My scunci steamer, which used to work great, but I have not used it for quite some time, heats up and the trigger will depress, but no steam comes out. Pressure is clearly building as when I take off the cap, steam comes spewing forth. I tried manufacturer's suggestion of mixing vinegar and cold water to unclog it, but that didn't work either. Suggestions?

Laurie Mueller, December 2005

truly amazing!! Works like a charm once again after following instructions. John is the man!! 14 yrs later, still getting results!

Tom, December 2020

John's tip worked!
Nice to know 14 years later this Q&A page was still helpful.

MM, May 2020

most simple, no need to use any tools
1.get some CLR
2 get 1 or 3 cc syringe
3.Use CLR full strength into steam output hole using 22 gauge needle and syringe about 3-4 cc
4. add some CLR to unit at 1:4 with water... heat.
5. wait 10 minutes and bingo

bob m, June 2018

Thanks John. Ten years on and your advice has worked once again. I used a product called CLR and dapped a bit around the brass knob with a cotton bud and left it for a few minutes. I tapped with a smaller hammer as suggested until it loosened up. Didn't bother with the toothbrush thingy. I filled the cup provided with a quarter CLR and the rest water and filled the Scunci, heated it up, and Voila!! Steaming again. Make sure to rinse it out until the water runs clear. You're a legend John!!

The Vebz, September 2016

John's solution worked perfectly. I used a hammer to hammer the button in after applying the LCR with a QTip then used pliers to pull it back out and then when I pushed it in with my finger it sprung right back! Thanks!

Briana, May 2015

Wow. It was on the way to the garbage can. Thought I'd check to see if there was any fix. I tried the vinegar. That didn't work. My problem was the trigger. It was stuck. I used the lime-a-way for toilets (all I had). I used the Q-tip on the inside as well (with the lime-a-way). Took a while and a hammer but it works better than ever! Thanks for the tips.

Reba, December 2014

Ariane scroll all the way to the bottom to find John's answer

Rebeca, September 2014

Well, mine wasn't working at all, so I followed all the instructions, and cleaned everything, but ended up with a little red rubber washer and a little brass washer and I don't know where they go!! Can someone please tell me where these parts go? I tried leaving them out altogether but now the unit sprays steam continually and the button does nothing! HELP!

BOBI, August 2014

Tried your instructions....my scunci works again! Thanks!

Pam R, August 2014

Thanks John....Worked like a charm...

HunterGatherer, March 2014

I didn't have any limeaway but tried a tub and tile cleaner called ZEP and it worked almost right away after following John's instructions. Thanks John.

Di., February 2014

I think once you follow John's advice, if you use filtered or distilled water it should hopefully prevent some if the calcium and lime build up the regular tap water causes. I learned this from my steam clothes iron suggestions. So far so good;)

Tara B., October 2013

Thanks for cluing me in about the little brass rod! I got it to work with some wd-40. Cleaned it all up with vinegar. Now it works better than ever.
Thanks again!

cristinella, September 2013

WHERE is this John Neska's answer??? lol mine is doing the same and i can't find the instructions!!

ariane, April 2013

Man, six years later and John's fix still works!! Again like another user, I used white vineagar instead of Limeaway because I did not have any at the time.


Nov 2012

Greg C., November 2012

John Neska is the man... His procedure worked great.

Fred Jones, November 2012

Omg I was just about to throw it out!!! I followed the above instructions & voila it's fixed!!!!!!! The key is to get the brass lever moving again it's hard but stay with it...

Michelle Leo, September 2012

Awesome post John. Mine is fixed now also.

Steve A., March 2012

Thank you John Neska! We followed your instructions and now its working a whole lot better.

irene, November 2011

I just fixed mine but it was not easy. When I hammered the brass knob, it got stuck. In order to push it back from the nozzle end, I had to remove the rubber nozzle. I found a tiny nut holding the brass knob and unscrewed it (not easy). The brass knob can now be pushed from the nozzle end where it completely came loose along with the spring. I cleaned these parts with vinegar and water and after putting it back together, my steamer is now working fine. I was at a point of throwing my unit away but having a little bit of patience in figuring it out worked. Thanks to all who have contributed any information about this issue. It did help.

Rey, October 2011

This is funny this thread is 6 years old and keeps on giving your fix worked great thanks John.

Mike, May 2011

John Neska I have just 4 words for you.
YOU ARE THE MAAAN!!

