Mr. Clean Magic Reach Starter Kit -Not a Good Value or a Good Product
Written: Nov 19 '04 (Updated Nov 29 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: I liked the adjustable pole and the shape of the cleaning pad mechanism
Cons: It's probably too expensive, didn't clean well, hard to use
The Bottom Line: Waste of money...
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| chrisceb's Full Review: Mr. Clean MagicReach Starter Kit |
I received a free Mr. Clean Magic Reach Starter Kit in the mail from a direct marketing company to "sneak peek" before they're even out on shelves.
I was given a kit, which contained the Mr. Clean Magic Reach 'pole' which required assembly. In the box was also a foam pad, which is in the shape of an iron and 4 packets of 'cleaning covers', two for cleaning bathrooms, and two for mopping floors.
When I opened it, I thought it was Mr. Clean’s version of "the Swiffer". It actually is, but with a twist.
The Product:
The Mr. Clean Magic Reach Starter Kit is basically an expensive sponge with an extension arm. You MUST read the directions to assemble it because even someone with the highest IQ (a-hem) can't figure it out without reading it. There are three links to the extension pole that must fit together perfectly, and then a foamy sponge type device is attached to the end of the pole. And that's not all, then you have this cleaning pad that reminds me of a pot holder that you have to fit around the foamy sponge type thing.
Ok, so if you can actually get this thing together, you must now activate the cleaning products within the cleaning pad. To do that you just submerge it in some water...hot or cold.
On the directions on the 'pad' say it can be used to clean shower walls, clean tubs, clean shower door, clean faucets. The pads included in the kit are used for mopping floors much like the Swiffer.
Do NOT use the pads designed for cleaning the bathroom to clean your floors, because you MUST rinse the product off after you scrub with it. So, if you used the bathroom pads on your floors that would mean you’d have to rinse. The bathroom cleaning pads suds up pretty good so you'd have to rinse more than once I'm sure.
Originally I missed there were two different types of pads in the box. Basically because I was in a hurry to clean my house, and wasn't really paying attention. But a lovely advisor took notice and mentioned the pads for cleaning floors! So after trying the pads for floors on my floors, I have a better opinion of the product overall.
Just some cautionary tips:
The Magic Reach cleaning pads say to not use on natural stone or colored grout and to test it in an inconspicuous area with desired pressure before use on old, worn or delicate surfaces like chrome, plastic or cultured marble.
The Magic Reach Mopping Floor pads say they are not recommended for mirrors due to streaking and to not use them on natural stone, non-sealed tiles, unfinished, oiled or waxed wooden boards or carpet. And they recommend testing on an inconspicuous area before using on old or warn surfaces like cultured marble.
Both types of pads contain no phosphates (whatever) and DO NOT FLUSH the pads! Just rinse them out and toss them in the garbage.
My Experience:
I believe the Magic Reach Pads for cleaning bathrooms are worthless. First of all it didn't even TOUCH the soap scum in my kids tub. The ring is still there. And I'm a perfectly healthy human and can bend my self over to reach any surface that needs cleaning. I have no need for a pole unless it's for floors. I CAN see that this contraption would help people who are feeble or physically challenged in some way. It will help them clean places they might not otherwise be able to reach. However, they do need to do something about the cleaning agent in the pad. I didn't feel like my bathroom was clean and sparkling like it is when I use scrubbing bubbles and an old rag.
I didn't like the scent of the product. It has a strong soapy scent and to me it just didn't smell good. I would never use just the pads on the foam iron-shaped cleaning apparatus to clean my sinks or tubs because I can use an old rag or washcloth with cleaning product on it just fine. I have no problem getting my hands dirty and found the foam pad tedious and not able to get into the little cracks and crevices to give a nice deep cleaning. They say you can take the pad on and off for better results but that's time consuming and tedious. Not to mention why is this better than an old fashioned cleaning rag and some cleaner?
I was glad to go back into my box and find the pads for cleaning floors, as I really thought the whole Mr. Clean Magic Reach was a big waste of money. I don't like the scent of the Swiffer pads and found the flat rectangular head to be difficult to maneuver around my floors and thought the SHAPE of the Magic Reach would be wonderful to clean floors, especially around furniture and in corners. The shape is great, but the product in the pad just cleans 'ok'. You don’t have to activate the floor-cleaning pad like you do the bathroom cleaning pads. And the scent isn't nearly as strong as the bathroom cleaning pads, which is a good thing.
I was right about the shape of the foam head to be great for getting into tight spaces and easy to maneuver. That I do like about the Magic Reach. But I just felt my floors had a bit of a sticky residue after using the floor pad. I wanted to get my mop out and rinse the floor after cleaning it. I specifically buy cleaning products that don't require me to rinse my floors after mopping.
See, here's the deal, my house is has a LOT of vinyl in it. Both bathrooms, a large kitchen, eating area, and front entry and a long hallway are all vinyl. It would take 3-5 of these pads to do my whole house even if it DID work the way I wanted it to. If I had a small apartment, or a house with less vinyl, it might be cost effective for me to buy this product, but based on my experience with the Magic Reach kit, I used BOTH pads on my kitchen floor alone.
I did love that I could just toss them in the garbage after I was done with them though! No mop to dry out, no bucket of dirty water to toss. And he pole design is nice because you can extend it or shorten it depending on your height.
The bottom line for me is that the Mr. Clean MagicReach is not cost effective for me and I would NEVER buy it. I found cleaning with the pad was a waste of time because I didn't feel my bathroom was getting cleaned to my standards. And I would have to use too many of the mopping pads for it to be cost effective. I think Mr. Clean could sell the cleaning pads if they actually cleaned. I 'might' buy the pads if I felt they were going to do a good job cleaning my bathrooms. But overall, I just don't see this product as being a good value.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
chrisceb
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Member: Chris B
Location: Florida
Reviews written: 367
Trusted by: 322 members
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