Ladybug 2300 Steam CleanersLarger than the 2150 or 2200 model steam cleaners, the Ladybug XL2300 performs longer and better throughout your home. Built rugged enough for light commercial use, the XL2300 is at home steam cleaning your kitchen floor or while being used by cleaning professionals on a daily basis. With the optional TANCS system, higher temperature steam, and a built in tool caddy, this large capacity steam cleaner is a great tool for regular use and large jobs alike. Though it takes a little getting used to, steam cleaning is a great way to make your home healthier and cleaner in a variety of ways.
What I like about the Ladybug 2300Out of the box, three things struck me. First, the size of the XL2300 is larger than the 2200S or 2150 models. The size helps to account for the increased tank and boiler capacity, and when empty adds very little to the weight. The second that I noticed was the tool caddy that is built into the unit. It actually makes me think this Ladybug has a tool belt. At the base, just above the casters is a plastic band to which you can attach all of the included accessories. This is a big step up in that with other models, you can sometimes lose the accessory brushes, but with the tool belt, everything neatly attaches to the unit. The last thing I noticed were the sparkles. Similar in color to other models, what makes the Ladybug XL2300 different is that throughout the plastic body is sparkles or glitter. They don't jump out at you, but it reminded me of... a bowling ball. And that, is where the analogy ends.
After putting everything together, I prepped the unit and checked the heat time. At right around the six minute mark the light came on, indicating I was ready to start. As a good rule of thumb with any steam cleaner with steam control, begin on the lowest setting and increase the steam as needed. You want to avoid saturating the cloth right off the bat or you may end up with a longer drying time because of excess moisture. For most people the square floor tool will be the most used attachment. With hotter steam than the other two models, I was able to use the bristles to dislodge debris and caked on mess. A second pass through worked best in the kitchen and bathroom to wipe up what I loosened with the bristles. As a note about the provided cloth, it is large, so you can either cut it or use others that can be found anywhere. After using any towel, wash it and remember to dry it WITHOUT dryer sheets or the use of any fabric softener. For them to work at their best, you really want the clothes to be clean and free of any sort of chemicals commonly found in fabric softeners.
The triangular brush made quick work of steam cleaning our mattress. The bedroom is one area where the Ladybug really shines. For those that suffer from the dust mite allergy, waking up with a stuffy nose and not being able to breath is not fun. The XL2300 is great for killing dust mites and neutralizing this common allergen. It also works really well in destroying any other microscopic critters that could be calling your bed, home.
The triangle brush also worked well for tighter spaces. In the kitchen the Ladybug was more than up to the task. The steel wool style accessory used with the larger nylon brush worked really well in removing baked on gunk in oven. And on the countertops, the disinfecting power of the steam vapor and the TANCS system is very important in reducing or eliminating common viruses and bacteria associated with food that can easily make us sick.
While the kitchen is very open with few nooks, this brush worked better in the bathroom where the space is less open, particularly the tile around the toilet. Again, two passes worked best and cleaned much better than a broom/mop combination. For the grout around the shower the nylon brushes did the trick, but you may find a little better luck using a stainless or brass brush. Just take care when using the metal brushes as they can scratch certain surfaces. I suggest experimenting a little. Steam cleaning takes several attempts to get the hang of but once you do, it goes very quickly. The plain jet nozzle worked fairly well in other tight spaces (in my case, that tiny space between the refrigerator and kitchen counter as well as the seal around the refrigerator). The larger nylon brush with the steel wool worked well for the oven and even our range. (I would caution against use on a glass top range as it may scratch or scar.)
With this model I also tried some of the additional accessories that come in the free kit. The filler pads were a nice addition in that they fit in the square and triangle brushes and really increase the surface area of the cloth that is making contact with the floor and picking up debris and soil. The extra terry cloths add value, though if you ever run out, you can use nearly any right sized terry cloth or microfiber cloth. Lastly, I tried the 212 on a small coffee stain in the carpeting in our den. It worked just as good as any traditional stain removing compound except that I noticed I only had to use a small amount. Overall, the extra kit does adds versatility to the overall cleaning experience.
The steam temperature is higher on this model, but more importantly, the Ladybug XL2300 was consistent. With the pressure guage I was able to keep any eye on my boiler pressure. In the shower, where I used a lot of steam very quickly, I was able to quickly glance at the gauge and see the pressure quickly rise back to normal levels before continuing. In a similar vein, the run time is longer. Because of the larger size water tank and boiler, I was able to steam everything I wanted throughout our home with two fills. With the smaller models it took three.
The Ladybug XL2300 I tested was equipped with TANCS, and while I'll admit I did not quantify the bacteria count in my kitchen, I feel confident in the only non-chemical, EPA certified disinfectant mechanism. One thing I did notice though is for a days after I finished, the areas I steamed smelled cleaner. Even on hard surfaces, the difference was noticeable. Unlike bleach cleaners or traditional floor cleaners, vapor steam deep cleans and releases chemicals, odors and debris lodged deep in the pores of even hard materials.
What I do not like about the Ladybug 2300I would recommend this for any flooring in your home with one exception. For large carpeted areas, you can use the Ladybug XL2300, but you'll likely spend a lot of time doing it. It's best for heavily soiled areas, generally right where you walk into the room or area directly in front of the sofa or chairs. For these surfaces what you primarily are doing is killing the germs that living there while removing odors.
Compared to the lower end models, this Ladybug steam cleaner is a little heavier, and a little larger. The size and weight difference isn't a lot, but with the tool belt, you may have a little more limited access with this model. The flip side is the run time is greater and steam is hotter, so there is some give and take here.
Overall, this was my favorite of the three models I had tested to this point. The larger capacity meant fewer refills, and the steam cleaning ability was unmatched. It left my house smelling fresher with no lingering ammonia or bleach odors that often follow cleaning. The controls were simple and the wand fits to the hand nicely. The XL2300 I tested was equipped with TANCS, so an extended warranty was included. With few drawbacks other than cost, the Ladybug XL2300 is an amazing steam cleaner with the size and strength to tackle grease, grit and grime in every room of your home or office.