4/ 5stars

This is a powerful but manageable machine. I have a lot of pets, and nothing cleans more effectively (and safely!) than steam! The Desiderio gets hot enough to really sterilize -- and this neutralizes odors, even stubborn pet smells. I had a nice steamer before, a lower model, but it eventually shorted out after about 3 years. It took me awhile to generate the funds and the nerve to reinvest in this kind of high-end cleaning equipment, and I knew from using my last steamer that I wanted to step it up to one that also vacuums. This is a huge price jump, but WELL WORTH IT. I used to have to follow all my steaming with a thorough wipe down, and attach cloths to the foot to clean my floors. This was hugely annoying, and less effective. Now, with the vacuum function, my floors are so clean with just one careful pass! And I can hover over problem areas for a really deep clean. The attachments clean up easily with hot water -- so much better than laundering nasty cloths! The suction power is excellent, and this is a tremendous bonus for my area rugs and upholstered furniture! The Desiderio Plus really works. There are a couple of design flaws in this machine -- as if they put so much effort into designing the most important components that they didn't give much consideration to the rest of the unit. 1. The rubber protectors that surround the wheels frequently fall off. They're not fitted securely enough and, more importantly, this machine really suffers from one-direction rolling. It would be tremendously improved by multi-directional, free-spinning wheels! It would be great if the machine just followed the nozzle -- instead, it has to be frequently realigned to head in the right direction. 2. The collection bucket has a great capacity, but it's very flimsy. I am very careful about unattaching and emptying because it feels like it could easily twist and crack. I worry about this. 3. Also, there's really no easy was to put the machine down once it's released from the collection bucket. The top part is very heavy, and has a handle that's only a one-way grip (doesn't go all the way through). After the struggle to lift it off the bucket, the only thing to do with it is try to balance it on the small pedestal that extends from the bottom that's not meant as a foot. 4. Finally, the beep that signals low water is not quite loud enough to be easily heard above the roar of the vacuum. Sometimes I hear it, but often I continue working for a bit and then notice I'm not really cleaning effectively. Despite these issues, I am so glad to be using this machine in my house!! Now my biggest problem is catching up from going almost 2 years without a powerful steamer! I'm hitting all the broad areas over the winter -- but can't wait to start getting into all the nooks and crannies with a thorough spring cleaning!