The Kärcher SC5 is one of the most powerful home steam cleaners you can buy or hire. It cleans, degreases and disinfects with steam alone, without a drop of chemicals, and on contact the steam kills almost all bacteria, viruses and mites. But the SC5 isn't for every surface. There are ways of using it that give outstanding results, and mistakes that spoil them. This guide answers the questions most often asked by first-time users.
What is the Kärcher SC5 and how does it work?
The SC5 heats water in its boiler to over 100°C and releases it under pressure as dry, hot steam. "Dry" steam contains less water than steam from a pan, so surfaces dry faster and delicate surfaces suffer less.
What sets it apart:
- hot pressurised steam that dissolves grease and limescale
- it heats up in a few minutes, about three according to the manufacturer
- a separate water tank you can top up while working, so there is no waiting
- the VapoHydro function, which adds hot water to the steam to rinse dirt away
- a set of attachments for floors, grout, glass and textiles
Where does the SC5 give excellent results?
| Surface | Attachment | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Ceramic tiles and grout | Round nozzle and brush | Excellent, steam gets into the grout |
| Ceramic hob | Hand nozzle | Excellent (cold hob only!) |
| Inside the extractor hood | Brush | Excellent for grease |
| Toilet and washbasin | Round nozzle and brush | Excellent, disinfects |
| Windows and mirrors | Squeegee attachment | Excellent, streak-free |
| Carpet (disinfection) | Textile attachment | Good for disinfecting |
| Upholstery | Textile attachment | Good for freshening |
Where must you not use the SC5?
- on laminate, except very briefly on good quality laminate, as moisture makes it swell
- on solid wood parquet without a protective finish, as moisture gets into the pores and warps the wood
- on frozen surfaces, because of the sudden temperature change
- on copper and aluminium items, which steam can tarnish
- on electrical appliances and sockets, for safety reasons
- on delicate plastics, which can warp
- on silk and delicate fabrics, which shrink and get damaged
- on walls with matt (emulsion) paint, as steam dissolves the paint
- on paper and fabric wallpaper, which moisture ruins
How to use the SC5, step by step
- Fill the tank with demineralised water, as hard water leaves limescale.
- Switch the machine on and wait until it is heated, when the light comes on.
- Choose the right attachment and, where needed, fit a microfibre cloth.
- Press the trigger and start cleaning.
- Work in short bursts of steam and wipe straight away with the cloth, without lingering in one spot.
- When the water runs low, top up the tank, without waiting for the machine to cool.
Which attachment for what
- round nozzle: grout, corners, small spaces, toilet
- grout brush: narrow and stiff, only for cement grout and stone
- hand nozzle: corners, hobs, glass
- floor nozzle with microfibre cloth: ceramic tiles and stone
- textile attachment: carpet (disinfection), upholstery, car seats
- squeegee attachment: glass and mirrors
- metal brush: extractor hood grille, barbecue, metal surfaces only
Safety
- the steam is very hot and can burn, so never point it at people or animals
- top up the tank, not the boiler
- don't use the SC5 when children are nearby
- when you finish, let the machine cool down before putting it away
- on more delicate floors, don't hold the steam in one spot for more than a few seconds
The SC5 in the kitchen
In the kitchen the SC5 gives particularly impressive results:
- extractor hood and filter: grease literally slides off with the heat of the steam
- ceramic hob: on a cold hob, a short burst of steam, then a microfibre cloth
- oven: the SC5 and a metal brush for grease, with bicarbonate of soda first for old deposits
- grout between tiles: one pass with the brush and the grout brightens without chemicals
More in the article Cleaning grease from the kitchen.
The SC5 in the bathroom
- floor and wall grout: the most effective way to remove mould from grout
- toilet: steam disinfects quickly and thoroughly
- tap and shower: limescale removed without chemicals
- mirror: squeegee attachment, streak-free
More in the article Cleaning the bathroom.
The most common mistakes
- steam on a hot ceramic hob, which can crack it
- steam on unfinished parquet or on laminate, which swells with moisture
- too much steam in one spot
- working without a microfibre cloth, as steam without wiping doesn't pick up the dirt
- ordinary tap water, which leaves limescale in the machine
More in the guide The most common mistakes when using a steam cleaner.
