ExploriBean: Steamboy™ T1

Are you looking for a better way to clean your floors that it safe, effective, and reasonably priced? When Reliable offered to send me one of their new Steamboy™ T1 systems, I figured I would try it. I recently starting using eco-friendly cleaning products and have been enjoying my step in stewardship. However, when I found out that this system used the most eco-friendly liquid out there, water, I was even more interested.

The Reliable Steamboy™ T1 system is a steam cleaner that uses absolutely no harmful chemicals. By using the power of water, steam, and reusable microfiber pads, the Steamboy is able to remove stuck on dirt while sanitizing your floors. The Steamboy is safe to use on tiled, sealed hardwood, and ceramic floors. I was surprised to learn that this system can even be used to clean and deodorize your carpets. The Steamboy has a swivel head (180˚) and covers an 11-inch area in one swoop. Reliable states that these two aspects ensure that the system can make it’s way through small spaces and under furniture without missing any part of your floor.

To ensure your Steamboy lasts as long as possible, Reliable has included a demineralizing crystal water filter and reusable microfiber pads with the Steamboy. The demineralizing crystal filter can be replaced and the microfiber pads can be washed by hand or in your washing machine.

Here is a list of specifications and features of the Reliable Steamboy™ T1 found on Reliable’s website:

"SPECIFICATIONS

-Model: T1
-Electrical: 110V/120V
-Water capacity: 3.3 cups - 800ml
-Wattage: 1500W
-Steam ready time: Immediate
-Continuous steam: 30 minutes
-Power consumption: 13 amps
-Electrical approval: ETL
-Weight – net: 8 lbs
-Shipping dimensions: 8” x 28” x 7”
-Shipping weight: 9 lbs

FEATURES
-Steam starts immediately - No waiting
-Powerful 1500W heating element
-180º swivel head to get into tight spaces and under furniture
-11" cleaning path with swivel head
-3.3 cup water capacity
-30 minutes continuous steam

-Ergonomically designed handle to reduce hand and wrist stress
-16' electrical cord with wrap around feature
-1 water filter
-1 carpet glide”

PRICING
The Steamboy T1 system sells for $99.95 (USD) on the Reliable website and comes with two microfiber pads.

You can also purchase the Steamboy T1 system with 6 microfiber pads for $138.80 (USD) on the Reliable website. This package is currently on sale for $129.95 (USD).

Reliable is currently offering a great shipping offer:“Free Shipping - Offer applicable to orders placed online and at retail pricing only; applicable to shipping address within the continental USA and Canada only. (Does not include Alaska, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico.)”

Review
First of all, I can’t say I have ever been excited about cleaning my floors...that is until the Reliable Steamboy T1 arrived on my doorstep. Since I love gadgets and this is unlike anything I have ever owned, I was really excited to use it for the first time. The first floor I tackled was our main bathroom floor. Since it was due for a cleaning when I received the Steamboy, this was a

perfect opportunity! After reading through all the instructions, I was ready to get started.

The very first thing I did before washing my floors was swept. To make sure everything is picked up, including hair, dirt, etc., I would suggest giving your floor a quick sweep before using the Steamboy.Next, I had to attach the microfiber pad to base of the Steamboy. Each microfiber pad has a drawstring, which makes it simple to put on and take off. After using the system a few times, I found it easiest to tighten the drawstring and put a loose knot in it to make sure it stayed on throughout the entire cleaning process.

After the microfiber pad was attached to the unit, I had to fill up the water canister. The canister is small enough to fill up easily in almost any sink. Since the bottom of the water canister has a spring-loaded device, you don’t have to worry about spilling water all over when inserting the canister back into the device.

Next, I plugged in the Steamboy and placed it on my bathroom floor. I looked at the front of the Steamboy for a light, which indicates it is on and ready to go. I really like how this system doesn’t require much time to warm up. Just to make sure it was warm enough, I waited about 20 seconds. However, according to Reliable, the

steam is effective as soon as the system is turned on. I was very impressed with how fast this system works. I love things that are ready to go as soon as I am.

