McCulloch MC1385 Deluxe Review

The McCulloch MC1385 Deluxe is an industrial-type steam mop with many tools to help attack stubborn stains and caked-on messes. These features make it great for big jobs. However, these same features make it less ideal for quick clean-ups around the house.

Performance Comparison

Cleaning Performance

The cleaning performance assessment is where the rubber meets the road for all our tested steam mops. In this assessment, we tested the McCulloch on various flooring materials, including tile and laminate. We also tested it on stains and messes that simulate the toughest clean-ups one is likely to encounter. Overall, this device did well in this assessment. However, it came into its own on the toughest messes and stains where its pressurized steam blasted through problem areas.

As mentioned above, we tested the McCulloch on several surface materials, including synthetic flooring, stone, and tile. The messes we created on these surfaces were of two types. The first was a simple mud slurry that we splattered onto the test surface, stepped on, and then left to dry. The other was a mix of ketchup and coffee grounds that we painted onto the test surfaces in thick swaths. We also let this substance dry and harden. The McCulloch did well on the synthetic flooring and after a few passes, we were able to clean everything. However, the mop would occasionally get jittery when there were inconsistencies in the flooring.

On tile and stone, the McCulloch does best on more even surfaces such as smooth concrete. For example, the mop sometimes requires downward pressure to maintain full contact with bumpy surfaces like textured tile and grout. Another issue we encountered was that the steam would occasionally liquify the material it was trying to remove but not pick it up. In these cases, we would have to wipe up the remains with a paper towel. Despite this, the McCulloch was still more than capable of cleaning (and picking up) the majority of the messes we created for it.

Part of the success of the McCullock in removing stains and messes is the vast array of brushes and attachments it comes with. However, this posed another problem: sometimes, the attachments would get gunked up and need cleaning of their own. Alas, there is no perfect system for cleaning tough messes — but this steam mop gets pretty close.

Ease of Use

As the above section alluded to, sometimes cleaning tough messes is just, well, tough. This metric aims to assess which steam mops are designed to reduce difficulty in operating the device. Unfortunately, the canister design of the McCulloch poses some hurdles that make the device less convenient.

To begin with, we found the enormous 1892 ml water tank on the McCulloch is difficult to fill. The narrow opening requires you to pour water in with a provided pitcher, and the water can bubble and spill if you don't pour slowly. Suffice it to say, the tank is poorly designed. Finally, a full tank of water will take about 12 minutes to heat up — that's pretty slow compared to the other units in the class, though it's also substantially bigger.

Aside from the tank design and bulky trailer, the McCulloch does pretty well. The long handle and hose limit the time you'll have to spend moving the canister around, and the lockable trigger for the steam is nice on the hands and allows for different grips. The unit is quite stable, so it isn't likely to fall over if you tug on the hose. Finally, the mop head pads are attached with Velcro and are machine washable.

Maneuverability

This metric covers the ground between ease of use and cleaning performance. It looks at the manipulation of the mop and how good it is at accessing tight spots like corners and the edge of the floor where it comes up against a baseboard. This metric also looks at the glide action of the mop head. The McCulloch did not excel in this analysis.

Edge cleaning is difficult for most mops, yet it is a critical aspect of good design. The bulky head and rounded edges of the McCulloch make it hard to get into corners. We also found that the canister and relatively short 18-foot power cord make moving around with the mop more challenging. The handle is adjustable though, making it easier to exert the downward pressure needed to work into tight corners and over uneven surfaces.

The glide of the McCulloch is inconsistent. Depending on the flooring surface and attachment, the glide can go from smooth to rough. The mop pad doesn't stick or roll off the mop head, but the entire head sometimes catches and releases when there are inconsistencies in the floor surface. However, the smaller brushes consistently maintained great contact, as did the scrubby mop head.

Features

Few steam mops come with more features and accessories than the McCulloch. As a result, this device is better described as a steam cleaning tool than a steam mop.

The McCulloch comes with 12 accessories and attachments, including multiple mop heads, brushes, a squeegee, and a nozzle, to name just a few of them. Plus, there are many more available for after-market purchases. The unit also has a relatively large degree of adjustability in the steam pressure as set by a knob on the canister. There is a pressure gauge on the canister displaying the steam PSI and a long hose, making the short power cord less restrictive.

Should You Buy the McCulloch MC1385 Deluxe?

If a device for cleaning heavy-duty messes and large areas is in order, the McCulloch is a great choice. This steam cleaning tool has many attachments, a huge water tank, and powerful, pressurized steam to break down the toughest messes. However, it's also bulky, hard to maneuver, and slow to fire up. So, if something more convenient for quick clean-ups in the kitchen or bathroom is needed, there are better devices to consider.

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