Steamfast Says...

The "Buzz" on Steamfast's Steam Canister

2011-01-28T08:54:00.000-08:00

I ran across a fantastic blog post today describing one "Queen Bee's" experience with her Steamfast SF-275 Steam cleaner. She does an amazing job of detailing how she's using her steam cleaner, and actually notes some very innovative uses for steam- including cleaning house plants! (Brilliant!)

See what has the Queen Bee buzzing after the jump.

Thank you, Queen Bee for a very informative and entertaining post!

Please note, Queen Bee's review was completely unsolicited!

Steamfast Product Reviews - Online Now at Steamfast.com

2010-08-31T13:11:00.000-07:00

If you're interested in learning what others are saying about Steamfast products - check out reviews.steamfast.com. Better yet - write your own Steamfast review at our website.

We're pretty keen on reviews - here's a few reasons why:

Reviews are a way to hear what real people are saying about the product. Their input is more likely to match your experience with the product.

You should have a voice - and product reviews give you a chance to share your thoughts with the world. Steamfast's product developers have already monitor reviews - and we think it's important for our customers to know their voice is being heard - at the source. It's not just about monitoring - we're truly listening to your input. It's helps us build better products in the future.

Product reviews typically include a variety of insights onto how the product is used, how effective it is, as well as high and low points of the form and function. We've asked our reviewers to give individual ratings to a product's Performance, Value, Appearance, Quality, and Ease of use. If you think one area is more important to you, this is the perfect way to narrow down your product selections.

Go ahead - write your Steamfast product review!

Does Steam Kill Germs? Excerpt From Woman's Day Magazine Article

2010-05-14T12:04:00.000-07:00

The writers at Woman's Day magazine recently challenged several products in its recent article "Do Germ Zapping Gadgets Really Work?"

The following is an excerpt from the article, which reviewed the germ-killing abilities of steam cleaners:

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4. Germ-Killing Floor Steamer

What is it? First came the mop, next came the Swiffer, and now floor steam cleaners, like The Best Floor Steam Cleaner from Hammacher Schlemmer ($99.95; Hammacher.com), are all the rage. This one heats water to 220°F, reportedly killing bacteria, viruses and mold in the process.

Should you buy it? Yes. While it's quite a bit pricier than a mop, the germ-killing effects of this product are legitimate, says Dr. Tierno. "Anything 212 degrees and above kills microorganisms," he explains. But, for proper germ elimination, cleaning may take a while. You'll need to hold the steamer over the floor for at least 10 seconds (think of the spot under the toilet in the bathroom) to do the job, adds Dr. Tierno. Already have a floor steamer, and curious as to whether it's effective? Simply set a thermometer under the steam (being careful not to burn yourself). If the temperature registers more than 212 degrees, it's an effective product. And, better avoid your sealed hardwood floors with these products-they may cause damage."

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Note from Staff: While some steam mops may damage sealed hardwood, keep in mind that the Steamfast SF294 Three In One Steam Mop features a steam control dial that allows the user to customize the level of steam according to the surface you are cleaning!

Steamfast 3-in-1 Steam Mop - Rated "Best Floor Steamer" By Hammacher Schlemmer

2010-03-31T08:14:00.000-07:00

The 3-in-1 Steam Mop by Steamfast has been selected as the Best Floor Steamer by Hammacher Schlemmer.

Hammacher Schlemmer writes the following on the 3-in-1 Steam Mop page on its website:

"This floor steamer earned The Best rating from the Hammacher Schlemmer Institute because it cleaned up to four times faster than competing models and was easy to maneuver. The Best Floor Steamer required as few as five passes to completely remove dried dirt from laminate, wood, and tile, far superior to lesser steamers that failed to remove the detritus after 20 passes. The Best model cleaned applesauce in only seven passes, unlike other steamers that required up to 18 attempts. It was the only model that comes with a squeegee and upholstery brush attachments and converts into a handheld steamer for cleaning windows, furniture, and more. The steam cleaner heats up in only 30 seconds to produce 220º F steam that kills bacteria, viruses, and mold. Its 4 1/2-lb. streamlined design allowed analysts to easily navigate around furniture and the square-shaped head enabled thorough cleaning along walls and in corners. Includes two microfiber pads.

Plugs into AC.
49 1/4" H x 11" W x 5 1/2" D. (4 2/3 lbs.)

Steamfast Steam Mop - The Molasses Scene (Final Edit)

2009-10-06T13:20:00.000-07:00

Here's the "real" scene from the Steamfast 3-in-1 Steam Mop Infomercial. If you haven't already - be sure to check out the behind the scenes footage too.

