McCulloch MC1385 Steam Cleaner Review: Nearly 2 Years of Real Use
Hey, welcome back. I’ve had the McCulloch MC1385 for almost two years now, and it’s the one steamer I keep reaching for around the house and the garage. This review covers what it does well, where the plastic shows, and exactly who should (and shouldn’t) spend the money.
How I Use It at Home
This steamer doesn’t stay in one room. It gets used all over the house and the garage.
In the kitchen it handles the stove area, the microwave and the oven. The BBQ grill gets steamed before I scrub it. The engine bay gets a pass too.
The bathroom gets the most work. I steam the floor tile and the glass. I also use it to sanitize our sofa and both beds, and now and then I mop floors with the floor attachment.
- CHEMICAL-FREE CLEANING — Naturally deep clean without the use of harsh chemicals using hot, pressured steam to eliminate grease, grime, and stains from a wide range of surfaces including tile, grout, granite, laminate, appliances, grills, autos, and more.
- 23 ACCESSORIES — Equipped for steam cleaning jobs in and around your home including a floor mop, mop pads, nylon brushes, brass brush, angled nozzle, scrub pad, scraper, squeegee, & more. Conveniently store accessories on-board or in included storage bag.
Quick Overview
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Best For | Heavy multi-surface steaming at home and in the garage |
| Price Tier | Around $200 (check current price, it moves around) |
| Water Tank | 64 oz |
| Steam Time Per Fill | Up to 120 minutes |
| Heat-Up Time | About 12 minutes |
| Weight | 13 lbs |
| Power Cord and Hose | 18 ft cord plus 10 ft steam hose (28 ft total reach) |
| Power | 120V, 1500W (standard outlet) |
Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Huge accessory kit for the price | Lots of plastic, build feels budget |
| Up to 120 minutes of steam per fill | 12 minute heat-up (longer than the MC1375) |
| Steam control sits on the handle | Green scrub pads wear out fast |
| Trigger lock for continuous steam | Refilling while hot is messy and not recommended |
| 28 ft of combined reach, no extension cord | |
| Pressure gauge shows when something is off |
What Comes in the Box
The accessories are the real reason to buy this thing. Here’s what you get with the MC1385.
- Two extension wands for extra reach
- Triangular brush (great on carpet and upholstery)
- Angled jet nozzle
- Wire tipped scrub brushes (two)
- Nylon scrub brushes (two small and two bigger bristle ones)
- Squeegee for glass
- Scraper for gum and candy stuck to seats or carpet
- Floor attachment with two microfiber pads
- Extra scrubber attachment that fits over the triangular brush for a bigger cleaning area
- Green scrub pads
- Fill cup, carry bag, owner’s manual and a small net
That’s close to double the accessories you get with the older MC1375. I’ve never needed to buy extras.
McCulloch MC1385 Steam Cleaner Testing Results
- Steam power: Steam is strong and steady. On light dirt, I don’t even need a cleaner or a brush. The steam alone lifts it right off.
- Heat-up time: About 12 minutes. That’s three minutes slower than the MC1375 (9 minutes), but you’re heating twice the water. I fill it, plug it in and go do something else.
- Runtime: Up to 120 minutes of steam on a full 64 oz tank. The MC1375 was 90 minutes on 32 oz. Fewer refills is a big deal because topping off a hot steamer is a pain.
- Kitchen grease: Steam breaks down grease fast. I’ve cleaned greasy engine parts with steam alone and they came out surprisingly clean. For heavier buildup, add an all-purpose cleaner and a brush. Our guide on whether steam can remove grease goes deeper on this.
- Tile and glass: The jet nozzle gets into corners and the squeegee handles the glass. Good results with very little scrubbing. Keep the steam lower on delicate trim.
- Upholstery and beds: The triangular brush is what I reach for on sofas and mattresses. It sanitizes and freshens the fabric without soaking it, as long as you keep the steam moving.
- Engine bay and cars: Steam gets into cracks and crevices on interiors with the small nozzle. One rule I stick to: never blast window switches or other electrical parts on full steam. Too much water in there is asking for trouble.
Our Review
Let’s start with the honest part. This is a $200 machine and it feels like one.
There is a lot of plastic. It will not feel like a pro-grade steamer that costs $1,500 or more.
That’s the trade-off. You save serious money and give up some build quality. I’m fine with that trade for the price.
The handle controls are my favorite upgrade over the MC1375. On the MC1385, the steam adjustment is right on the handle. On the MC1375 it sits up by the pressure gauge.
Being able to turn steam up or down mid-job without walking back to the unit is huge.
