Review For Proaction Plus Handy Steam Cleaner

Overall Rating: 4/5
Price: £29.99
Get If From: Argos
Dreads Per Tank: 10 pencil thick
Good For: Medium usage (around 5hrs a week)

This steamer is perfect for small time to medium use. Its easy to setup and use, and being handheld its easily trasported (say from uni to home).

All you need to do to get started is fill the tank (you get a measuring jug that shows you the recommended amount - dont go over it, or it'll leak!!), plug it in, and wait for the red indicator light to go out. Every now and then it will come back on to re-heat the water as you use it. You can still press the steam release button, but hardly anything will come out so its best to wait :)

This steamer comes with several different heads and attachments, but i've found that I mainly use the cloth-covered flat head. This way I can smooth the dread as I steam it. The steam is evenly distributed with this head too.

Being handheld, you do need to refil the tank every 10-12 pencil thick dreads, depending on how well you steam them. To do this you need to remove the cap (which has a child lock top like a medicine bottle, so dont worry about ever knocking it over) and you need to wait for the tank to cool before you can put more water in (or you end up with jets of steam and water spewing back at you!). It is recommended that you use distilled water, but i've often used tap or even filted water and had no problems. There are also many methods of de-scaling a steamer, if the performance of your steamer goes downhill.

Everyone has different preferences when it comes to steamers, but from my own personal experience this is a good model to start with. Its reasonably priced and comes with a 1 year guarantee. You can also purchase 3 year cover and replacement for £4.99 when bought from Argos. I think its definitely worth it, since you're bound to need a new one within 3 years!

I did have trouble with my first few models (though some people never have problems, and this may be to do with batches), but Argos replaced it without any hastle - just remember to keep your receipt! And I think it was a faulty batch anyway, because the new one steams so much tighter!

Overall, I think this steamer is great considering its so reasonably priced, and I would definitely recommend it :)