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McCulloch MC1385 Deluxe Review

A steam-cleaning powerhouse that comes with many accessories but is a bit of a pain for quick clean-ups
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McCulloch MC1385 Deluxe Review (The McCulloch is a great choice for big jobs and tough messes, but it's a bit unwieldy for spot cleaning.)
The McCulloch is a great choice for big jobs and tough messes, but it's a bit unwieldy for spot cleaning.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Price:  $200 List
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Manufacturer:   McCulloch
By Nick Miley and Genaveve Bradshaw  ⋅  Apr 24, 2023
75
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#6 of 13
  • Cleaning Performance - 40% 8.9
  • Ease of Use - 25% 5.3
  • Maneuverability - 20% 5.6
  • Features - 15% 10.0

Our Verdict

When it comes to big jobs that require a lot of steam power, the McCulloch MC1385 Deluxe is what we reach for. We like that this powerhouse has a large water tank, pressurized steam, and tons of attachments. However, its strengths are detrimental if you want to use it quickly to address an isolated mess. The mop takes about 12 minutes to heat up with a full tank of water, and its canister design isn't exactly easy to move around. But if you clean large and tough messes on the regular, this tool will live up to expectations. To see how it stacks up versus the competition, check out our best steam mop review.
REASONS TO BUY
Many accessories
Huge tank
Great at cleaning heavy stains
REASONS TO AVOID
Hard to fill tank
Bulky and heavy
Expensive

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards Top Pick Award
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Editors' Choice Award
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Best Combination Vacuum/Steam Mop
Price $200 List
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Bottom Line A steam-cleaning workhorse that has a plethora of attachments for tough messes, but it's bulky and tough to maneuverA well-designed, simple, effective, and competitively priced steam-cleaning deviceA host of attachments makes it easy and effective to clean nearly anything in your homePowerful cleaning pressure and great attachments for taking on the toughest messes and most stubborn stainsOffers both steam cleaning and stick vacuum functionality, making this an effective and versatile cleaning device
Rating Categories McCulloch MC1385 De... Bissell PowerFresh Bissell PowerFresh... Dupray Neat Steam Bissell Symphony
Cleaning Performance (40%)
8.9
9.0
8.1
9.4
6.9
Ease of Use (25%)
5.3
8.1
8.1
6.6
8.2
Maneuverability (20%)
5.6
7.8
8.2
7.4
7.2
Features (15%)
10.0
6.8
7.6
6.9
7.0
Specs McCulloch MC1385 De... Bissell PowerFresh Bissell PowerFresh... Dupray Neat Steam Bissell Symphony
Steam Adjustability Dial Low, med, high Low, high No Low, high
Water Tank Capacity 1893 ml 455 ml 399 ml 1600 ml 385 ml
Water Fill Opening Diameter 1" 1" 0.75" 3.5" 1"
Pad Attachment Velcro Elastic Elastic Velcro Elastic
Additional Mop Head? Yes Yes No Yes Yes
Included Pads 6 2 2 3 2
Cleaning Brush? Yes No Yes Yes No
Hose Attachment? Yes No Yes Yes
6'6" hose
No
Cord Length 18' 23' 25' 16' 25'
Additional Accessories Included Large mop head and 16.5" extension wands, microfiber mop pad, scrubbing mop pad, and bristle brush attachment, large brush and 4" triangle brush, jet nozzle, angled nozzle, 3" scrapper, and 9" squeegee, 2.5" round scrub pad and 2.5" round brush, nylon utility brush and 1.5" brass utility brush, storage bag, accessory net, and fill cup Microfiber soft pad, microfiber scrubby pad, spring breeze fragrance discs and a carpet glider Built-in scrubber, squeegee, hose, medium cleaning head, small cleaning head, grout tool, small scraper, precision power nozzle, 3 small scrubbing brushes, microfiber cloth Large scrubber, squeegee, precision power nozzle, 5 scrubbing brushes, copper scrubbing brush, microfiber cloth Vaccuum

Our Analysis and Test Results

The McCulloch MC1385 Deluxe is an industrial-type steam mop with many tools to help attack stubborn stains and caked-on messes. These features make it great for big jobs. However, these same features make it less ideal for quick clean-ups around the house.

Performance Comparison


mcculloch mc1385 deluxe - the mcculloch is a great choice for big jobs and tough messes, but...
The McCulloch is a great choice for big jobs and tough messes, but it's a bit unwieldy for spot cleaning.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Cleaning Performance


The cleaning performance assessment is where the rubber meets the road for all our tested steam mops. In this assessment, we tested the McCulloch on various flooring materials, including tile and laminate. We also tested it on stains and messes that simulate the toughest clean-ups one is likely to encounter. Overall, this device did well in this assessment. However, it came into its own on the toughest messes and stains where its pressurized steam blasted through problem areas.


