Hand-held steam cleaner blows away cooties

Here's a little something for your favorite germaphobe: a 1,200-watt, dirt- and bacteria-busting steam cleaner that plugs into a standard AC socket. Bad news for grime.

The Superheated Anti-Bacterial Steam Cleaner (sniffed out by the fastidious bloggers at Gizmodo) looks a little like a volley-ball sized hummingbird, what with its bright-orange nozzle/beak and broad, black chest, which houses a 10-ounce reservoir.

Ready to blast those germs? Just pour in some tap water, add a touch of antibacterial solution (a 6.75-ounce bottle is included), wait three minutes, pull the trigger, and brace yourself for 1,200 watts of pressurized steam.

The makers of the Superheated "handheld system" ($99) claim that the cleaner will take out e-coli, salmonella and "streptococcus microbes" (which can cause such nasty infections as strep throat, meningitis, and bacterial pneumonia) as it blows away grime and dirt. Nice, although I'd think twice before aiming this thing at my computer keyboard.

The hand-held version of the cleaner comes with a kit of 10 accessories, including an extension hose, a detail brush, and a window squeegee. There's also a floor model ($129) for blasting germs off carpet, tile, and hardwood floors.

Related:
Anti-Bacterial, Superheated Steam Cleaner Resembles Bird, Cleans to OCD Standard [Gizmodo]