What a fair price looks like
Condition on WishThrift is described by the seller against five grades, and nobody inspects it on your behalf — so the description and the photographs are what you are buying on.
| Condition | Typical | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| New with Tags | £90 (~$120) | Unused, tags or seals intact |
| Like New | £76 (~$102) | Barely used, no visible wear |
| Good | £58 (~$78) | Light signs of use, complete and working |
| Fair | £40 (~$54) | Heavily used, or a described fault or missing part |
| For Parts | £22 (~$30) | Not working or incomplete, sold as seen |
Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026). Sellers set their own asking price; these are a starting point for judging an offer. All five grades explained.
The checklist before you pay
Large appliances that need collection and a van, and small ones that have simply been descaled badly or not at all. On cookware, the state of the coating.
Run through these before money changes hands — they are the things that decide whether a steam cleaner is worth what is being asked:
- Limescale-blocked elements
- Split hoses, a scald risk
- Missing attachments, which are model-specific
- Leaking tanks and seals
And the things worth paying more for, because they hold their value:
- Descaled units with clear elements
- Complete attachment sets
- Recognised brands with spares available
- Intact hoses with no splits
Common faults and fakes
Counterfeit premium cookware exists and is usually detectable on weight and base markings, which genuine pieces cast in rather than print.
Ask for the model number and the age, and for large appliances ask whether it can be wheeled out and whether there are stairs. Ask for a photograph of the interior.
WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything, and no marketplace check replaces your own. If a seller will not answer a direct question about condition or origin, that is the answer.
Questions to ask the seller
These are the three that get asked most often about a steam cleaner, and the answers tell you most of what you need:
Name and photograph each one. Attachments are model specific and expensive separately, so completeness is most of the value.
Run it and describe what you observe. Scale and a failing pump both reduce output and it is easily demonstrated.
Say which. Continuous-fill machines are far more practical for big jobs and it is a real distinction.
Also worth establishing before you commit:
- Descale it and run a full tank
- Inspect the hose along its full length
- Lay out every attachment and photograph them
Photographs to ask for
If the listing does not already show these, ask — a seller who has the item will send them in minutes:
- The machine with all attachments laid out together
- The unit producing steam, in use
- The hose, trigger and connector
- The tank interior and rating plate, plus any missing or damaged attachment
Details to confirm before you commit
- Type — cylinder, handheld or steam mop
- Tank capacity, heat-up time and whether it can be refilled while hot
- Every attachment included, named
- Whether it has been tested, and any scale or hose damage
Live steam cleaner listings
Nothing matching is listed at the moment. Browse kitchen & appliances for what is live now, or everything on the site — stock changes daily and new listings are free to post, so it is worth checking back.
When to buy
Lifts in spring with cleaning season and in January. Complete sets with full attachments sell within a fortnight.
Prices move against that cycle for a buyer: the cheapest time to buy is when sellers are listing most, not when demand peaks.
Paying and collecting safely
WishThrift does not process payments, hold funds or offer buyer protection — you agree the price and the method with the seller directly, which is what keeps the platform free on both sides. Meet somewhere public where you can, inspect before you pay, and keep the conversation on the site so there is a record of what was agreed. Be wary of any seller who wants to move the conversation elsewhere before you have agreed anything.
Selling one instead?
If you already have a steam cleaner sitting unused, it is free to list and there is no commission — the price you agree is the amount you keep. Read how to sell steam cleaner for what to photograph and how to price, or what steam cleaner is worth at each condition grade.
Frequently asked questions
What should I pay for a used steam cleaner?
Around £13 to £58 in good condition, more for barely-used examples and less for anything with a described fault. Compare against the seller’s photographs rather than the grade alone.
How do I check a steam cleaner before buying?
Ask for the model number and the age, and for large appliances ask whether it can be wheeled out and whether there are stairs. Ask for a photograph of the interior.
Is buying a steam cleaner second hand safe?
Yes, with the ordinary care any private sale needs. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or hold funds, so inspect before you pay where you can, meet somewhere public, and keep the conversation on the site. Large appliances that need collection and a van, and small ones that have simply been descaled badly or not at all. On cookware, the state of the coating.
See also: all buying guides · steam cleaner value guide · selling steam cleaner · Kitchen & Appliances · condition grades.