YCARTOON, March 2011

I am nominating John Neska to the Scunci Hall of Fame

Richard, Provo Utah, February 2011

Kudos to John Neska ~ I followed his directions for repair and now I'm steaming (literally). Easy fix~and to think my Scunci was one step away from the trash.

June Barakat, December 2010

works perfect mine was bought brand new but out of box came perfect all attachemants press trigger no steam v/ water and wd 40

MARVIN, December 2010

Thanks so much for the suggestions. I first did vinegar but ended up taking the steamer apart and sure enough it was the brass button. This saved me money since I was going to throw the steamer away after trying on my own to fix it.

D. Westfall in Alaska, June 2010

Thanks everyone. I was getting ready to throw it away and I thought I would check to see if there was anyone else that had the same problem. It works again and now I can use it. Thanks again!!

Joy, June 2010

I can't figure out how you were able to push the metal rod back and forth? I've got mine all taken apart, and my metal rod is stuck already pushed in. I can't see how you would get the black sprayer end off to get to the other end of the metal rod to move it again. Any advice? How do you get the black sprayer end off? Thanks!

Jennifer, June 2010

Mine was seized up BAD! I followed Professor Neska's instruction to the letter. It was stubborn but finally busted loose with the help of a hammer to the shaft. Be patient and let the Limeaway work. It took almost an hour. This was such a help! Thank you!

Karen, January 2010

mine did the same thing. i used vineger and clr and it still didn't work. my son came over and had a hard time figuring out why it didn't work because it was steaming great. he cut the black plastic with a knive right in front of the push valve out to release the push valve so it could be depressed more. and walla it worked!!!!! i'm so happy. i was getting ready to throw it away. and, i got no help from anybody that sells these. anyway, i hope it works for you.

sandy, October 2008

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I can now use my steamer again and feel confident that if it stops spraying I can get it repaired simply! God bless all of you for your posts on this one.

Ruth, January 2008

John Neska is a genius. I followed your directions to a tee and my Scuncii works again, YAY! Thank you!

Christine, January 2008

I followed Laurie's steps (removing the ring, removing the screws, cleaning out the areas around the brass button and tube) and it now works! I think it actually works better than it did when I got it! I did not use limeaway since I didn't have any - I used white vinegar instead.

Best of luck! p.s. the key is to make sure that brass button can move. If it doesn't move - then it won't work when you start it up again.

emily, August 2007

We took our apart like the previous person described. All we had to do was push the part where the button pushed and break it free since it wouldn't move.... and ours started to work again.

Krystal J., August 2007

The following actually unclogged my Scunci Steamer!!!!!!
Just read posts on this site, and decided to try filling Scunci Steamer with vinegar and water (50/50) mixture, then shook it up good, and then I plugged it in to heat & VOILA - IT BEGAN TO WORK AGAIN!!! (I went ahead and used the heated up vinegar & water to do a cleaning job.)

M. Regan, October 2006

I FIXED THE SCUNCI!!!!..Laurie; I figured it out.Screw off cover..Pull up rubber ring around hole..Remove 2 screws. Remove 2 screws on front round spout..Remove round spout ring..Lift up on black piece on top with trigger attatched..Now you see what the trigger pushes against. It is a little brass knob. That knob is a shaft that goes through the hole you fill in; and then has a spring on the nozzle end if you would look in the nozzle hole. I sprayed limeaway on the brass knob end. Then I sprayed Limeaway in the nozzle end where the spring is If you look in the filler hole; you will see the rod going across it. I sprayed limeaway onto the rod where it goes back through the metal to the brass side. you might have to hold the scunci sideways to the Limeaway can work. I put the Limeaway in a small dish and used a qtip to saturate the rod. Let this soak a few minuites. The I hit the brass knob end with a childs hammer. This forced the knob(rod) to gointo the metal holding it. Then I went on the spout end a used the end of a tooth brush as a rod to pound the rod back in the other direction. Try this tapping n both directions a few times. Keep adding Limeaway to the shaft on both ends. All of a sudden my rod was loose and just using my finger I could push the button very easy. Seems my water is very hard and causes calcium to build up from the steam. After using my scunci; I let it cool and push the trigger a few times to keep it loose.John NeskaJanuary 15,06

John Neska, January 2006

Laurie; I am having the same problem.Have you figured it out yet??? John Neska January 2006

john neska, January 2006