The Shark sale is on – save up to £150 on top-rated vacuums and steam mops - Real Homes
The Shark sale is on – save up to £150 on top-rated vacuums and steam mops - Real Homes |
| The Shark sale is on – save up to £150 on top-rated vacuums and steam mops - Real Homes Posted: 20 Apr 2020 01:11 AM PDT Shop the Shark sale to get your hands on a new vacuum cleaner or steam mop, for a bargain price. For a limited time only, you can make some incredible savings by shopping direct with Shark, or with our selected retailers. From now until mid-June (for some models), you can make some mega savings on popular vacuum cleaners. Take the Shark Anti Hair Wrap Upright Vacuum Cleaner XL with Powered Lift-Away, for example. Not so long ago it was £379.99, but now it's down to £229.99. And the Shark Steam Mop S1000UK, can now be yours for just £49.99, so long as the stocks last! |
| Can steam cleaners kill household germs? - Which? Posted: 02 Apr 2020 12:00 AM PDT Orders for steam cleaners have surged over the past month, since COVID-19 broke out in the UK, and stocks at many online retailers have sold out. With stores such as Currys PC World promising that steam cleaners deliver a 'deep, penetrating clean that eliminates germs and bacteria, helping to ensure a truly sanitised home', it's easy to see why so many people have ordered one. But can steam cleaners really kill germs and help to keep you safe? In this guide, we'll tell you what you need to know and explain how to choose between different models. Discover which steam cleaners you should consider buying in our round up of the top five best steam cleaners for 2020. How do steam cleaners work?All steam cleaners work by heating water until it boils, thus creating steam. This steam is very effective at cleaning surfaces as it's able to get in to cracks and pores that may not be accessible to normal cleaning cloths. The steam loosens dirt and grease, which can then be more easily wiped away. Cleaning in this way is not just effective, but it also removes the need for harsh chemicals. This can be especially beneficial for households with babies or small children who like to put things in their mouths, as well as anyone whose allergies are affected by strong detergents. Using steam cleaners to kill germsSteam cleaners don't just remove surface dirt, they can also kill bacteria. As manufacturer, Shark, explained to us, they're able to do this as the temperature of the steam can be high enough to break down the internal structures of bacterial cells, preventing them from being able to survive or to replicate.  This makes them extremely effective. In fact, manufacturers typically say that steam cleaners will kill 99.9% of common household germs and bacteria, such as salmonella and E coli. We don't check this in our lab assessments, but leading manufacturer, Karcher, told us that this figure has been independently tested and certified. Are steam cleaners effective against COVID-19?It's important to note that manufacturers' claims only cover household germs. Steam cleaners have not been specifically tested for their effectiveness at killing COVID-19, although Shark told us that, in theory, very high temperatures should have the same effect on viruses as they do on bacteria. The current government advice is to clean your home with warm, soapy water and then to use household disinfectant, paying particular attention to frequently touched areas and surfaces, such as bathrooms and door handles. However, it also acknowledges that 'when items can't be cleaned using detergents or laundered, for example, upholstered furniture and mattresses, steam cleaning should be used.' Read our advice on how to clean your home effectively and for all our latest help and advice, visit our coronavirus hub. How should you use a steam cleaner to kill germs?If you're using a steam cleaner to kill germs, you need to use it in a specific way. Shark gave us the following tips:
Shark also told us that steam mops, which disperse steam through a thick pad, work in a slightly different way. The mop head absorbs the heat energy from the steam, so the really high temperatures don't reach the floor surface itself. However, the mop's hot, moist pad is very effective at wiping any bacteria away and removing it from the surface you're cleaning. Temperatures in the pad may be sufficient to disinfect the mop head itself and kill any bacteria it has collected while it's actively steaming. However, you should wash the mop head thoroughly in a washing machine, according to the manufacturer's instructions, after you've finished (and before reusing) to remove any bacteria that may build up after use. What can steam cleaners be used on?Steam cleaners can tackle a wide variety of flooring, such as lino, vinyl, ceramic tiles and some laminate, as well as other surfaces such as kitchen units, showers and mirrors. And, as we've already noted, they can also be used to steam fabric and upholstery. However, the steam they produce can cause damage to some materials, especially to unsealed wood floors as these can warp. Manufacturers often list the type of surfaces they say you can safely clean with their devices, but the information can be quite vague. If in doubt, we would recommend that you check with your flooring manufacturer or installer. What type of steam cleaner should I choose?Steam cleaners come in a range of designs. Prices start from as little as £30 and rise to more than £400. The type you should choose will depend on what you want to clean – if it's just a few kitchen tiles, then a cheap handheld cleaner will probably be sufficient. If you have loads of tiled floors to get through, then you may need a wheeled cleaner with a generous water tank. Alternatively, upright cleaners with detachable handheld units are very versatile and can be used to clean a range of surfaces. You can get more help on what type of steam cleaner to buy in our steam cleaner buying guide. Popular steam cleanersBelow, we've pulled out three popular steam cleaners to suit different budgets and cleaning needs. To see all the models we've tested and choose the right one for you, head over to our steam cleaner reviews. Hoover Steam Express SSNH1000, £39.99
This handheld steam cleaner is compact and lightweight, and can be used on a variety of surfaces, from oven grills to tiles. But can such a small steam cleaner successfully shift that tricky-to-reach dirt? Find out in our Hoover Steam Express SSNH1000 review. Vax Steam Fresh Power Plus, £99
This flexible, two-in-one cleaner from Vax doubles as a steam mop and a handheld machine, thanks to the detachable, hand-held unit. It comes with a range of tools to attach to the handheld, making it suitable for cleaning surfaces around your home. Read our expert verdict on the Vax Steam Fresh Power Plus. Karcher SC3 Upright Steam Cleaner, £200
This is an upright steam cleaner that can be used to clean hard floors. Karcher models have typically impressed in our lab tests and the company claims that this model is its 'best-performing steam mop'. But does this model live up to to the manufacturer's claims? Find out in our review of the Karcher SC3 Upright Mop. How Which? tests steam cleanersWe've tested steam cleaners for years and have reviewed all the models available from big names, including Black & Decker, Karcher and Vax, as well as a number of cheap own-brand models. We don't specifically assess their effectiveness against bacteria, but can tell you which ones are the best for keeping your house spick and span. And we don't just reveal the best models – we also highlight the low-scoring Don't Buy steam cleaners, so you can avoid buying a dud you'll soon be keen to replace. |
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