Best Steam Cleaner Reviews

In this steam cleaner review, you will learn a lot of shocking truths about steam cleaners and why they are preferred to traditional cleaning methods like a mop and bucket. Although steam cleaners have a lot of functions, a lot of people associate them with carpets and upholstery. Carpet steam cleaning is really growing fast in terms of popularity as more and more people rely on steam cleaners for removing bacteria and grease, as well as helping to eradicate dust mites and allergens in the home.

Steam cleaners are also known as vapor systems or vapor cleaners. They use internal boilers that heat water and then release the resulting pressurized steam through a nozzle to naturally loosen dirt and grime. In order to remove excess water, suction is not needed. This is because targeted areas are coated with a light mist that dries quickly.

Generally, steam cleaners make life easier by removing grime, dirt, and other cleaning nightmares which might occur suddenly. If you really want to ditch harsh chemical cleaners in favor of a greener cleaning method, a steam cleaner is a good way to go. Since most are detergent free, you save more money by avoiding expensive cleaning products. If you are looking for an easy way to sterilize your home then this steam cleaner review will guide you through all the different types of steam cleaners, their functions, common uses and some of the things to look out for when buying a steam cleaner.

Best Steam Cleaner Reviews – Types of Steam Cleaners

There are different types of steamers designed for use at home including steam irons, steam generators, steam carpet cleaners, steam cleaners, and more. While some make use of steam in delivering their main function, others are for cleaning with steam. However, the types of steam cleaners to choose from depend on your specific needs and the items you need to clean. Each type provides safe, effective and natural cleaning and disinfecting which helps keep you and your family healthy.

Although the main function of any steam cleaner is to clean, what to clean will vary with each machine depending on design and accessories. The difference between steam cleaners is based on how the steam is created in the apparatus. The three major types of steam cleaners are discussed below.

Hand-held Steam Cleaners

They are usually portable and easy to carry. They are also handy for small cleaning tasks and for cleaning areas that are difficult to reach, such as an oven, counter tops, grout, garments, tile, hobs, windows, upholstery, and more. They usually eliminate the need of harsh cleaning chemicals and are easy to store. They resemble a water pitcher with an opening on top for adding water to the internal boiler and a bottom near the handle that sends steam out of the nozzle. They are usually less expensive and their portability makes them easy to operate. For more information, you can read our article on Handheld Steam Cleaners.

Steam Mops

Steam mops deliver more steam cleaning and are convenient. They are used to sanitize floors and carpets. Unlike a regular mop that requires cleaning agents such as bleach and detergent, they completely eliminate the need for a harsh cleaner since they make use of heat from steam to disinfect the floors. Most of them have a small water tank and often provide dry steam. A microfiber pad is often placed right underneath the steam jet to trap dirt.

Cylinder

These are just like vacuum cleaners and they have great mobility which makes them easy to pull around the house. They are the heaviest of the three and usually carry more water which means that you do not need to refill them all the time. They have a bendy hose with different nozzles and a main body. Cylinders are often used for cleaning different surfaces including oven doors, floors, taps, grout, and upholstery.

What to Look Out for When Buying a Steam Cleaner 

Most steam cleaners are designed to perform the same job: Lift dirt and grime while sanitizing, without the need for chemicals. If you are just buying one for the first time, it is important to know what to look out for before making any purchase. For example, you may want to consider where you will be using it because most cleaners today have been designed solely for use in a specific environment. The guides below will assist you in choosing a steam cleaner that is most appropriate for your home or workplace.

What Do You Need It For?

Deciding the kind of steam cleaner to buy involves considering what your cleaning needs are. A simple steam mop will be ideal for you if you are only interested in replacing mopping with steam cleaning. But if you want to be able to steam clean everything in your home, from bathroom tiles and counter tops to mattresses and curtains, then you should consider using a more versatile unit.

Safety Features

Always check the safety features of the appliance that you are buying. Ensure to look for multiple independent mechanisms that assure your safety and that of your machine. Generally, steamers function under pressure and you want peace of mind that yours is safe to use, especially around children.

Always look out for the following safety features:  A pressure relief valve, a thermal dry boiler switch with water out light or signal, a safe filler cap and a thermal back-up switch. Also note that a drain located at the bottom of the steam cleaner allows for easy cleaning of the boiler and an adjustable steam volume makes it more convenient to clean delicate surfaces.

Durability

Always check if the steam cleaner you are looking to buy is constructed to last. Housing options are plastic or metal, just like push mowers. The fact that it is made of plastic does not mean that it is not as durable as metal. Metal can be much heavier and can cause considerable damage when dropped on your tile or banged into your walls. Do not base your decision on whether it can sustain scratches or dents since both metal and plastic housings can sustain scratches. This is not a factor for durability. Durability is determined by how the whole unit; including the interior, housing, hoses, and attachments.

Your Money’s Worth

Power and performance both affect the price of a steamer. But what influences the cost is the inclusion of accessories or cleaning tools. The best performing steam cleaners always cost more. However, you don’t have to pay through the nose in order to get a high quality steam cleaner. By checking real customer reviews, you will get to find how cleaners really perform and which ones are the best for you. Most customer reviews are true, especially from authentic websites as they will always tell you the good and the bad about each unit. You cannot always say the same for manufacturers.

Disinfecting While You Clean

The steam cleaner is also a natural sanitizer and a disinfectant. The heat that is usually provided by the steam is usually used to eliminate germs, allergen, molds, including other infections. The whole idea is to remove the dirt that you can see while killing germs that your eyes cannot see.

Warranty

Always ask for servicing and a warranty, just in case anything goes wrong with the unit.

Portability

Heavy duty cleaners with wheels are best for outdoor use, but difficult for cleaning higher areas in the home. They are also bulkier to store inside, whereas a handheld steam cleaner is best for wandering around the home, dusting, and steam cleaning as you go. To keep the weight down while in use, always go for one with a small water reservoir.

Safety Measures

Savvy shoppers should be aware of the dangers of steam as steam cleaners tend to emit extremely hot vapor which should never be aimed at people, plants, or pets. Because the attachments can become very hot, their reservoirs need to cool down slightly before they are safely refilled. Also, surfaces that are treated with varnish, oil or shellac might lose their sheen as a result of steam cleaning.

Although there are a lot of best steam cleaner reviews on the internet today, I hope you have found this review helpful. There are a lot of options for steam cleaning today. If you feel it’s not worth the overall expense or it’s just a piece of complicated machinery to your cleaning kit, then you can always opt for tried and true cleaning methods. Without a doubt, steam cleaning is an environmentally friendly way to sanitize your home or office.