Then came the exciting part, actually cleaning the floor. I was so happy with how easy this was to do. Because the machine is lightweight and the front of it has a handle, it is a breeze to move around. To clean, I simply pressed the trigger on and off to ensure the stream of steam continued. When I did this, I heard the sound of steam coming from the machine (the same sound as when you use the steam function on an iron). I also saw a bit of steam rising from the base of the machine. As I looked at my floors, I noticed that they were slightly wet. As I moved to different areas of my floor, I noticed that the Steamboy did a great job of removing stuck on messes. There was one spot with a bit of dried mud and it came off without any trouble at all. I slowly moved the Steamboy back and forth a few times over the area and it was gone.

After I finished the entire floor, I unplugged the machine, took off the water canister, and turned the machine upside down to take off the microfiber pad. I noticed that right after cleaning, the microfiber pad was quite hot so I waited awhile before taking it off. When I did finally take off the microfiber pad, I was very impressed with how much dirt it picked up. It did a great job of picking up not only dirt but also little pieces of hair that I missed when I swept.

** For safety reasons, I would suggest, for those of you with children, make sure they aren’t around when you are cleaning the floors with the Steamboy and taking off the pad. It does get fairly hot.

Finally, after I finished the bathroom and took off the microfiber pad, I threw it in the wash. A few hours later, out it came clean and ready to use again.

Overall, I love this system. It has definitely exceeded my expectations. I was very surprised that how effective steam is for cleaning. My favorite aspect is that it effectively cleans and sanitizes my floors without the use of any chemicals at all. This is great because it saves the environment and doesn’t cost anything (except for the cost of the machine). In addition, I realize now that this machine will likely get me cleaning the floors more often. Generally, I hate cleaning the floors (who doesn’t?) but with the Steamboy, cleaning my floors is easy and actually kind of fun. I would definitely suggest this system to anyone looking for a more eco-friendly way to clean their floors.

What can you win? One winner will receive a Reliable Steamboy T1 steam floor mop with 6 microfiber pads and a carpet glider (a $138.30 value).

To enter, tell me what you think you would like to clean with steam and how it would benefit your family. This question must be answered to gain an entry in the giveaway.

Each of the following will give you one extra entry in the giveaway. Please make sure to leave a separate comment for each thing you do:
-Telling me the name of another Reliable product that you’d like to try.
-Reading this article, then coming back here and telling me one of the benefits of cleaning with steam.
-Subscribing to my blog via email.
-Adding my button to your blog sidebar.
-Entering one of my giveaways at Everything ‘In the Kitchen’ Up Close. Please state which giveaway you entered. This only counts as one bonus entry no matter how many giveaways you enter.
-Following me on Twitter (ihchicky). Please leave your Twitter name.
-Tweeting about this giveaway (with a link to this page) on Twitter. Please leave a link to your tweet. You can do this once a day.
-Blogging about this giveaway on your blog. Please leave a link to your blog post in your comment.

This giveaway will end on Wednesday, April 1st at 11:59pm (Central Standard Time). After the giveaway has ended, the winner will be picked randomly using random.org. EMAIL RULES: In order to win, you must provide a valid email. I will be notifying the winner by email only. Please make sure your blog profile includes your email address and make sure that it is visible. If you do not have a blogger account, please make sure you have included your email address in your post. If there is no email address provided, to contact the winner, another person will be chosen. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to the winning email notification with their complete mailing address (I will be forwarding all this information to the sponsor), If this information is not received within 48 hours, a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to residents of Canada and the US only!

Do you want to start cleaning your floors with steam right now? Reliable is offering a 20% discount off the sale price of the Steamboy T1 with 6 microfiber pads when you quote the coupon code ‘NN220’ at checkout. This offer is available to American and Canadian residents and expires on ~~April 6th, 2009~~ April 30th, 2009.

Good Luck!

Friday, April 3, 2009

Tons of Winners + Savings Offers!

Friday, March 20, 2009

Reliable Steamboy™ T1 Review & Giveaway!