The steam generated by these devices has even less humidity than the air around us. Therefore, with its moderate use, you will not harm fleecy surfaces.
Judging by the reviews about the Karcher steam cleaners, the price of these convenient devices is quite justified (from 3,500 rubles for SC1 in the minimum configuration to 33,500 rubles for SC5 in the maximum). The funds spent on the acquisition will pay off with the quality of cleaning, as well as simple and easy to use.
Key Benefits of Steam Cleaning
Users note that the main advantages of cleaning using steam cleaners (compared to conventional wet cleaning with mops, rags, detergents, buckets and water) are:
- High efficiency. The combination of high temperature, pressure and speed of steam supply to the surface to be cleaned makes it possible to easily remove various types of contaminants.
- Environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic as the cleaning process itself, and treated surfaces (which is very important if the family has small children or people with various allergic diseases). A distinctive feature is that for the production of work you need only steam (no chemical cleaners). Even for easier removal of solid formations (for example, limescale or scale), the manufacturer recommends pre-wetting only with organic means (acetic or citric acid). Many are attracted to this particular aspect.
- High operational safety. In all models without exception, a steam supply blocking system is installed (this is done to prevent children from accidentally turning it on).
- Energy Efficiency. Innovative technologies, patented know-how and design features of nozzles used in Karcher steam cleaners allow energy savings of up to 25% compared to using similar products from other manufacturers.
- Versatility and versatility.
Main technical characteristics of Karcher steam cleaners
The main technical characteristics of Karcher steam cleaners are:
- power consumption: from 1200 to 2200 W;
- maximum vapor pressure: from 3 to 4.2 bar;
- water tank capacity: from 0.2 to 1.5 liters;
- productivity (surface area that can be cleaned without replenishment with water): from 20 to 150 m²;
- heating time to working condition: from 0.5 to 6.5 minutes;
- weight (without additional accessories, water and installed brushes): from 1.58 to 6 kg.
The lineup
The range of household steam cleaners is able to satisfy the request of each customer and consists of five models. They are all denoted by the Latin letters SC (steam cleaner - steam cleaner). The following is a number (from 1 to 5), which determines the model number: the larger it is, the more powerful, functional and, naturally, more expensive the device. If the brand name contains the abbreviation EasyFix, this means that the delivery kit includes an improved floor cleaner. On the outside of such brushes there are special lamellas that provide longer contact of the steam with the surface being cleaned. According to users, this increases the speed and efficiency of cleaning.
The English word Premium (if it is present in the name of the device) informs the potential buyer that the product is fully equipped with all the necessary additional accessories (up to a special means for descaling from the internal surfaces of the boiler).
In top products from the Karcher brand, the word Iron can also be found. That is, the delivery set of such a device also includes a high-performance steam iron.
According to reviews, Karcher SC steam cleaners are marked very informatively. So, for example, for a user who is at least superficially acquainted with the main technical indicators, it is clear that Karcher SC4 EasyFix Premium Iron is a model of the upper price range, with maximum equipment (with a steam iron and an advanced floor brush). And Karcher SC2 is an entry-level device as standard.
Options and accessories
Depending on the class of a particular model (Standard, EasyFix or Premium), the steam cleaner kit consists of:
- the device itself with a boiler installed in it, a water tank and heating elements;
- a steam hose with a gun on which a steam supply lever is mounted;
- extension tubes (usually 2 x 0.5 m each);
- nozzles for cleaning the floor (regular or advanced);
- spot nozzle for cleaning crevices and in inaccessible places;
- nozzles for manual cleaning;
- round brushes (small and large);
- special brush for carpets;
- nozzles for washing windows, glasses and mirrors;
- replaceable microfiber cloths (or terry) for attaching to the appropriate nozzles.
Buyers note in the reviews, Karcher steam cleaners are easy to understaff with one or another device that the caring manufacturer offers as additional accessories.
The smallest representative of a large family
The range of Karcher steam cleaners opens with the compact compact product SC1. This "baby" weighing only 1.58 kg is designed specifically for the operational cleaning of small rooms. Numerous users in reviews of Karcher SC 1 note its undeniable advantages. With its more than modest dimensions (321X127X186 mm, which allows you to store it even in one of the compartments of the kitchen table), it has quite impressive technical characteristics:
- power - 1200 W;
- maximum steam pressure - 3 bar;
- productivity - 20 m².
The measuring cup included in the delivery will help to fill in the extremely necessary amount of water. It is noted in the responses and additional ease of use - a bag for storing accessories. In the starting configuration, this device costs about 3,500 rubles.
Compared to the standard model, the Karcher SC 1 Premium steam cleaner, according to user reviews, is more versatile and functional. The FloorKit kit included in its composition, consisting of a nozzle for cleaning the floor, extension tubes (2 by 0.5 m) and a cleaning terry cloth, allows you to quickly and easily turn the product into a convenient steam mop. Such a device already costs about 5,500 rubles.
For information! A set of additional fabric napkins (5 pieces: 2 for the floor and 3 for the hand nozzle) can be purchased separately for 800-900 rubles.
