Studies conducted in the laboratories of leadinginternational cleaning companies, unequivocally show high efficiency and absolute safety of surface cleaning with steam application. If to numerous detergents numerous bacteria and harmful micro-organisms gradually adapt, the high-temperature steam supplied to the surface under cleaning at high pressure kills up to 99.99% of all harmful to human health viruses and microorganisms. Users who use such products in their everyday life, in their reviews about the steam cleaners "Kercher" note their high efficiency in fighting pollution of a variety of types.
A little about the manufacturer
The German company Karcher was founded inalready far back in 1935. To date, 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. Long-term experience and constant updating of the model range, using innovative technologies, allowed the company to become the leader in sales of this segment of household equipment. Among the wide variety of such devices, which are very widely represented on the market, it is the steam cleaners "Kercher" according to the opinions of numerous users that are most popular and in demand. And the five-year warranty, which the manufacturer provides for all devices of this category, speaks about the quality and reliability of these products.
The device and the principle of operation
The principle of the steam cleaner is quite simple.Its main part is the boiler. It is filled with ordinary water, 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 contamination from the surface being cleaned and to destroy virtually all viruses, bacteria, microbes and other harmful microorganisms.
By the design of the boiler and the principle of heating, the company produces two varieties of steam cleaners:
- The boiler and the water tank are one unit. To replenish the tank, such items must be turned off, unscrew the seal plug, top up the water and install the plug in place.
- With flow-through heating elements.In such devices, the water tank has a removable structure. Replenish the water in this reservoir can be done during the work (simply periodically replenishing it to the required level).
В своих отзывах о пароочистителях "Керхер" для home users do not give preference to a particular design. Both effectively cope with the main tasks. The second (from the above-described designs) is preferable for those who are going to wash a large area at a time. At the same time, the efficiency of cleaning (with the same power and steam pressure) is increased only by saving the time necessary for the next warming up of the liquid to the operating temperature after replenishment of the tank.
What can I clean with a steam cleaner
In numerous reviews about the steam cleaners "Kercher" users claim (and quite unambiguously) that these devices effectively cope with cleaning:
- floors of natural or artificial stone, ceramic tiles, laminate, parquet, linoleum, PVC tiles and other solid floor coverings;
- Cranes, mixers, sinks and sinks;
- baths and showers;
- tiles, windows and mirrors;
- furniture;
- countertops (polymer, metal, laminated and so on);
- kitchen stoves, hobs and hoods;
- internal and external elements of the car;
- and other hard surfaces in the house.
And although steam cleaners do not have a suction functiondirty liquid (as opposed to steam-cleaners), it is quite possible to refresh carpets, carpet or soft furniture with them. The steam produced by these devices has moisture indicators even less than the ambient air. Therefore, with its moderate use, you will not harm napped surfaces.
Judging by the reviews about the steam cleaners "Kercher", the priceon these convenient devices is fully justified (from 3,500 rubles for SC1 in the minimum configuration to 33,500 rubles for SC5 in maximum). The funds spent for the acquisition will be repaid by the quality of cleaning, as well as simple and easy to use.
Main advantages of cleaning the surfaces with steam
Users note that the mainthe advantages of cleaning with the use of steam cleaners (as compared to the usual wet cleaning of a room with the use of mops, rags, detergents, buckets and water) are:
- High efficiency. The combination of high temperature, pressure and steam flow rate to the surface to be cleaned makes it possible to easily remove contamination of a different nature.
- Ecological and hypoallergenic bothcleaning process, 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 only steam is needed (no chemical cleaners). Even for easier removal of solid formations (eg limescale or scale), the manufacturer recommends pre-wetting only with organic media (acetic or citric acid). Many people are attracted to this aspect.
- High operational safety. In all models, without exception, a steam lock system is installed (this is to prevent accidental inclusion by children).
- Energy efficiency.Innovative technologies, patented know-how and design features of the nozzles used in Kärcher steam cleaners save energy by 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;
- performance (surface area that can be cleaned without replenishing water): from 20 to 150 m²;
- heating time to working condition: from 0.5 to 6.5 minutes;
- Weight (without additional accessories, water and brushes installed): from 1.58 to 6 kg.
The lineup
The range of household steam cleanersDestination is able to satisfy the request of each buyer and consists of five models. All of them are denoted by the Latin letters SC (steam cleaner). This is followed by a number (from 1 to 5), which determines the model number: the larger it is, the more powerful, functional and, naturally, the device is more expensive. If the product brand has the abbreviation EasyFix, this means that the delivery set includes a nozzle for cleaning the floor of an improved design. On the outside of such brushes, special lamellae are installed, which ensure longer contact of steam with the surface being cleaned. According to users, it increases the speed and efficiency of cleaning.
English word Premium (if it is present inthe device name) informs the potential buyer that the product is fully equipped with all the necessary additional accessories (up to a special means for removing scale from the inner surfaces of the boiler).
In the top products from the brand Karcher, you can find the word Iron. That is, the high-efficiency steam iron is also included in the delivery package of such a device.
Reviewed by steam cleaners "Kärcher SC"marked very informative. So, for example, for the user, 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 a maximum configuration (with a steam iron and an improved floor brush). And the Karcher SC2 is an entry-level device as standard.
Completion and additional 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, water tank and heating elements installed in it;
- steam hose with a gun, on which the steam supply lever is installed;
- extension tubes (usually 2 by 0.5 m);
- nozzles for cleaning the floor (normal or advanced);
- point nozzle to clean the cracks and in hard to reach places;
- nozzles for manual cleaning;
- round brushes (small and large);
- special carpet brushes;
- nozzles for washing windows, windows and mirrors;
- replaceable microfiber cloths (or terry cloths) for attaching to the appropriate nozzles.
