Don't Get Burned: 1 Million Steamers Recalled

Cleaning grout is such a chore, and if you can find a useful tool to make quick work of it, all the better. But not all tools are up to the task and can cause harm.

BISSELL has received 206 reports of hot water or steam unexpectedly escaping from the steam cleaners’ attachments, including 161 reports of burn injuries from consumers, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. These steamers are used for cleaning hard-to-reach places like kitchen and bathroom grout.

About 1.7 million were sold in the U.S., and about 96,000 were sold in Canada.

BISSEL Model Numbers

This recall involves certain BISSELL Steam Shot OmniReach and Omni handheld steam cleaners with attachments. The affected model numbers are 4155, 4155L, 4155W, 4155G, 4155D, 4155J, 4155Y, 4155P, 4171, 4171L, 4171W, and 4171F. The model numbers are on the product rating label on the bottom of the unit.

Some models include an accessory nozzle, grout brush, round detail brushes, flat scraping tool, and angle concentrator tool, and may also include an extension hose, fabric steamer, and steam squeegee.

Visit the BISSELL website to for instructions on how to participate in the recall, including how to upload a photo showing the original attachment accessories.

Here is the first step.

Step 1. Stop using the following Steam Shot™ Steam Cleaner attachments immediately. Confirm your model number by turning the machine over and looking at the product rating label sticker on the bottom of the machine. The number will be listed on a large black bar on the product rating label. If your machine is subject to the recall, go to step 2.