I'll never know how I lived without my trusty FC 5 Premium (White) floor cleaning machine.

First things first, let's get started with the prep work. I read the manual, and it's all pretty straightforward - even a total newbie could figure it out.

So, you've got your new floor cleaning machine, and you're ready to get started. I mean, I was stoked to finally have a machine that could handle all the mess my little ones make.

The first thing I do is vacuum the floor. Don't skip this step, or you'll be disappointed with the results. Although the machine has a built-in vacuum, its functions are pretty limited - it only picks up small dust particles. Anything bigger than that will just get spread around like confetti.

Dealing with tough stains (like dried-on banana peels, gum, stickers, and other stuck-on messes) is a real challenge. I mean, I've had my fair share of battles with stubborn stains, but this machine has been a game-changer.

I've found a little hack that helps - I use a plastic glass cleaner for cars, and I use it in conjunction with the vacuum to get rid of the tough stuff. My vacuum is a pretty basic Samsung model that I've had for about 7 years, and I picked it up for 3,500 rubles. It's not the fanciest thing, but it gets the job done.

(like this)

Next up, it's time to get cleaning. My place is a 3-bedroom apartment, and the floors are all covered in linoleum. I've got two little ones, aged 3.5 and 1.5 years old (that's an important fact - they're always getting into something!).

First, I fill up the water tank (with cold or room-temperature water - don't use hot water, or it'll get too hot to handle). To make things easier, I fill it up a bit above the max mark. I mean, it's not like it's going to overflow or anything, but it's just easier to have a little extra.

I then pour the excess water into the cleaning solution reservoir (up to 50 ml). It's a pretty simple process, but it's one of those things that's easy to mess up if you're not paying attention.

Next, I set up the clean water reservoir, the dirty water reservoir, and the cleaning solution reservoir. I also attach the cleaning pads according to the color coding. It's not rocket science, but it does take a little bit of finesse to get everything just right.

Alright, let's get started. I plug in the charger, turn on the device, and let it sit for 10-15 seconds on the base - just enough time to get the brushes nice and wet. Then it's time to get cleaning!

The beauty of this thing is that you don't need to put in any elbow grease - the brushes just glide across the floor with ease. The floors stay slightly damp, but no puddles form. For tougher stains, I find it's best to move the device side to side, rather than back and forth, for a more effective clean. I've tested this method multiple times, and it really makes a difference. Spills, like the ones I've had with my kids, are a breeze to clean up.

On my small kitchen, I used about 100ml of water.

The manufacturer claims that the 400ml water tank is enough for a 3-bedroom apartment, and I'd say that's true - as long as you're just doing a quick tidy. However, with my kids, I often need to refill the tank completely. Spills, stains, and messes can really add up, and that's when the extra water comes in handy. The 7m cable is super convenient.

After cleaning the floors, we need to empty the dirty water tank and rinse the brushes.

I remove the tank, pour out the water, give it a quick rinse, and then... fill it back up to the max! This water is perfect for rinsing the brushes - no need to find a measuring cup or waste time.

I pour out the dirty water, put the tank back on, and turn on the device for another 30-60 seconds. After the rinse cycle, I empty the dirty water tank again, rinse it, and then empty the clean water tank. I remove the brushes, put them back on the base for drying, and then put the device away in a safe place.

I make it a point to regularly take off the wing and give it a good rinse (there's dust that the vacuum picks up that gets stuck in there).

The brushes can also be washed in the washing machine at a temperature of up to 60 degrees.

Cleaning the entire house (kitchen, hallway, bedroom) took no more than 15 minutes, including preparation and cleaning.

Possible problems.

If the brushes aren't getting wet during cleaning, the first thing to check is whether the filter is properly aligned! My one-year-old son is always turning it around while I'm trying to fill the water.

It's also possible that the water supply hose is getting jammed (there's no mention of this in the instructions!).

You'll need to take off the wing and check if the hose is properly seated in its slot. I also found that manually pressing the water release button upwards and then putting the wing back on gives you better water flow, especially if your brushes aren't getting wet enough.

The third thing I noticed was that the vacuum's hoses might be clogged. You'll need to carefully remove the intake hoses and give them a good rinse - those two black corrugated hoses can get pretty dirty.

I've got to say, this thing has been a total game-changer for me! I used to be spreading dirt all over the floor with a regular mop, but this thing is a breeze to use. It's quick to assemble and disassemble (and wash), it doesn't spread dirt around, and my hands stay clean. Cleaning is fast and effective - I'm really impressed.

As for the downsides (which are minor for me) - it's a bit heavy. But the weight only gets in the way when I'm putting on or taking off the cleaning pads, and it's a bit of a pain to put the device on the floor. When I'm actually using it, the weight isn't noticeable.

Be prepared for the fact that it won't take up even 1 cm of skirting boards.

I made a conscious purchase, read a ton of reviews, and watched unboxing videos. I couldn't find any alternatives (except for their own brand's steam vacuum, but the price was astronomical). I thought about buying it in December 2018 as a birthday gift to myself (January 2019). One of the unpleasant surprises was that the price went up after the New Year. I missed out on the birthday discount, and we ended up buying it on January 25th, which is Tatiana's Day, with a 15% discount for 15,291 rubles. The only model available was the premium one. The difference between the regular FC5 and this one is the white color and the additional set of cleaning brushes. Plus, buying from an official dealer gives you a 5-year warranty.

Now, about the cleaning solution. It comes with a sample, which is enough for about 5 uses. I couldn't really evaluate its quality since I've only used it for a short time. There's no cleaning solution for vacuum cleaners in the nearby stores, and the dealer's store is far away. I just use water to clean it. Occasionally, I add a small amount of fabric softener to give it a nice scent.

Discounts are available periodically - during holidays and Cyber Days.

Be on the lookout for counterfeit versions – all the details you need are on the website, this link to the device

Trust me, your time is worth it – save yourself the hassle of cleaning!