Buyers have noted in reviews, steam cleaners "Kärcher" is easy to equip with one or another device that the caring manufacturer offers as additional accessories.
The smallest representative of a large family
Lineup of a model range of Karcher steam cleanersopens the compact compact product SC1. This "baby" weighing only 1.58 kg is designed specifically for efficient cleaning of small rooms. Numerous users in the reviews of Karcher SC 1 note its undeniable advantages. With its more than modest dimensions (321Х127Х186 mm, which makes it possible to store it even in one of the compartments of the kitchen table), it has rather impressive technical characteristics:
- power - 1200 W;
- maximum steam pressure - 3 bar;
- productivity - 20 m².
Measuring cup suppliedwill help to fill in only the necessary amount of water. Noted in the responses and the additional ease of use - a bag for storing accessories. In the starting configuration, this device costs about 3,500 rubles.
Compared with the standard model steam cleanerKarcher SC 1 Premium, according to user feedback, is more versatile and functional. Its FloorKit kit, consisting of a floor nozzle, extension tubes (2 x 0.5 m) and a cleaning terry napkin, allows you to quickly and easily turn the product into a convenient steam mop. Such a device costs about 5,500 rubles.
For information! A set of additional cloth napkins (5 pieces: 2 for the floor and 3 for the manual nozzle) can be purchased separately for 800-900 rubles.
The main disadvantage that users mark inreview of the Kärcher SC 1 steam cleaner: you have to keep the power button on all the way down. Of course, this is done for security purposes. For example, if you accidentally drop a device or put it on a table, the steam supply stops automatically.
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, you get a rather heavy fixture, which for some representatives of the best half of humanity to hold for a long time in the hands during the cleaning process is very tiring. Therefore, to clean the premises of medium or large area, it is better to purchase a more expensive and powerful product, which in working condition is placed on the floor, and only the used attachments are in the user's hands.
Most popular models
Replaced currently discontinuedsteam cleaner Karcher SC 1020, a very beloved Russian consumers, came model SC2. Possessing a similar power (1500 W) and maximum vapor pressure (3.2 bar), the novelty has a significant advantage. Thanks to an improved boiler design, the heating time has been reduced from 8 minutes to 6.5. In the reviews of the steam cleaner "Kärcher SC2 Premium" users note its high performance (up to 75 m²) and the convenience of storing the main accessories on the body of the product.
Many pet owners have come acrossshower a special brush for cleaning carpets. In combination with a small amount of steam, it quite successfully copes with the removal of wool from any fleecy surfaces (which is sometimes quite difficult to do even with a powerful vacuum cleaner). The price today is about 8 500 rubles.
Compared to SC2, the next highestModel SC3 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 undoubted 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 11,200-11500 rubles, ease of use and higher efficiency (due to greater power and increased vapor pressure) fully justify the additional financial costs.
Top models of steam cleaners Karcher
The top line of the model range (as forfunctionality, and for the price) is a steam cleaner "Kärcher SC 5 Premium" (user reviews only enthusiastic). This is the most powerful (2200 W) unit among household products with a maximum steam pressure of 4.2 bar. From the technical features inherent only in this model, it is worth noting:
- 4-level steam control;
- availability of simultaneous steam and hot water at the surface being cleaned;
- two tanks for filling the water (boiler with a volume of 0.5 liters and a removable tank with a capacity of 1.5 liters).
Утюг, входящий в состав модификации Premium Iron steam cleaner "Kärcher SC 5", according to user feedback, 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 about the steam cleaner "Kärcher SC 4"users note that, despite the more modest technical characteristics (power 2000 W, maximum steam pressure 3.5 bar), it is slightly less efficient than its older “fellow” SC 5. It’s already available for 21 in the iron set. 900-22 600 rubles. And if you are satisfied with the two-level steam supply regulator located on the gun, and the capacity of the water tank (0.8 l), then you should “think twice” whether it is worth buying the top model. After all, the economic benefits are quite obvious. According to reviews, the steam cleaner "Kärcher 4" for 16 000-16 200 rubles (without iron), is quite suitable for consumers who are used to ironing and steam things with products already available in the economy.
What to look for when choosing
Before buying a steam cleaner you needcarefully read 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 from 20 to 75 m² is quite suitable. If you are the owner of a large enough own house, then it is better to purchase a model with a value of this indicator from 100 m² and more. However, you must clearly understand for yourself, for what amount of work you will regularly use the device. To overpay for a high-performance model sometimes just does not make sense.
Direct removal efficiencydepends 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 stains 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 premises, it is best to choose a model with a maximum of 4.2 bars, or purchase a device for professional cleaning.
According to reviews, steam cleaners "Kärcher Premium"most fully equipped with all necessary fixtures and nozzles. Therefore, you should immediately buy a Premium version, not Standard, so you don’t waste your time and energy on finding the necessary additional accessories.
In custody
No matter what kind of steam cleaner you areyou will get - a simple small-sized SC1 or fully “stuffed” SC5 - cleaning and cleaning your home will be a quick and easy task. And most importantly - the surface treated with these "helpers" will not contain the remnants of chemical detergents, and all the "parasites", bacteria and microbes will be destroyed. One of the important arguments in favor of the acquisition of such a cleaning device, judging by the user reviews about steam cleaners "Kärcher" for the house - the price of devices. Everyone will be able to choose a model for themselves in accordance with their financial capabilities.
