I bought my Polti steam cleaner around two years ago, then priced at £299, including the iron attachment and can honestly say it was worth every penny.

It looks rather like a large red cylinder vacuum cleaner, with a long electric lead and vacuum cleaner like attachments. On first unpacking everything, it may seem a little daunting at first. There is, however, an excellent instruction book and very useful video to help.
These explain just how the Polti uses the power of steam, without any chemicals or cleansers, to remove dirt from almost anywhere in your home.

There are several benefits here-
Steam is more environmentally friendly than chemical cleansers and their packaging.
Bacteria is effectively destroyed by the high temperature used.
Long-term cost effectiveness can be achieved because of the true multi purpose nature of the cleaners, saving on all sorts of cleaning materials.
For those of us with breathing problems (I have asthma) the atmosphere after using the steam cleaner is much cleaner and dust-free.
Okay, on to usage. The reservoir has to be filled with water, I fill it right up to the maximum as you would be surprised as to how quickly a refill can be needed, especially when ironing.

The cap, fitted with a safety valve to stop opening whilst very hot, is then screwed on.
The hose and tools can now be fitted, and the power switched on.

After around ten minutes, the temperature light will go off, letting you know that the steam is ready. There is a long handled floor cleaning tool, to which a cloth can be clamped, allowing hard floor and carpet cleaning.

A smaller headed tool is provided for small areas, such as rugs, cupboard surfaces and windows.
A narrow space tool allows you to get into little nooks and crannies.

When you've selected the area you wish to clean, apply the tool and press the trigger for steam. Lots of it. My house feels like a sauna if I'm on a roll and the added advantages to your skin and lungs are tremendous! Be very careful never to put your body in the way of the steam, for obvious reasons.

Once the dirt is loosened, which is very easy to see, use a soft cloth to remove the residue from the surface. There are a couple of cloths supplied with the Polti, but I have carried on using old torn up towels, which work just as well.
Window cleaning is a breeze, but be careful in cold weather not to apply the steam too closely all at once, or you may have to call out a glazier.

Defrosting the fridge, one of my most hated jobs, is so easy and quick using the steam method. The kids' mountains of soft toys get blasted every week and as an asthmatic, I feel that the air is much more breathable in their bedrooms as a result. It is also excellent for treating pillows, mattresses and bedding.

I use it on absolutely everything and never use polish on furniture anymore. The steam cleaning method is so quick and easy, and I find that the dust doesn't settle on the surfaces so quickly as before. A word about the iron. I go on and on about this to the kids as I really think you get "added flatness" when compared to a top spec ordinary steam iron. Also, the steam attachment alone can be used to blow out creases while the clothes (or indeed curtains) are still hanging.

Depending on your water supply, you may need to add the supplied treatment to your reservoir from time to time, to avoid build up of limescale.
A warning light appears when the reservoir needs refilled, but you'll have to wait a while before the valve is released, letting you back in to fill it up again. A good and necessary safety measure, but all the same I get impatient.

Everyone I know is sick of me going on about my "steamie thing" to the extent that my daughters have accused me of loving it more than them, but really I can't recommend it highly enough. ..Rate this review »