The SC5 for disinfection
On contact, hot steam kills:
- almost all bacteria (e.g. E. coli, Salmonella, Staphylococcus)
- most viruses on hard surfaces
- the mites it touches
- mould spores on the surface
It is one of the few ways to disinfect hard surfaces without chemicals, which matters especially in households with children, allergy sufferers and people with weakened immunity.
Hiring the SC5 in our area
You can hire the Kärcher SC5 in Dugo Selo, Sesvete, Vrbovec, Brckovljani and Sveti Ivan Zelina. It is most often hired for the big spring and autumn clean: bathroom, kitchen, floors and windows, all with one machine and without chemicals. For families with children and allergy sufferers, the SC5 is a healthier and more effective alternative to chemical disinfectants.
The SC5 room by room
- ☐ bathroom: grout (brush), toilet (round nozzle), washbasin, shower, taps
- ☐ kitchen: extractor hood, hob (cold!), grout, oven (with bicarbonate of soda)
- ☐ floors: ceramic tiles and stone (floor nozzle)
- ☐ windows: squeegee attachment
- ☐ carpet: textile attachment (disinfection, not deep cleaning)
- ☐ furniture: textile attachment (freshening the fabric)
Frequently asked questions
Can the SC5 be used on laminate?
We mostly don't recommend it. Laminate doesn't tolerate moisture and heat, so it can swell. If you still want to, only on good quality laminate, with short, quick passes without lingering and wiping straight away with a dry cloth. Don't use it on cheaper laminate, and in any case test it on a hidden spot first.
Should I use distilled water or tap water?
We recommend demineralised (distilled) water. Hard tap water leaves limescale in the machine, so it works less well and doesn't last as long. If you do use tap water, especially in continental Croatia where the water is hard, descale the machine regularly as the manufacturer instructs.
Can the SC5 remove mould from walls?
Steam kills mould spores on the surface but doesn't penetrate deep into the material. On tiles and grout the SC5 is excellent. For mould that has got into plaster or render, steam isn't enough: you need an anti-mould product and the damaged material must be replaced. More in the article Mould in the home.
How long does it take to heat up and how long can it run?
According to the manufacturer, it heats up in about three minutes. It has a separate tank you can top up while working, so you don't have to switch it off and wait. For bigger jobs, just add water as needed.
Can the SC5 be used on carpet?
Yes, for disinfecting and freshening, with the textile attachment. But the SC5 doesn't extract dirt from the fibres, that's what the Puzzi does. Steam disinfects and freshens, while the dirt stays in the carpet. For deep cleaning a carpet use the Puzzi 10/1, and the SC5 for disinfecting between cleans.
Can the SC5 replace chemical disinfectants in the bathroom?
On hard surfaces (tiles, toilet, taps) it can, as steam disinfects just as well, without toxic residue. On porous materials it can't, because steam doesn't penetrate deeply. The advantage of steam is that there are no chemicals, smells or dangerous residues, so once the surface has cooled it is safe even for children.
Is the SC5 safe for pregnant women?
It is safer than chemical products, as there are no fumes, chlorine or ammonia. The only caution is the heat: we recommend that pregnant women work in a well-ventilated room, for shorter periods and with breaks. In a ventilated space the steam disappears quickly.
How much does it cost to hire a Kärcher SC5?
You can find current prices on the Rental page. The SC5 is usually hired by the day, with attachments and instructions. Hiring pays for itself with a single big clean of the bathroom, kitchen and floors, without any shop-bought products.
Which SC5 attachments should I use for which surface?
Use the floor nozzle with its cloth for tiles and other hard floors that can take steam, the hand nozzle with its cover for kitchen surfaces, the bathroom and glass, and the small round brush for grout, taps and narrow corners. For stubborn dirt in one spot, use the focused jet without an attachment.
How much water does the SC5 hold and how long does one fill last?
The water tank holds 1.5 litres and can be topped up while you work, without switching off and waiting for the machine to cool down. According to the manufacturer, one fill cleans about 150 m² of surface.
Conclusion
The Kärcher SC5 changes the way you clean. Once you have steamed an extractor hood or bathroom grout, it is hard to go back to chemicals. With the right attachment and proper technique the results are professional and the costs minimal.
If you don't have the right equipment or simply don't feel like doing it yourself, get in touch. We can come and do the cleaning for you, or you can hire Kärcher machines and do it yourself.
