Eureka Enviro Hard-Surface Floor Steamer,313A
by Electrolux Home Products (floorcare)
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Tools and Hardware Reviews of Eureka Enviro Hard-Surface Floor Steamer,313A
Customer Review: LOVE IT!
Summary: 5 Stars
I read all the various reviews on Amazon.com before deciding to purchase the Eureka Enviro Steamer. The big competitor seems to be the Shark machine, which was easily available anywhere, but I held out for the Eureka.
At first I was skeptical about how well this thing would clean, but after using it for two weeks, I have to say that it really does do the job and with much less effort that pushing a mop around. I keep having to remind myself that I'm not using any commercial cleaners and it's just water. Pretty amazing that I'm getting better results.
Works equally well on wood and tile. Saves on buying the various products and cleaning solutions I've been having to use in the past.
Things I like:
1) Light, although, admittedly heavier than a mop, but doesn't require the effort a mop takes to get the job done.
2) Does the job and leaves the floor bright and clean
3) Doesn't soak the floor - faster drying time
4) Convenient to be used all the time - no real need for in between cleanings with a mop or swiffer wet jet, etc...
5) Heats up pretty quickly - about two minutes
6) Doesn't have to cool down between refills, as with some of the other machines
7) Sturdily built
Some hints for easy use:
1) Flip your pad over when the one side is dirty to extend the cleaning usage.
2) Fill machine only when empty or not making anymore steam. There's not guage to tell, so if you only use it for a few minutes one time, just keep going subsequent times until the steam runs out. Otherwise, you can soak your floor. A filling calls for two of the enclosed measuring cups.
3) Be sure to use the warming and cool down tray to keep the steam from building up on the floor. Especially with wood floors so as not to warp them.
Some suggestions for improvement:
1) A water guage
2) A longer cord
3) a rubber wheeled warming tray that can be pushed around.
4) Longer steam time
Other than that, I'm satisfied and the for the cost, you're really getting your money's worth. Highly recommended.
9/10/10: It's six months + since I've had this and am still in love with it. It does take some getting use to. Like any implement you have to develop a personal relationship with it, as you get to know what it's little noises mean, etc. Biggest hint: Don't overfill - and don't put your cleaning pad on until it's completely heated and ready to go. If you do accidentally put too much water, the machine expels extra water when it's heated up, and this is what will soak your pad. Let the water expel into the tray and come to a nice and constant steam and then put the pad on taking care not to burn yourself. However, unless you put your hand under the steamer or close to the bottom, you should be fine. Have tried it on the countertops, but it's a bit awkward, even without the handle, so not worth the trouble, also the machine really likes to be kept flat at all times. Tilting can water to come out, etc. so just my suggestion
Customer Review: So much to like, especially at this price
Summary: 5 Stars
It's not on par with golf or extreme mountain climbing, but housecleaning has become something of a hobbyist sport for me. Because there are only about three hours to spend on it each week, I am picky, picky, picky about the tools and products in my cleaning cupboard. And the cupboard isn't big, so each piece has to earn its space.
The Enviro Steamer is one of the most effective and, frankly, fun tools I use each week. At first, though, it was horrible to see how much gunk the thing picked up from our supposedly clean kitchen floor. It's not great for scuff marks from the Crocs I should have taken off at the door, but those aren't my biggest problem. Rather, the issue is dirt practically ground in by the last (and maybe final!) housekeeper's cleaning products. It's going to take a while and I'm not sure this vinyl floor can be saved, but the kitchen looks and smells cleaner since I've been using the steamer and nothing else on the floor.
This might be true only for cleaning enthusiasts, but I think it's a real charge to run the thing around. First, the area it has passed over or rested on briefly is immediately, visibly cleaner. Second, the machine itself is light enough that it is pretty easy to maneuver. Third -- and I think this is killer -- it is QUIET. Sorry to shout that out, but this might be more quiet than the little slap and squish of using a conventional mop. Except for an occasional soft hissing that lets me indulge a fantasy of conducting a little locomotive, it is inaudible.
And then there's the matter of the effort and expense one doesn't have to make in obtaining the cleaning solution, which happens to be water. Yup, plain old straight-from-the-kitchen-faucet water. Not filtered, not doctored up with expensive tinctures or other smelly additives: plain water.
