Dupray Neat vs McCulloch: Which Steam Cleaner Should You Buy?

When it comes to harnessing the power of steam for deep cleaning, Dupray Neat and McCulloch steam cleaners have earned their place in the limelight.

If you’re on the hunt for a steam cleaner that can tackle everything from grime-caked grout to stubborn carpet stains, those two are the best ones I can recommend.

However, as is all things cleaning – it isn’t a one-size-fits-all endeavor. To choose the perfect steam cleaner, you must first understand your unique cleaning needs.

Do you want to tackle hard floors, carpets, upholstery, grout, or a combination of these surfaces? Are you dealing with everyday dirt, stubborn stains, or pet messes?

By defining your cleaning goals, you’ll be well on your way to selecting the ideal steam cleaner.

4 Types of Steam Cleaners

Steam cleaners come in various shapes and sizes, each designed for specific tasks. Let’s get to know the main types:

Handheld Steam Cleaners

These compact machines are perfect for quick jobs and spot cleaning. They’re lightweight, easy to maneuver, and a great choice for small spaces or when you need mobility.

Cylinder Steam Cleaners

Cylinder steam cleaners are versatile workhorses. They come with a variety of attachments and are suitable for larger areas. If you want an all-in-one solution for your home, this is a top pick.

Steam Mops

Steam mops are engineered for cleaning hard floors. They usually look like upright vacuums and are designed to tackle tile, wood, laminate, and other hard surfaces.

Commercial Steam Cleaners

If you’re dealing with heavy-duty cleaning tasks in a commercial setting, these robust machines offer high steam pressure and can handle tough jobs. They’re not typically needed for residential use.

Each type of steam cleaner has its own strengths and limitations, so keep your cleaning needs in mind as you consider which one is right for you.

Considerations for Different Surfaces

The type of surface you’re cleaning plays a significant role in your choice of steam cleaner. Let’s break it down:

Hard Floors

If hard floors are your primary concern, you’ll want a steam cleaner that excels at this task. Look for features like adjustable steam settings, compatibility with different types of hard flooring, and ease of use for quick, efficient cleaning.

Carpets and Rugs

Cleaning carpets requires specific features. Opt for a steam cleaner with enough heat and steam pressure to penetrate the carpet fibers. It’s also essential to find a model that provides effective stain removal and sanitization.

Upholstery and Fabrics

When cleaning upholstery, you’ll need attachments and a steam control feature. This ensures you can adjust the steam output to prevent damage while effectively eliminating dirt, stains, and odors.

Grout and Tile

Cleaning grout and tile can be a daunting task. For this job, you need a steam cleaner with high steam pressure and heat. The combination of high pressure and heat effectively breaks down grime and leaves your grout looking like new.

Performance Features

Now that you have a clear understanding of the type of steam cleaner you need and what surfaces you’ll be tackling, it’s time to explore the performance features that make a steam cleaner shine:

Steam Pressure and Temperature

Steam cleaners with high steam pressure and temperature are more effective at loosening dirt and grime. Adjustable steam settings give you control, allowing you to tailor the cleaning process to the specific surface you’re working on.

Water Tank Capacity

The water tank capacity impacts how long you can steam clean before refilling. A larger tank means less downtime, making it perfect for larger cleaning jobs. Smaller tanks are sufficient for quick tasks but may require more frequent refills.

Heating Time

Quick heating times are a must if you want to start cleaning without waiting around. Some steam cleaners boast rapid heating technology, allowing you to get to work in no time.

Continuous Steam

Continuous steam generation is a game-changer for efficiency. This feature ensures you don’t have to pause your cleaning to wait for steam production. It’s particularly valuable for larger areas.

Attachments and Accessories

Attachments and accessories provide versatility, making your steam cleaner a multifunctional tool. Look for cleaners that come with a range of attachments such as brushes, nozzles, and scrubbing tools.

Cord Length and Mobility

Cord length impacts the reach and mobility of your steam cleaner. A longer cord gives you more flexibility, reducing the need for frequent plug changes. Swivel heads and maneuverability also make your cleaning tasks more manageable.

Noise Level

While not a primary consideration, the noise level of your steam cleaner can affect your comfort during cleaning. Look for models known for their quieter operation if this is a concern for you.

Safety and User-Friendly Features

Cleaning should be efficient and safe. Consider these safety and user-friendly features when making your choice:

Safety Mechanisms

Safety mechanisms are essential to prevent accidents. Look for features like locking mechanisms and child safety locks if you have little ones around.

Ergonomics and Comfort

User comfort is vital for a pleasant cleaning experience. Seek steam cleaners with adjustable handles and lightweight designs, so you can clean without straining your muscles.