There’s also a trigger lock. Squeeze the trigger, click the lock, and it steams continuously. Your hand will thank you on big jobs like a full bathroom or a whole car interior.
The 28 feet of reach (18 ft cord plus 10 ft hose) is another quiet win. You can steam around a full vehicle without grabbing an extension cord. Same story in a bathroom or kitchen.
Now the downsides. It takes 12 minutes to heat.
The green scrub pads fall apart quickly, though they work well while they last. And at 13 lbs, you will feel it on stairs, even with the carry handle.
Water matters too. Use distilled water.
Hard water leaves mineral crystals inside the tank, and that shortens the life of any steamer. If you’re not sure why a steamer stops working, our guide on what to do when a steam cleaner stops producing steam covers the usual causes.
A few small habits help. Burp the steamer first, because the first blast sends out extra water.
Tighten the fill cap all the way, or it won’t build pressure. Watch the gauge: green is good, yellow is a warning, red means it’s over pressurized.
If you’re curious how it stacks up against the older model, see my McCulloch MC1375 vs MC1385 breakdown. Or see the full McCulloch steam cleaner series comparison if you haven’t picked a model yet.
McCulloch MC1385 Rating Breakdown
| Category | Score | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Steam Power | 4.5 / 5 | Strong, steady steam on grease and grime |
| Accessories | 5 / 5 | Biggest kit in this price range |
| Runtime Per Fill | 4.5 / 5 | Up to 120 minutes on 64 oz |
| Heat-Up Time | 3.5 / 5 | About 12 minutes |
| Ease of Use | 4.5 / 5 | Handle controls and trigger lock |
| Build Quality | 3.5 / 5 | Lots of plastic |
| Value for Money | 5 / 5 | Hard to beat around $200 |
Overall Rating: 4.4 / 5
Who Should Buy the McCulloch MC1385?
Buy it if you want one steamer that can handle the whole house and the garage. It fits these jobs well.
- Kitchen cleanup: stovetop, microwave, oven and greasy surfaces
- Bathroom tile, grout and glass
- BBQ grills and outdoor cleaning (see our picks for the best steam cleaner for a BBQ grill)
- Car interiors and engine bays (our steam cleaner for engine bay roundup covers the safe way to do it)
- Sanitizing sofas and mattresses
- Light floor steaming with the floor attachment, as long as your floor type allows it.
- Anyone who wants a big accessory kit without paying pro prices
Skip it if any of these sound like you.
- You only need quick spot cleaning. A small handheld is easier to store and use. Try the McCulloch MC1230 handheld steam cleaner review.
- You hate waiting. 12 minutes of heat-up will annoy you.
- You want premium build quality. A pro machine costs far more, but it feels better.
- CHEMICAL-FREE CLEANING — Naturally deep clean without the use of harsh chemicals using hot, pressured steam to eliminate grease, grime, and stains from a wide range of surfaces including tile, grout, granite, laminate, appliances, grills, autos, and more.
- 23 ACCESSORIES — Equipped for steam cleaning jobs in and around your home including a floor mop, mop pads, nylon brushes, brass brush, angled nozzle, scrub pad, scraper, squeegee, & more. Conveniently store accessories on-board or in included storage bag.
If you’re still choosing, our Dupray Neat steam cleaner review and McCulloch MC1375 steam cleaner review are good next reads.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need distilled water in the McCulloch MC1385?
Yes, use distilled water. Hard water leaves mineral deposits inside the tank and shortens the life of the machine. Tap water might work for a while, but the buildup catches up with you.
How long does the MC1385 steam on one tank?
It’s rated for up to 120 minutes on a full 64 oz tank. That’s longer than the 90 minutes you get from the MC1375 and its 32 oz tank. Actual time depends on your steam setting.
Can I refill it while it’s hot?
It’s not recommended. When the unit is hot and pressurized, water geysers up everywhere when you open the cap. Let the pressure release first. If you want to know how a basic steamer works, read how to use a steam cleaner.
Why isn’t my steamer building pressure?
Check the fill cap first. It has a lot of threads and needs to be tightened all the way down. If the cap is loose, the unit won’t produce pressure.
Is the MC1385 safe to use in an engine bay?
It works well on grease, but be careful around electrical parts. I never blast window switches on full steam because too much water gets inside. Use lower steam near anything electrical.
Can I use the MC1385 to sanitize a mattress or couch?
yes. The triangular brush works well on both. For a bit more on beds, check our roundup of the best steam cleaner for mattress.
Is the MC1385 better than the MC1375?
For most people, yes. You get a bigger tank, longer runtime, more accessories and handle-mounted steam control. You give up a few minutes of heat-up time.