As mentioned above, we tested the McCulloch on several surface materials, including synthetic flooring, stone, and tile. The messes we created on these surfaces were of two types. The first was a simple mud slurry that we splattered onto the test surface, stepped on, and then left to dry. The other was a mix of ketchup and coffee grounds that we painted onto the test surfaces in thick swaths. We also let this substance dry and harden. The McCulloch did well on the synthetic flooring and after a few passes, we were able to clean everything. However, the mop would occasionally get jittery when there were inconsistencies in the flooring.

mcculloch mc1385 deluxe - the mcculloch does great on smooth surfaces but can get a little...
The McCulloch does great on smooth surfaces but can get a little jumpy on bumps and cracks.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

On tile and stone, the McCulloch does best on more even surfaces such as smooth concrete. For example, the mop sometimes requires downward pressure to maintain full contact with bumpy surfaces like textured tile and grout. Another issue we encountered was that the steam would occasionally liquify the material it was trying to remove but not pick it up. In these cases, we would have to wipe up the remains with a paper towel. Despite this, the McCulloch was still more than capable of cleaning (and picking up) the majority of the messes we created for it.

Part of the success of the McCullock in removing stains and messes is the vast array of brushes and attachments it comes with. However, this posed another problem: sometimes, the attachments would get gunked up and need cleaning of their own. Alas, there is no perfect system for cleaning tough messes — but this steam mop gets pretty close.

The powerful steam of the McCulloch busts through the toughest of messes.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Ease of Use


As the above section alluded to, sometimes cleaning tough messes is just, well, tough. This metric aims to assess which steam mops are designed to reduce difficulty in operating the device. Unfortunately, the canister design of the McCulloch poses some hurdles that make the device less convenient.


To begin with, we found the enormous 1892 ml water tank on the McCulloch is difficult to fill. The narrow opening requires you to pour water in with a provided pitcher, and the water can bubble and spill if you don't pour slowly. Suffice it to say, the tank is poorly designed. Finally, a full tank of water will take about 12 minutes to heat up — that's pretty slow compared to the other units in the class, though it's also substantially bigger.

It can be frustrating to create a mess when you're trying to clean one. this is how we felt when pouring water into the McCulloch.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Aside from the tank design and bulky trailer, the McCulloch does pretty well. The long handle and hose limit the time you'll have to spend moving the canister around, and the lockable trigger for the steam is nice on the hands and allows for different grips. The unit is quite stable, so it isn't likely to fall over if you tug on the hose. Finally, the mop head pads are attached with Velcro and are machine washable.

mcculloch mc1385 deluxe - we like the steam trigger-lock button for bigger jobs because it...
We like the steam trigger-lock button for bigger jobs because it allows one to adjust the grip for comfort and efficiency.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Maneuverability


This metric covers the ground between ease of use and cleaning performance. It looks at the manipulation of the mop and how good it is at accessing tight spots like corners and the edge of the floor where it comes up against a baseboard. This metric also looks at the glide action of the mop head. The McCulloch did not excel in this analysis.


Edge cleaning is difficult for most mops, yet it is a critical aspect of good design. The bulky head and rounded edges of the McCulloch make it hard to get into corners. We also found that the canister and relatively short 18-foot power cord make moving around with the mop more challenging. The handle is adjustable though, making it easier to exert the downward pressure needed to work into tight corners and over uneven surfaces.

The glide of the McCulloch is inconsistent. Depending on the flooring surface and attachment, the glide can go from smooth to rough. The mop pad doesn't stick or roll off the mop head, but the entire head sometimes catches and releases when there are inconsistencies in the floor surface. However, the smaller brushes consistently maintained great contact, as did the scrubby mop head.

mcculloch mc1385 deluxe - although the mcculloch's main mop head isn't great for cleaning...
Although the McCulloch's main mop head isn't great for cleaning corners, it does have attachments that address that deficiency.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Features


Few steam mops come with more features and accessories than the McCulloch. As a result, this device is better described as a steam cleaning tool than a steam mop.


The McCulloch comes with 12 accessories and attachments, including multiple mop heads, brushes, a squeegee, and a nozzle, to name just a few of them. Plus, there are many more available for after-market purchases. The unit also has a relatively large degree of adjustability in the steam pressure as set by a knob on the canister. There is a pressure gauge on the canister displaying the steam PSI and a long hose, making the short power cord less restrictive.

mcculloch mc1385 deluxe - the mcculloch has a veritable arsenal of attachments and accessories...
The McCulloch has a veritable arsenal of attachments and accessories to help you bust through challenging cleaning chores.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

Should You Buy the McCulloch MC1385 Deluxe?


If a device for cleaning heavy-duty messes and large areas is in order, the McCulloch is a great choice. This steam cleaning tool has many attachments, a huge water tank, and powerful, pressurized steam to break down the toughest messes. However, it's also bulky, hard to maneuver, and slow to fire up. So, if something more convenient for quick clean-ups in the kitchen or bathroom is needed, there are better devices to consider.

mcculloch mc1385 deluxe - the mcculloch's huge water tank and numerous attachments make it an...
The McCulloch's huge water tank and numerous attachments make it an easy choice for big cleaning jobs.
Credit: Abriah Wofford

What Other Steam Mops Should You Consider?


If quick cleaning excellence in a convenient design is needed, look no further than the Bissell PowerFresh and Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe. These similar devices are quick to heat up, easy to use and maneuver, and much less expensive than the McCulloch. However, if the robust cleaning power and accessories of the McCulloch are needed in a more maneuverable, easier-to-use format, look at the Dupray Neat Steam.

Nick Miley and Genaveve Bradshaw