Easy Maintenance

Cleaning your steam cleaner should be as hassle-free as possible. Look for models with easy-to-clean components and, even better, those that have self-cleaning functions.

Budget Considerations

Budget considerations should align with your cleaning needs and desired features. There’s a wide range of prices for steam cleaners, so establish your budget in line with your requirements. Keep in mind that a quality steam cleaner is an investment that pays off in a cleaner, healthier home.

Reviews and Recommendations

Finally, before you make your choice, don’t forget to check out reviews and seek recommendations from experienced users. Reading the experiences of others can offer valuable insights into the actual performance, ease of use, and durability of the steam cleaner you’re considering.

With that said, here at Steam Clean Queen, we are big fans of steam cleaners. And there are two that I can confidently recommend to you: Dupray Neat and McCulloch.

For three main reasons:

1. They are good alternatives to harsh chemical cleaners.
2. They have a low impact on the environment because they are 99 percent natural.
3. They are also incredibly easy to use.

So now comes the question – which one should you choose?

These multi-purpose steam cleaners are both well-known brands in the world of steam cleaners, but they differ in their uses and benefits.

N.B: For this comparison, we will focus on the Mcculloch 1385 model since it is the most popular.

Keep reading as we compare these two products and determine which is ideal for you.

Quick Overview of Dupray Neat vs McCulloch

Features	Dupray Neat	McCulloch 1385
Tank size	54 OC	64 OC
Steam time	50 minutes	120 minutes
Steam pressure	50 PSI	58 PSI
Accessories	17	23
Warranty	2-year limited warranty, Lifetime Warranty on steam cleaner boiler.	2-year warranty
Steam temperature	275°F	200° F

First Impressions

Dupray Neat

The Dupray Neat steam cleaner cleans, disinfects, and deodorizes all in one unit. This powerful steam cleaner is designed for durability, performance, and ease of use. (Check out our full review of this machine!)

“It effectively removes dirt, grease, stains, and 99.9% of bacteria, viruses, pathogens, bedbugs, mold, and other unwanted substances from any surface, including floors, furniture, toys, kitchen appliances, car interiors, grout, tiles, and bathrooms.” Says every manufacturer EVER.

But if you’ve ever tried to steam clean some real grease and dirt and goo, you’ll know better than to trust them blindly.

To really break down the dirt, the steam needs to be not just hot but super hot.

At 275°F, Dupray checks this box and definitely beats McCulloch.

McCulloch 1385

A bunch of accessories that allow you to sweep huge surfaces as well as pick out the dirt from narrowest nooks? Check.

(I especially like the ginormous head that sails through my living room like a charm.) 

Variable steam control and pressure gauge? Check.

A big tank that holds enough water for 2 hours of steaming? Check.

McCulloch’s MC1385 Deluxe Canister Steam System delivers on the basic promise: a multi-purpose steam cleaner suitable for mopping and cleaning the entire house, as well as car detailing. 

The only problem is, 200°F is a bit subpar, especially when compared to the Dupray.

It translates to more water AND less germ corpses to mop when the steaming is done.

And if your grout doesn’t seem sparkling clean after a steaming session, it’s probably because it’s not.
However, there’s one area where McCulloch gives Dupray a run for its money: the pressure, which is a) higher and b) adjustable. More on that in the next section!

Dupray Neat Vs. McCulloch: Which is Better?

Steaming Power

When buying a steamer, pay attention to the PSI (pound per square inch) or bar rating, which will indicate how well it works in smaller areas. The typical minimum pressure for a low moisture vapor steamer for homeowners or light commercial users is 58 PSI (4 bars).

The Dupray Neat is rated 50 PSI. Its intense power lets it blast through calibrated nozzles, vaporizing dust from minuscule regions. It is fully capable of spraying dry vapor into the tiniest corners, dissolving dust, dirt, and grime instantly. 

The maximum pressure of the McCulloch steam cleaner, on the other hand, is 4 bars, which is 58 pounds per square inch. It’s fair to say that the MC1385 can do slightly better than the Neat when it comes to pressure power, even if the difference between the two is marginal.

You should choose the McCulloch if you are looking for a more powerful unit. The most beautiful part is that the user can select the amount of steam pressure (water) used during continuous sprays based on their preferences.

Plus, its many accessories probably make it option #1 for auto detailing!

Water Tank and Heating Time

The tank and heating time make a huge difference.

Dragging the heavy tank around, heaving to refill and putting it down twice during a single session, and having to wait for ages until the water turns into steam can frustrate the heck out of you.