Steamfast 3-in-1 vs. Molasses - The Real Molasses Scene from SteamFast on Vimeo.

Steamfast Infomercial - 3-in-1 Steam Mop Short Version

2009-10-06T12:51:00.000-07:00

For those of you pressed for time- here's the short version of the infomercial...

3 in 1 Steam Mop By Steamfast from SteamFast on Vimeo.

Steamfast 3 in 1 Steam Mop - Behind The Scenes Footage Of The Molasses Scene

2009-10-06T12:49:00.001-07:00

If you saw the Steamfast 3-in-1 Steam Mop Infomercial - you probably remember the scene where host Joe Fowler steams a path right through molasses. Here's some footage shot behind the scenes as the show happened.

Behind the Scenes - Steamfast Infomercial - The Molasses Scene from SteamFast on Vimeo.

Steamfast 3-in-1 Steam Mop - The Full Infomercial

2009-10-06T12:44:00.000-07:00

Here's the full infomercial for the new Steamfast 3-in-1 Steam Mop. If you didn't already see it on TV- then catch the full infomercial here. Find out why the Steamfast 3-in-1 Steam Mop is the ultimate steam mop that is so much more than just a mop!

Steamfast SF-294 Infomercial (full) from SteamFast on Vimeo.

Updated my Steam Mop LinkedIn Profile today... I like this picture alot.

2009-08-20T10:53:00.000-07:00

I realized some time ago that, despite being the boss, all of my executive photos did not reflect this. I remedied this issue today. I had my friend take a photo- she is great with a camera and I think she really captured my bosslike essence. Do you agree? Here's my LinkedIn profile if you care to connect with me. We can talk about executive strategies or golf or something.

Bird Owners Rejoice! Bird Poop Has Met Its' Match

2009-08-03T14:06:00.000-07:00

Occasionally I encounter a testimonial that needs- nay- begs to be reposted. This is one such testimonial... from Epinions...

njchicaa's Full Review: McCulloch MC1275 Steam Cleaner

There's nothing quite like scrubbing the cages of two large parrots on your day off. I spent hundreds of dollars in Poop-Off to try to make my life easier but it was impractical to use up a bottle in one use. Eventually, experienced bird owners suggested that I purchase a steam cleaner. The majority recommended McCulloch MC1275 Heavy Duty Steam Cleaner so that's what I bought.

About This Product
Aside from the main body and hose of this steam cleaner, it comes with several different hose attachments (several small round, large triangle brush, large brush, large window cleaner), a measuring cup and a funnel. The attachments are interchangeable -- you just press down the red button at the end of the hose to remove/add an attachment to the hose.

Cleaning with this machine is very easy. You simply fill up the water reservoir according to needs (1 cup full for 15 minutes of steam, 2 cups for 30 minutes, and 3 cups for 45 minutes). The tank cap must be screwed-in tightly to create a seal and then you only have to wait for about 5 minutes for steam. When the machine is ready to produce steady steam (indicated by the heating light turning off), you can manually hold down a button to dispense it. If you need to continuously spray for a long period of time, you can push the dispensing button down and then push another little nub underneath that button to produce a constant flow of steam without hurting your hand. You can either scrub the cleaning surface with the brushes that come with this machine or you also can use something else like paper towels or sponges.

When you are finished steam-cleaning, the instruction manual tells you to empty the water tank do prevent mineral buildup. If you don't actually do that, you can add some white vinegar to the water tank now and then to break up the mineral deposits.

Cost and Availability
"Santa" paid about $100 for the McCulloch MC1275 Heavy Duty Steam Cleaner. From what I've seen, the prices range anywhere between $99 and $150. A quick Google search will produce many sites that sell this steam cleaner, including Amazon and eBay. It's certainly not difficult to find.

My Experience
Cleaning dried bird poo is much MUCH easier when you have the McCulloch Heavy Duty Steam Cleaner at your side. Stains that formerly took 10-15 minutes to remove disappeared within 60 seconds. At first, I directed steam at a small area for 15-30 seconds and then scrubbed it with one of the small brush attachments included in the accessories. Some buildup and stains just vanished when they were blasted with steam from this machine. The brush did a great job of removing caked-on debris but it quickly became worn-down, flattened, and unusable. There was no way to fix the mini-brush attachment so I had no choice but to discard it. (Many people who also have this steamer have also confessed to destroying one of those little brushes in one cage-cleaning experience.) I quickly learned from my mistake, though, and now just use the mini-brush head to direct the spray of steam. Then I wipe the cage down with a damp sponge. I have occasionally used the large triangle head to clean the linoleum floor around their cages. Dried food and other stains are removed in seconds. The triangle brush is much more durable than the mini-heads. After each use I just soak it in a solution of extra-hot water and grapefruit seed extract to remove the waste and then it's ready to be stored for another time.