The main disadvantage that users note in their reviews of the Karcher SC 1 steam cleaner: you have to keep the power button on while you work. Of course, this is done for security reasons. For example, if you accidentally drop the device or put it on the table, the steam supply automatically stops.
The weight of the device itself is only 1580 grams. But, adding to this figure 200 ml of water and a lot of extension tubes, it will turn out to be a rather difficult device, which for some representatives of the better half of humanity to hold for a long time in their hands during the cleaning process is very tiring. Therefore, for cleaning rooms of medium or large area, it is better to purchase a more expensive and powerful product that is placed on the floor in working condition, and only the nozzles used are in the user's hands.
Most popular models
The Karcher SC 1020 steam cleaner, which has become very popular among Russian consumers, has been replaced by the SC2 model. Having a similar power (1500 W) and a maximum vapor pressure (3.2 bar), the new product has a significant advantage. Thanks to the improved design of the boiler, the heating time decreased from 8 minutes to 6.5. In reviews of the Karcher SC2 Premium steam cleaner, users note its high performance (up to 75 m²) and the convenience of storing basic accessories on the product’s body.
Many pet owners liked the special carpet brush. In combination with a small amount of steam, it very successfully copes with removing wool from any fleecy surfaces (which is sometimes quite problematic even with a powerful vacuum cleaner). The price today is about 8,500 rubles.
Compared to SC2, the next oldest SC3 model has more power (1900 W) and vapor pressure (3.5 bar). And although the performance of both devices is the same (75 m²), according to reviews, the Karcher SC 3 Premium steam cleaner has a number of obvious advantages. Thanks to the modified design of the boiler, the heating time was reduced to a phenomenal 0.5 minutes. And although such a model costs 11200-11500 rubles, the ease of use and higher efficiency (due to greater power and increased vapor pressure) fully justify the additional financial costs.
Top Models of Karcher Steam Cleaners
The top line of the lineup (both in terms of functionality and price) is occupied by the Karcher SC 5 Premium steam cleaner (user reviews are only enthusiastic). This is the most powerful (2200 W) apparatus among household products with a maximum vapor pressure of 4.2 bar. Of the technical features inherent only to this model, it is worth noting:
- 4-level steam supply regulator;
- the presence of a regime of simultaneous supply of steam and hot water to the surface to be cleaned;
- two tanks for pouring water (boiler with a volume of 0.5 l and a removable tank with a capacity of 1.5 l).
The iron, which is part of the Premium Iron modification of the Karcher SC 5 steam cleaner, according to user reviews, copes with steaming things twice as fast and more efficiently than conventional counterparts. The cost of such a model in the maximum configuration today is about 33,500 rubles. Without an iron, this product can be purchased for 28,800-29,000 rubles.
In their reviews of the Karcher SC 4 steam cleaner, users note that, despite the more modest technical characteristics (power 2000 W, maximum steam pressure 3.5 bar), it is slightly inferior in efficiency to its older “brother” SC 5. V complete with an iron, such a model can be purchased already for 21,900-22,600 rubles. And if you are satisfied with the two-level steam supply regulator located on the gun and the water tank capacity (0.8 l), then it’s worth “thinking seven times” whether it is worth buying the top model. After all, the economic benefits are quite obvious. According to reviews, the Karcher 4 steam cleaner for 16,000-16,200 rubles (without iron) is quite suitable for consumers who are used to ironing and steaming things with products already in the household.
What to look for when choosing
Before buying a steam cleaner, it is necessary to carefully familiarize yourself with the technical capabilities of commercially available models. If you plan to use a steam cleaner in a small city apartment, then a device with a capacity of 20 to 75 m² is quite suitable. If you are the owner of a sufficiently large own house, then it is better to purchase a model with a value of this indicator from 100 m² or more. However, it is necessary to clearly understand for yourself for what volumes of work you will regularly use the device. Overpaying for a high-performance model sometimes just does not make sense.
The efficiency of removing contaminants directly depends on the maximum vapor pressure: the higher it is, the faster the product will cope with cleaning. For regular cleaning (when there are no old spots or hard to remove hard formations) models with a pressure of 3-3.5 bar are quite suitable. And for cleaning offices or other frequently visited rooms, it is best to choose a model with a maximum rate of 4.2 bars, or purchase a device for professional cleaning.
According to reviews, Karcher Premium steam cleaners are most fully equipped with all necessary appliances and nozzles. Therefore, it is worthwhile to immediately buy a modification of Premium, not Standard, so that then you do not spend your own time and effort to find the necessary additional accessories.
In custody
Regardless of which steam cleaner you purchase - a simple small-sized SC1 or fully "stuffed" SC5 - cleaning and cleaning your home will be quick and easy. And most importantly - the surfaces treated with the help of such “helpers” will not contain residues of chemical detergents, and all “parasites”, bacteria and microbes will be destroyed. One of the important arguments in favor of acquiring such a cleaning device, judging by user reviews of Karcher steam cleaners for the home, is the price of the devices. Everyone will be able to choose a model for themselves in accordance with their financial capabilities.