I loved this product when we first got, I read all the reviews, even the ones that said that there was a defect and the steam function would not last. We don't have pets but I thought this would be a great machine to use on the hardwood floors. it was great at first. Heats quickly, does not leave masses of water on the floor so they dry fast, Easy to use and easy to maintain. I used reverse osmosis water so that there would be no scale buildup. all was well until now... Vacuum still works but the steam function is no more. You can hear it start to warm up and then it starts clunking at about the time the steam should appear. The bottom part of the cleaner got very hot but still no steam. How can you rely on a product that breaks so fast? Very disappointing.