The best part of this machine is the fact that it can produce 45+ minutes of continuous steam. Cleaning bird cages isn't a highlight of my life but the McCulloch Heavy Duty Steam Cleaner makes the process about as fast and easy as it can be.

Overall Opinion
This steam cleaner is a great buy. It produces a steady stream of steam that allows me to clean my parrot cages easily and quickly. It comes with many attachments though some of them aren't particularly durable. For my purposes, the McCulloch Heavy Duty Steam Cleaner is just perfect.

Recommended:
Yes

-- end testimonial --

So, I am considering a new tagline: McCulloch Steam - Bird Poop Doesn't Stand A Chance.

Like it? Me either.

Also- you can buy this wonderful bird poop cleaner upper straight from Steamfast at our steam web store.

SF-435 Compact Steamer - The Best Little Travel Steamer Around

2009-07-31T14:59:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just gotta go. Gotta go out of town. Gotta go to a meeting. Gotta... have wrinkle free clothing on the road. Here's a great option... SF-435 Compact Fabric Steamer. "'How does it work?' you ask?" Why - view the video. Oh - and you don't HAVE to travel with it. It's also super-handy to have around the house. Easy to store. Easy to use. Easy to own.

SF-407 Fabric Steamer Product Review

2009-07-31T14:42:00.000-07:00

Here's a quick product review of the Steamfast SF-407 Fabric Steamer as reviewed by AlStatic... I'll call him "Al." Al seems to dig his garment steamer... and I promise - he's not on our payroll. Third party. Unbiased. Al.

See all Home & Garden reviews at Expotv

Infomercial Underway - Website Due Up Monday

2009-07-31T11:40:00.000-07:00

We know what they say about good intentions... well - I had them. I really thought I'd have time to blog my way through the whole infomercial shoot. I didn't anticipate how demanding the production would be. I managed to "tweet" my way through it- but in terms of the play by play... it's yet to come.

We shot behind the scenes all three days with our trusty Cannon XH-A1. We have 13 tapes that are being poured through as we speak. We'll pull out the good stuff and post it up. Promise. You'll see clips as they are edited on our Steamfast YouTube channel. As we edit our behind the scenes shots, Opfer is deep into editing our REAL infomercial. Right now it's timing out at 38 minutes- but our director Rob assures me that it's better to have too much than not enough. Makes sense to me.

The next big deal is going to be going live with the new, completely redesigned Steamfast website. Monday August 3 is the big day. It's been over 6 months in the making. I'll look forward to hearing what you think about it.

UPDATE:
The infomercial is complete- check the full version of the Steamfast 3-in-1 Steam Mop infomercial here. Or - pick one up for yourself on our official Steamfast 3-in-1 Steam Mop website...

And So It Begins...

2009-06-30T16:35:00.000-07:00

My first foray into the world of infomercials. Admittedly, it is very strange that legend Billy Mays passed on literally days before my inundation in this industry. I hope that's not a bad sign.

I should probably tell you what I am doing. We are filming an infomercial for a product that I will be happy to tell you all about... later. For now- what's important is that we are bringing a product with a serious twist to the "Steam mop" fray. So, why blog about this? Infomercials are a love/hate part of the fabric of American consumerism. I can honestly say I never thought I'd be in the middle of writing and filming one - and I figured I'd share my experience as an "outsider" that's turning into an insider.

Day one is complete - got to meet our talent in person (although after viewing video demos for hours prior to this, I felt like I kinda knew them.) We chose well. Scott Fowler is a pro - no question. But not a pro as in a "My way or the highway I've done this so many times that let's just cut all the BS and get to filming." Actually quite the opposite. He's been using the prouduct to be pitched for over a month now- and he's really put it through the gauntlet. I was immediately impressed by his knowledge - both of our product, and of competitor's products. If you watch any of his other infomercial work- he's got an addictive kind of energy - it comes natural to him and it's definitely not an act. You'll see more of Joe later. Also, more on our other host, Julie, later as well.

The set is under construction... note Cooper with the camera. We plan on showing some behind the scenes video of this whole process... more to come.

Today was all about script review - and our hosts really took ownership of what was a strong, but often mechanical script. It came to life today over hours of discussion and trial and error - but tomorrow is when we really get to see if our work paid off. More tomorrow... or see updates all day long at our Twitter account...

One other thing... I think it's crazy that infomercials haven't changed much since 198whenever. My hope is to make this the first "social media aware" infomercial out there. I don't know if it will truly be first- but I haven't seen anything out there that even recognizes the web outside of an ecommerce cart.