Here is why: 1. Actual temperature of the steam. Residential units generally use steam between 240 and 295 degrees. Avoid anything of lesser temperature. Hotter steam means a quantum increase in cleaning effectiveness. What's more necessary is to start with a much higher temperature than you would think you might need, as all vapor steam cleaners lose some temperature on the way to the tip. 2. The very best machines have boilers made out of stainless steel which heat up faster, and do not rust. 3.Cheap machines have no safety caps when refilling water, versus safety caps. 4. The ability to refill water continuously is more important than you might think. If you have a continuous refill machine you do not have to wait for the machine to cool down and heat up again when you want to refill it [this can be a 20 plus minute wait]. It also means that the machine is lighter as you are not lugging around all that water. 5. Holding water tank capacity. Very small water tanks can drive you crazy when you have to refill them every 15 to 20 minutes. 6. Having the ability to regulate the steam outflow with pressure is important. Some tasks require a finer more concentrated jet of steam. This can be important when you want to avoid the splattering of dirt particulates all over the place. 7. Ability to regulate the steam temperature. Some fabrics and surfaces require a cooler temperature. 8. Length of warranty on boiler and other parts. It is usually 3 years on a good residential machine and 5 years on a commercial machine. 9. Good handle for easy lifting up stairs. Somebody needs to have really paid attention to this design feature. 10. Decent sized castors allow for easy maneuverability. 11. The accessories included for special cleaning tasks, and optional accessories available add to the cost of the machines. Size of the cleaning brushes is also an added expense. The better machines have bigger sized tools which allow for the cleaning to be done faster. 12. Quality of toweling covers and whether they can be attached and removed easily makes a difference. The better machines have easy clips to attach the toweling covers. 13. There are a greater number of steam outlets and larger orifices in more expensive machines. And my personal favorite? The Ladybug steam cleaner at $1049.95. Best deal? The WhiteWing Steam Cleaner at $499.95.
First Published: January 2001 .................................................. .................................................. .................................................. ..................................................
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