Cleaning the Steam Cleaner: Maintenance & Care Tips for your McCulloch MC1385 Steam Cleaner Canister System
It’s been a couple of months since we launch McCulloch Steam in Australia, hasn't time flown by? If you are anything like us, you have been testing it on all suitable surfaces, inside and outside! With regular use, any steam cleaner will require some regular care and maintenance. Cleaning and caring for your steam cleaner is simple and an easy way to protect your investment!
Caring for your Steam Cleaner
Drain the Tank
After using your McCulloch MC1385 Steam Cleaner, it is recommended that you drain the tank between uses. This is a simple process that takes little time. After the unit is drained, allow it to air dry before sealing the system back up and storing it.
Draining the unit between uses not only ensures you won't accidentally overfill the unit next time you use it, but also prevents any impurities in the water from damaging the internal tank of your unit when it's not in use.
Clean Accessories after use.
Another tip is to always clean and dry your accessories after you use them, in particular the mop pads, so that they're ready to go when you need to use the steam cleaner next.
Remember both the scrubbing mop pads & the traditional mop pads are reusable and machine washable. Wash them on the same setting you'd use to wash your towels and let them air dry before putting them away.
Use distilled water over tap water.
We recommend the use of distilled water with the McCulloch MC1385 Deluxe Steam Canister System.
Distilled water is water that has been boiled into vapour and condensed back into liquid in a separate container. This process removes impurities from the water, making distilled water a type of purified water.
But, we also know that in a pinch (or during lockdown) tap water (aka hard water) is likely to be used in steam cleaners, even though it is not recommended. Removing the hard water scale is often the most common and overlooked aspect of steam cleaner maintenance because it involves cleaning a part of the MC1385 that you can’t see – the boiler.
Maintenance Tips
Remove Scale From the MC1385
There are a variety of descalers out there for use in steam cleaners but you can make your own from simple baking soda and water.
Whether you chose to make your own or buy from a store, either way, the cleaning process is the same;
- Fill the empty tank with your descaler;
- Seal the unit and turn the steam cleaner on so that it begins heating;
- Allow the unit to heat up and stay warm for 1-2 hours;
- After this period of time, unplug and allow the unit to cool for 3-4 hours.
- Once cooled, empty the tank;
- Rinse clean water (distilled preferably) through the system and you’re all set!
Aside from descaling the boiler system, there is little required when it comes to the maintenance of the MC1385. There are, however, a few final tips that you want to keep in mind;
Only Water, nothing else.
Except when you are descaling, do not put anything other than water in the tank.
Not only does it defeat the primary purpose of steam cleaning (to avoid the use of chemicals), but you risk damaging your steam cleaner and will void your warranty.
Avoid Water Softener at all costs. If you have a water softener system installed in your home, find another source of water for your steam cleaner.
A water softener is a whole-house filtration system that removes hardness-causing calcium and magnesium minerals from your water through a process called ion exchange. The higher the temperature of the water, the more calcium and magnesium will solidify and harden into solid deposits inside your steam system. It will shorten the lifespan of the boiler system.
Let your unit cool down first.
While doing any maintenance including descaling, make sure the unit has cooled down entirely.
The MC1385 heats water to 100 degrees Celsius so if you try and put liquid into a hot boiler system, it will spit out boiling water out of the system. Take care when cleaning or changing attachments.
Conclusion
Caring for and maintaining your Steam Cleaner will ensure the prolonged lifespan of your unit. As an additional safety precaution, make sure you register your MC1385 for warranty here.Follow us on Facebook for the latest news, tips & offers.
