PurSteam Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner Review
Steam cleaners allow you to clean various surfaces without the use of any chemicals. For example, you can use them to clean your car, kitchen appliances, upholstery, mirror, showers, and windows. Not only that, but they’re also great for cleaning and sanitizing the floor (e.g. sealed hardwood floors, grout lines, carpets, rugs, etc). In fact, many come with attachments that you can attach to the nozzle, which makes them that much more versatile.
Did we also mention that they’re highly versatile? For one thing, they can kill up to 99.99% of bacteria when used correctly. That’s not all, they’re also capable of eliminating mold, mildew, and fungi. Plus, they’re great at removing odors—and all you need is water. You won’t have to buy a specialized cleaner to use it, which will save you money in the long run.
Interested in getting one of these machines? How about the PurSteam Handheld Steam Cleaner? It’s lightweight, portable, and suitable for both indoor and outdoor use. For more information on how well it works, check out the rest of our post—it should give you a better idea as to whether or not it’ll suit your needs!
The Pursteam Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner
Pursteam is a company that manufactures various steam cleaners. Some of their other products include irons, garment steamers, and travel steamers. You can find them at various retailers including Home Depot, Walmart, and Amazon. They don’t have an official website as far as we can tell.
Product Description
The Pursteam PS-581X is a multi-functional handheld steam cleaner that can be used on a wide range of surfaces including wood flooring, granite, ceramic tile, carpet, and more. Fast and effective, it heats up quickly within 3 to 4 minutes. It also comes with a 9-piece accessory set that provides you with everything that you need to clean your home. For example, you can attach the squeegee to the nozzle and use it on your windows. The possibilities are endless!
What Does It Come With?
Here’s a list of what you’ll get with the Pursteam PS-581X handheld steamer:
- 1 Main Body
- 1 Extension Hose
- 3 Types of Brushes
- 1 Funnel and Measuring Cup
- 2 Types of Nozzles
- 1 Squeegee
How to Use: The steam cleaner doesn’t require any assembly. To use it, all you have to do is fill it up with water. Unscrew the safety cap on the main body by pressing it down and fill the boiler tank with at least 150ml water (any less and it can overheat) using the provided measuring cup and funnel. For the best results, use distilled water or bottled water. Carefully screw the cap back on and plug the unit into a wall outlet. The indicator light will turn green once the steam cleaner is ready to be used.
First, let’s take a look at the main body. As you can see from the image, the steam release switch is located at the back and the power switch is at the bottom. The steam nozzle, which you’ll be attaching the accessories to, is at the front. And at the back is the cord, which measures 9.8 feet in length. There is no cord storage.
In terms of accessories, it comes with three types of brushes—a nylon brush (for general cleaning), an ironing brush (for ironing garments), and an ironing brush cloth (for steaming garments), all of which can be used with the 18” extension hose. There are also two types of nozzles, a straight nozzle, and a bent nozzle. Last but not least, it also comes with a squeegee that you can attach to the steam nozzle.
Build Quality
Steam cleaners vary in terms of quality—that’s why it’s so important to do your research beforehand. You want something durable, something that will last you many sessions. How can you tell? Pay attention to the material. Does it seem thin and fragile? If so, it’s probably better to pass on the product. Also, check the accessories. How well made are they? What have people said about them? Those are things that you want to consider as well.
How Well Built Is the Pursteam Handheld Steamer?
The PS-581X is of good quality for its price. Yes, the unit is made of plastic but it’s a thick plastic that should hold up for a long time. The accessories are pretty solid as well—we have no major complaints about them.
Pros of the Pursteam Handheld Steamer
Price: The unit is good value for its price. It’ll handle small jobs just fine, though you might need something larger and more substantial for bigger tasks.
Good Customer Service: The company is very approachable. They’ll be more than happy to help if you’re experiencing any issues with the steam cleaner.
Safety Feature: The cap on the steam cleaner will automatically lock when there is any pressure so you won’t have to worry about hurting yourself when you’re refilling it.
Lots of Accessories: The Pursteam Cleaner comes with a variety of accessories, which makes it more versatile.
A Few Drawbacks
Here are a few things that you should know about the Pursteam Handheld Steam Cleaner.
No Lock-on Button
There’s no lock-on button. You have to constantly press down on the trigger for steam to come out, which can hurt your hand after a while. The fact that it’s fairly heavy doesn’t help either. If anything, it’ll only tire out your arm faster.
Short Cord
The cord is definitely on the short side. Unless you’re cleaning a small area, you will have to unplug and replug often.
You Have to Wait For It To Cool Down
Once you run out of water, you have to let the machine rest and cool down for at least 30 minutes before you can take off the cap to refill (it won’t come off physically until it’s completely cooled down. Despite it being a safety feature, it can be quite inconvenient.
No Water Level Indicator
The handheld steamer doesn’t come with a water level indicator so it’s impossible to tell how much water you have left in the tank until you’ve run out. Even if you open the cap, you won’t be able to see anything.
It Runs Out of Steam Quickly
The Pursteam will blast steam for 30 seconds before stopping, after which you’ll have to wait for it to heat up again. In other words, it’s not the most efficient thing you use if you’re cleaning a large area. You’ll spend more time waiting around than cleaning.
Not Meant For Heavy Duty Cleaning
The device isn’t meant for heavy cleaning. If anything, it’s only good for light jobs. For one thing, the pressure is minimal at best. In other words, you’ll still have to scrub to remove stains, even with the steam. And sometimes, it’ll spit out more water than steam.
Instructions Aren’t Clear
The product comes with an instruction manual but it isn’t very clear at all (it’s filled with safety warnings more than anything). Thankfully, the machine isn’t that hard to figure out on your own but still, it would have been nice if they included some helpful information.
Lid Problems
Several people have experienced problems with the lid where it’ll spin continuously and won’t come off. Considering how common it is, there’s probably a flaw with how it’s designed.
How Well Does It Clean?
The Puresteam Handheld Steam Cleaner is good for light jobs. For example, you can use it to remove sticky, gooey spots from countertops or floors. Don’t expect it to remove years worth of grease or mold from large areas, though, because it won’t. You’ll need something more substantial for things like that. For one thing, the machine only holds a certain amount of water; you’ll run out of steam before you’re even 1/3rd done!
Who Would We Recommend It To?
- People who’re looking for a steam cleaner for light jobs
- People who want to remove small stains without the use of chemicals
- People who are looking for an affordable steam cleaning machine
Cost and Pricing Information
The PurSteam Handheld Steam Cleaner retails for $54.99, however, it’s usually on sale for less. For example, it’s currently priced at $39.97 at the time of this writing and that includes free shipping in the United States.
Extra attachment parts, however, can be difficult to find. They’re not available from their Amazon shop—you have to contact the company directly via the contact form on their website and it’s unclear how much they’ll cost.