Karcher Steam Cleaners
Verified58 reviews
This item was $500 and has gone into fault mode that can't be fixed without special tools. The steam tank safety valve cap can't be removed, so the fault can't be fixed. Before buying this product, search YouTube and see how many videos there are of people trying to remove a stuck safety valve. The SC 4 was a complete waste of money.
Reviews with attachments
I paid about $300 for the machine. It is worth it I’ve used it to clean my rugs and the bathroom., I love that no chemicals are required . Everything feels really clean and I don’t need to bend down or scrub. Perfect for anyone but particularly older people. Show details · 1
Great for cleaning tile grout and bathroom windows – It takes some getting used to but worked well. A very flexible little machine. I used the three combinations nozzle and interchange them frequently to clean my bathrooms and kitchen. To avoid too much wetness I let the first spray without the fabric. Happy that I decided to buy this machine and do the cleaning by myself. Got my end of lease clean for my apartment done in 6 hours. Show details
In-depth reviews
If you have the correct expectations, this is a good machine – The Karcher SC3 steam cleaner purely pumps steam out of a nozzle, with or without some attachment on the end. That's all it is designed to do. It is not a vacuum cleaner, so it is not supposed to suck up dirt and debris. If you expect to just whip over the floor and its clean and dry - "it aint gunna happen". Here's why: you need to operate the… Read more · 2
cleaner quite slowly because the steam needs time to blow onto the surface, heat and wet the dirt, and collect in the cloth cover. On textured tiles the SC3 has lots of steam available which is key to being effective. It is supplied at high volume and pressure. The corollary of this is that lots of steam = lots of condensed water; the cloth is wet in no time and the rest of the water will not suddenly disappear. I use an old towel to roughly dry the floor and it then dries quickly and with really pleasing results.
The SC3 is impressive because the tools can be swapped out while the machine is running and it can be refilled also whilst operating. It holds a litre of water which lasts a reasonable amount of time (not that it really matters, as it takes a few seconds to top up). The seals are strong and produce a safe locking leak free connection of tools and extension pipes. Also the cloth is easily removed during operation and rinses to 95% clean in a few seconds, under cold tap water. The cloth is excellent quality and has a "velcro" effect on small debris like fruit pips etc.
Good features: lightweight; quick re/filling and tool change; high steam pressure and volume, rapid startup from cold (maybe 45 seconds) Gripes: the cord is too short and does not retract into the unit; there is no window cleaning attachment included
What is does well: tiles and grout, real timber flooring, painted surfaces like doors and walls (if you move quickly) laminated cupboard doors and similar, glass, the microwave What failed: the unit will not dissolve calcium buildups in showers. calcium in insoluble and a chemical is required. that said, all the rest of shower dirt is removed well. I also tried a carpet stain... fail
The verdict: I spent $369 and feel quite satisfied that I have had good value for money. My house is way cleaner than prior to owning this tool (even though I mopped etc). I am still finding more uses for the unit. It has enough steam to remove cracked car window tinting and I have even had a crack at engine cleaning with it. There are things it wont do, but i did not expect it to (eg the TV ad that shows a competitor cleaning rugs with the 'handy carpet glider') but the benefits I have enjoyed well compensate the price tag.
Positive reviews
Outstanding Steam Cleaner – Used this to clean out mould from the grout in an older bathroom and it worked wonders. The machine heats up relatively quickly and produces a strong steam output, which gets in to really clean those tight and hard-to-reach spots. Show details · 1
This is a perfect Product for Performing Steam Cleaning – I fill once but i am doing tiles and the floor is dry after cleaning. Since its a new one i dont have to replace the pad and the only negative is if the cord length is atleast 2 metres you know it gives the extra feasibility instead of connecting through extensions. Show details · 1
Negative reviews
Product quality – My SC2 'exploded' on my cleaning person. After being refused consideration by the support department because it " had not been descaled" , an assumption on their part, the power cable was found to be faulty. Submitting photographic evidence of the fused conductors in the burnt out cable elicited the exact same response. 1. Poor quality cable.… Read more
2. Dreadful and defensive response from support. Others have reported blown house power fuses. There could be something in this. Raymond
Hi Raymond, We are sorry to learn of your recent… Read more (+1 reply)
Not worth tis - DO NOT BUY – Purchasef 20 Jan 2023 - $147 - Bunnings. Sounds good - looks good - Katcher is a god brand - BUT the product is terrible. Hot soapy water did a better job. The 200ml tank last about a minute if you are lucky. Tried to clean a range hood filter elelement - hopeless. I had better luck running it under the laundry hot water tap - Sorry Karcher this is a dud Show details
Recent reviews
The car has steam cleaner SC5 is the best household cleaning item on the market the new model 2025 is working fast and reliable. It is so easy to steam clean the floor, grout or the oven. Steam cleaning is environmental friendly and an alternative to harsh chemicals. Highly recommended. Show details
GAME CHANGER! I am so impressed at how well this got rid of tough stains that i have been neglecting to scrub off! It has made cleaning so much quicker, efficient and FUN! https://www.instagram.com/p/DIOdYCwSL8i/
Rubbish. KARCHER Premium price Sub standard quality – Bought the Karcher SC3 about 4 years ago, used it once, placed it back in its packaging and on a shelf as I do with all my tools and equipment so they get the best of care. Went to use it Dec 2022, it will not work, a total waste of money. This is the second Karcher product that has failed, despite careful use. Profit not quality. Show details
No exactly what I was hoping for – Bought this today and so far it is ok, but not blowing me away. I really dislike that it doesn’t stay on without holding your thumb on it - I literally feel like I am getting a blister! It is working on the grout and floor tiles I bought it for, but it will be a long process. I have to refill it with each row of tiles and only 200 mls at a time.… Read more
For those who said you can’t open it to refill, hold the button down to release the last bit of steam and then open immediately - you don’t have to wait for it to cool down, just let the steam out. Despite my complaints I think it is ok though extremely time consuming.
Hi JoD, Thanks for taking the time to leave us with your… Read more
Find out how Karcher Steam Cleaners compares to other Steam Cleaners
Know better, choose better.
Waste of time – Very disappointed with this. I should have read all the reviews before buying it! It lasts a couple of minutes before it runs out of steam. Takes forever to cool down before it can be refilled. If I could refill it straight away, it would be ok as it does clean well while it is working. Show details
Hi Marie, Thanks for taking the time to leave us with… Read more
Waste of $149. Didn't clean any of the grout. Its just an expensive wet air pump. Really disappointing – Grout, air con, glass. Refill every 60s of use. Useless product. Didnt clean grout at all. Really lacks any power. Just a wet air pump really. Really disappointing as i thought they were a quality brand. Show details
Leaks a lot of water from the cleaning head and leaves everything sopping wet – From the very first use the cleaner has dripped a lot of water from the cleaning head regardless of which attachment is being used. We've tried adjusting the steam output level. We have to go round with a towel to mop up the excess water, its very inconsistent. We are careful not to overfill the unit and to leave to heat up properly. We used… Read more
other steam mods and not had this issue. We purchased it from Bunnings warehouse less than 2 months ago.
Really not happy with the product at all.
ProductReview.com.au has affiliate partnerships. These do not influence our content moderation policies in any way, though ProductReview.com.au may earn commissions for products/services purchased via affiliate links.
Hi Jayvee N, We are sorry to learn of your recent… Read more