Dupray’s 54-ounce tank can house enough water to allow for 50 minutes of continuous steaming. Not great, not terrible! In fact, just enough for a mid-sized home that isn’t super yucky. It takes just 7 minutes to heat the water.

An integrated funnel means you don’t have to waste 15 minutes on aiming so that water doesn’t splash all over the place.

Dupray offers a lifetime warranty for its heating element, along with a generous two-year manufacturer warranty. Steam cleaners are pretty darn expensive, so this is a thing too.

(Doesn’t mean you should bang the head too much, though. It’s plastic, and I’m pretty sure no manufacturer would bother to accept that kind of return.) 

In contrast to the Dupray Neat’s sleek design, the McCulloch MC1385 canister-style design is much larger and rugged. With the MC1385, you can heat water to over 200° in less than 12 minutes using a 64-ounce boiler unit. That’s a full 2 hours of continuous steaming – a godsend for bigger homes!

Comparing each unit minute by minute, we can see that the Neat offers the most efficient cleaning performance (50 ounces in under 7 minutes). However, the MC1385 provides more cleaning time per tank.

Accessories

Dupray Neat comes with a comprehensive 17-piece accessory set, which includes many extension tubes, microfiber cloths, a rectangular floorhead, a handy squeegee tool, and a bunch of brushes.

You can clean carpets, upholstery, and other delicate surfaces where direct steam would melt fibers with the bonnet. 

And let me give you a friendly piece of advice: keep all the tools in a bag or container if you don’t want them to end up under the couch, in the toy bin or the cat’s litter box.

There are 23 accessories included with the MC1385, including brushes and pads. A handy scraper tool comes with the kit for efficiently removing stubborn debris from flat surfaces.

In this category of Dupray Neat steam cleaner vs. McCulloch 1385, McCulloch wins because it comes with more accessories than Neat. (More on different McCulloch models in this review!)

Portability and Compactness

No one wants to lug around clunky, cumbersome equipment every time they clean. Because these cleaners are lightweight and compact, they’re easy to maneuver and carry around.

(Keep in mind, though, that they’ll be much heavier when the tanks are full. But that goes for any steam cleaner in the world.)

The Neat’s most significant advantage over most steam cleaners is its design. The square design and compact build make it a standout among its bulkier, less attractive competitors. 

Dupray Neat weighs just 9 pounds when it is empty, so moving it up and down stairs shouldn’t be a problem.

McCulloch also comes with a sturdy handle and wheels. So, in terms of portability, these units are on par with each other.

Dupray Neat vs McCulloch 1385: The Verdict

After examining the two products side by side, one thing’s clear: both are decent in some respects, very good in others.

However, despite the MC1385’s versatility, the Dupray Neat steam cleaner is more effective since it produces steam at a higher temperature than the McCulloch.

Both the Dupray Neat and McCulloch steam cleaners offer exceptional cleaning power and quality, making it a tough decision to choose between them. The choice comes down to your specific needs, preferences, and budget.

Whichever one you choose, you can be confident that you’re investing in a powerful cleaning tool that will help you maintain a cleaner, healthier home.

Frequently Asked Questions for Dupray Neat vs McCulloch

Where is the Dupray Neat manufactured?

Dupray steam cleaner’s accessories are all made in Italy by Tecnovap®. The cleaner itself is designed in Canada.

How hot does the Dupray Neat get? 

Dupray Neat has a steam temperature of 275°F. That’s more than enough to not only kill all the germs, but also to avoid drenching your floors in water. 

How much water does a Dupray steam cleaner need?

Three liters of water will be needed on average per hour during continuous use of a steam cleaner, such as those from Dupray. Because the steam contains very little water, it does not harm upholstery, carpets, mattresses, cushions, leather, or other material.

Is McCulloch a good steam cleaner?

McCulloch is a good steam cleaner, especially if you want to clean a large area. It has a 64-ounce water tank, and you can heat water to over 200°F in 12 minutes.

Do the steam cleaners come with a variety of attachments for different cleaning tasks?

Yes, both the Dupray Neat and McCulloch steam cleaners typically come with a range of attachments, such as brushes, nozzles, and scrubbing tools, to tackle various cleaning tasks effectively.

How do the heating times of the Dupray Neat and McCulloch steam cleaners compare?

The heating times for these steam cleaners vary. The Dupray Neat is known for its quick heating time, allowing you to start cleaning in as little as 7 minutes, while the McCulloch models may take slightly longer to reach operating temperature.

What makes steam cleaning an effective cleaning method?

Steam cleaning is effective because it uses high-temperature steam to break down and lift dirt and grime from surfaces. The steam not only cleans but also sanitizes, making it a chemical-free and eco-friendly cleaning option.