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#1) QUALITY CONSTRUCTION:
Check out what the steamer is made of. Many so
called commercial grade steam cleaners
are all plastic. Even their extension poles are
cheap plastic. You should look for solid steel
construction, or if you require a small light
weight unit, consider a polycarbonate body.
1-A) COMMERCIAL STEAM CLEANERS: I
would never buy a so called commercial vapor
steam cleaner if it was all plastic. A true
commercial design should not only be steel
but stainless steel.
1-B) COMMERCIAL PARTS: Look for
quality accessories like metal extension
poles, metal detail brushes and replacement
parts. Ask how much these replacement
brushes are. Some charge as much at $12 a
brush! You should not pay more then $2 or $3
dollars.
1-C) HOME STEAMERS: Look for
quality polycarbonate, not plastic body
types. Even better yet, painted steel or
stainless steel construction. There is no
substitute for quality construction. Try to
find a steamer that has good accessories.
Also ask about replacement parts. If they
can't supply you with replacement brushes do
not buy from them!
#2) REPLACEMENT PARTS: It is
critical that you ask questions before you
buy. Ask what parts they carry and how much they
are.
2-A) REPLACEMENT BRUSHES:
Imagine you buy a steam cleaner that you see
online or in a store and it works good when
you get it home. Imagine you just finished
cleaning half of your kitchen and realize
that your new grout cleaning brush is all
worn out. Or perhaps your special mom bonnet
is ripping. You realize cant clean anymore
because you are out of brushes. Now imagine
you call the company you ordered from (IF
YOU CAN REACH A LIVE PERSON) and they
tell you they do not carry replacement parts
for your new steamer. Imagine that they do
have brushes but you find out they want $12
each brush! Brushes should never cost more
then a couple of dollars each. Call before
you buy, ask them if they have parts in
stock and how much they are.
2-B) REPLACEMENT MOP HEADS:
Imagine you love your new vapor steam
cleaner. You get it home and start mopping
your whole hose. A day later you realize
that your mop head is starting to wear out.
You immediately call the company you purchased
from (IF YOU CAN REACH A LIVE PERSON) and
they inform you that the either do not carry
replacement parts for that item OR each mop
head will cost you $15 or $20.
SOLUTION: Call before you buy, ask what
kind of mop heads the steamer requires and
how much they are. Frankly, I would NEVER
buy a steamer that required a special mop
head. Some steam cleaners come with
floor tools that have spring loaded clips on
them. All you need for them is a simple
cotton terry towel that can be purchased
locally at virtually any hardware store. A
pack of 24 reusable cotton towels should
cost you about $10.
2-C) ALL ACCESSORIES: Again,
always call and ask how much it would cost
you if you were to ever to wear-out break or
misplace one of your accessories. The prices
may shock you and some companies will simply
tell you they do not carry parts.
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