At its price point, Eureka has probably taken the design as far as it can go. But I, for one, would be happy to pay more for a retractable cord and a sturdier pan for the steamer to rest on as it's heating up and cooling down. It would also be nice to have the steamer engineered in a way that one would not risk getting burned when refilling it. And a place to store the measuring cup and funnel (maybe a funnel could even be integral to the design) would be welcome. Mine are probably about to disappear, victims of my absent-mindedness. Finally, it would be nice to have a construction that were less floppy. It really is unwieldy.
Still, there is a limit to what a company can be expecting to engineer and manufacture at this price. Many of the things I suggest would certainly have an impact on production costs. For many of us, this method of cleaning is arcane enough that we wouldn't chance even $100 on a machine. Now, though, there might be enough committed users to pay more.
In the meantime, take it for what it is: an effective, relatively user friendly cleaning tool that runs only on water and is quieter than any other appliance in my house, except for the stove. I would not want to be without my Enviro Steamer.
Customer Review: In a word; WOW!
Summary: 5 Stars
Threw my mop and bucket out long ago and have been scrubbing floors on hand and knee way to long. Almost bought a Shark steamer several times till I started a little digging and reading reviews here.
Skeptical at first but for the price why not give it a try?
Does it emit clouds of steam so you can tell it's working? No. I had to really watch the first time to see if it was steaming and ready for use. I'm not sure it get's as hot as it says it can. I was able to use it bare footed and the floor was warm to the touch but not unbearable.
It did not leave puddles of water everywhere as other posters have had trouble w/. It did leak when I turned it to the side to examine the pad. Duh. The booklet tells you not to. Minor problem. Don't turn it over.
It doesn't corner like a race car. It doesn't corner at all. Don't try to get into corners. It's a square. It is low enough to easily slide under cupboards and kick plates on dishwashers, stoves and refrigerators. The cord is a wee bit short. I'd kiss James Dyson on the lips for having the hind site to put a long cord on a vacuum why hasn't anyone else figured that out?
It is time consuming. You have to go slowly across the floor and it seems to work well forward and back. Don't expect to skim through the floor mopping like you would a vacuum. It was still faster than the old mop and bucket w/ a wash and 2 rinses to get the chemicals and dirty water off the floor. Leaves a slightly damp floor. Nothing that doesn't take a few moments to dry. Certainly quicker than the old mop.
Those horrible little pocks in vinyl flooring that never come clean and always black? Clean. Yep, one slow swipe and you'd never had known the last time I got them clean it was w/ a Mr Clean Magic Eraser and took me days to get the whole floor done.
I almost bought the replacement pads from another maker as it seems Eureka doesn't automatically pop up along w/ the steamer for purchase. Reviews there suggested they were a waste of money. Now I'm glad I didn't get the extras. It came w/ 2 pads. The box suggested it was a "bonus" for the extra pad along w/ the funnel and measuring cup. I'm glad there's 2 as I won't be washing the first before I need it again. I doubt you really need more than 2. We'll see. The pad isn't anything to write home about. At 50% cotton it will shrink if you machine dry it. I knit cotton "Swiffer" covers for friends and will knit myself a few pads for the Eureka.
If you don't have someone who loves you to knit one for you save yourself some money on buying extra pads and buy an extra cheapo thick dish towel w/ a waffle knit pattern.
In conclusion. It'll pay for itself in no time. No chemicals, no mop heads breeding who knows what, no replacing mop heads or mops every few months. No more hands and knee work. I'd buy it again if it were $162.
Customer Review: Great buy!!
Summary: 5 Stars
About 2 weeks ago I realized that I needed more product and pads for my swifter mop (which I love). I thought about it and wanted to save money on these products. I was watching the TV and saw an infomercial for the Shark steam mop and just before placing an order I went online for reviews. I ended up at this site and read all the reviews. I was skeptical at first but thought that I would give the Eureka 313A2 Enviro Hard-surface Floor Steamer a try. I usually do not write reviews but I wanted to share my experience with other buyers who like me are looking for reviews. When it arrived I had a hard time figuring out how to extend the handle to make it longer, but my daughter showed me and actually it was quite easy. The first time I tried it the steam lasted about 16 mins and I had to unplug it to change plugs because the cord seemed short. My kitchen and breakfast nook area has ceramic tiles and is 28' x 14'. I thought that it cleaned pretty good. Removed the pad - placed it in the washer and forgot to tell my daughter not to dry it in the dryer - it shrunk some but still usable. My cleaning lady used it for the first time 3 days ago and she was very impressed with it - it was used on the ceramic tiles, laminate floor and vinyl tiles. She called and said that I should have purchased that years ago. Today I was prompted to write this review after I saw what my dogs did when they came from outside. My son let the dogs in without cleaning their paws, there was mud all over my kitchen floor and some of the carpet. I filled up the steamer, and about 5 mins later (I think it was ready before that, but I was doing other stuff). The pad that previously shrunk from the dryer was used with EXCELLENT results. I have an open floor plan. I actually plugged the steamer between the kitchen and breakfast nook and had no problems with the cord. I unplugged it one time to move the steamer to my laminate floor which is approx 20' x 11' without refill - it worked perfectly. When I noticed that steam was still coming out I turned the machine off, flipped the pad over, turned it back on and just placed it over the muddy paw prints on my biege(wool berber)carpet - just moved it slightly from side to side and it removed these prints (I don't believe that this is recommended by the manufacturer) - the area is now dry and you can't see where the paw prints were. This is an excellent product - do not let your first try straight from the box be your lasting impression. My teenagers love using it. No cleaning chemicals and no disposable pads to buy - it definitely is a winner at my home!! Thank you Eureka, and thanks to the guys who did the big trial with different brands - I really appreciate that.Eureka 313A2 Enviro Hard-Surface Floor SteamerCustomer Review: Great buy!! LOVE IT!
Summary: 5 Stars
After we had our daughter, I suddenly became very aware of each and every chemical I used to clean our house. I started to worry about the effects that our floor cleaner could have on her once she started to crawl. Everyone knows that kids constantly have their hands, or things they've picked up from the floor, in their mouth! After quite a bit of searching for the safest products online, one day I saw in infomercial for a steam mop. I'll be honest, till then I'd never even heard of one!! So I did some digging around online to find out which one was the best. Well, the Eureka Enviro Steamer was the one that always seemed to come out on top. I decided, what the hey, it's only $70!! If it means that my baby isn't exposed to chemical cleaners on our floor, it's worth it! I tried it out the day it came in!! I cleaned every speck of tile in my house! My first thought was, WONDERFUL! I really don't like to mop at all, (who does?!) but this makes it feel like so much less of a chore. The directions are clear and easy, the operation could not be simpler, and I love that the pads are washable/reuseable. It heats up the water in no time at all!! By the time I finished sweeping my kitchen (less than 5 minutes) it was already emitting steam and ready to go. There were a couple spots I was really wanting to use it on - namely underneath my garbage can and in front of the stove - the messiest spots in my kitchen. I attacked the spot under the can first. The first pass with the mop got up almost everything, but there were still a few spots that needed a little more work. So, as the directions said, I held the mop there for a couple extra seconds (I counted to 6) and it worked like a charm! As I said, I cleaned all the tile in my house, in about 30 minutes!! I'm pretty sure it only took that long because I was getting used to using it. I'm sure my next time using it will be much quicker. For cleaning my kitchen, entry way, and dining area, I filled the tank three times. The last refill however was only to clean a small section, so I ended up dumping most of that back out. I was impressed that it only took slightly more than 2 tanks to clean everything! Also, they have this great feature at the top that you can clip the cord into, so you're not always having to worry about it getting in your way. The only thing that I can say I wasn't COMPLETLY happy with was the drying time. I expected that the temperature of the steam would make drying time very short. It was still faster than the time it takes for a normal mopping to dry, but just longer than I expected. (Probably around 3-5 minutes. Just long enough for my daughter to sneek into the kitchen and slip and fall!! But at lest she wasn't sliding around on any chemicals!) So all in all, I feel it was a great buy and I've been recommending it to everyone I know!!