These days, the importance of having a clean, germ-free home has never been more apparent. But few of us have the time or inclination to spend all of our waking hours scrubbing and sanitizing. Also, who wants to use harsh chemicals to tame grime and bacteria?
That is where steam machines come in. At its most basic, steam cleaning heats water to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and then forces the heated water out as steam through a nozzle or other attachment. This steam loosens dirt to then kill allergens, mold, staph, and viruses. Steam cleaning is a safe, quick, effective, and relatively easy way to banish viruses and dirt, without the chemicals.
Steam cleaners come in many shapes and forms, so keep all of the following in mind before settling on a purchase:
Type and Weight:There are mops, canisters, handheld steam cleaners, and more available. Think about the size of the space you want to clean and how many flights of stairs you have to climb before clicking “buy now.” Obviously the bulkier,
Water Tank:Do you picture yourself doing a quick 10-minute steam cleaning now and then, or will you need a steam cleaner that can last for 30 minutes to an hour or more? The water tank capacity varies considerably from model to model.
Hard Versus Soft:Some steam cleaners are designed for both hard and soft surfaces, others are better for one or the other.
There are a variety of steam machines for homes and businesses, all of which can be used on floors, surfaces, and fabrics. We rounded up the best steam cleaners for your needs and budget.
This 7-in-1 steam mop is one of the most efficient and versatile products on the market. The BLACK + DECKER mop zaps dirt and grime from vertical and horizontal surfaces, including countertops, tubs, high chairs, and more.
The high-capacity tank will keep you in steam for up to 20 minutes, and the SmartSelect control system allows you to control the stream of steam needed for the task, while also keeping a steady flow coming, so you don’t have to constantly push a button or pull a trigger.
The steam heats up in just 20 seconds, and the mop’s lighter weight (6 pounds) makes it practical for toting up and down the stairs as needed. Multiple accessories are also in the package, including a steamglove, steam mop pads, steamglove pads, an accessory hose, a small plastic brush, a grout brush, and more. The range of accessories allows you to get tough on soft surfaces, too, without harming the fabric.
This handheld steamer cleans and sanitizes a variety of hard surfaces. The on-demand steam trigger allows you to control the flow of steam.
Several helpful accessories help make the steamer more versatile: The jet nozzle, round bristle brushes, grout tool, flat scraper tool, and angle concentrator tool will have you efficiently steaming every corner of your home.
It should be noted that it must be depressurized before refilling the water tank. Simply unplug the cleaner, wait 5 minutes, press the steam trigger to release built-up pressure, and then refill.
Animal lovers will also appreciate that Bissell donates a portion of every sale to the Bissell Pet Foundation and its mission to save homeless animals. This Bissell is Amazon’s number-one-selling handheld steamer.
This wallet-friendly steam mop makes cleaning chemical-free a snap. The lightweight mop (just 2.2 pounds) makes it a good bet for folks who want to clean their homes themselves but don’t have a lot of upper body strength.
The water heats up in 30 seconds, and the mop comes with machine-washable steam mop replacement pads, a detachable handheld unit, a grout brush accessory, and more.
This steam mop tackles hard and soft surfaces, including windows, mirrors, floors, carpets, and furniture. With its 10 accessories and three adjustable cleaning modes, you’ll be able to custom design your cleaning approach.
This industrial-style steam cleaner takes seven minutes to heat up, but once it’s ready to go, the large-capacity tank will have you steam-cleaning for almost an hour at a time. The portable tank weighs 9 pounds and is fitted with a 6-foot, 6-inch hose.
You can put on the steam lock for continuous steam, and the built-in funnel eliminates mess. This cleaner is safe on all surfaces and comes with several additional tools, including 3-foot extension tubes, floor tools, washable microfiber pads, a window tool, nylon brushes, and more.
This tank is perfect if you have a large space or a big family, and want an effective way to clean and sanitize your home without chemicals.
This pro-level canister steam cleaner naturally sanitizes and deep cleans a wide range of surfaces. The McCulloch cleaner comes equipped with 23 accessories, including a floor mop, mop pads, nylon brushes, a brass brush, an angled nozzle, a scraper, a squeegee, and more, plus a bag to store them in.
The large-capacity tank takes 12 minutes to heat up but then sets you up for 120 minutes of continuous steam. The 18-foot power cord allows you to plug it in and clean large spaces.
The powerful machine weighs 13 pounds, making it one of the heavier cleaners in our selection. The McCulloch also comes with a 2-year warranty and a customer service team based in Kansas.
When Spot makes a spot, getting it out can be a headache. The Rug Doctor was designed with just such a scenario in mind, with two times the suction power of comparable steam-carpet cleaners.
The sizable steam cleaner tackles wet and sticky stains from a variety of surfaces, including carpets, rugs, upholstery, pet beds, cars, and more. It is also great for cleaning up any mud and dirt that your pets track in, and manages shedding season like a pro.
The carpet-friendly wheels make moving it easier, but for those with upper body strength issues, it should be noted that this Rug Doctor weighs 19 pounds. For best results, use this with Rug Doctor Pure Power Pet Stain and Odor Solution, sold separately.
This 3-in-1 steam mop is super versatile, converting from an upright steam mop to an extended-reach surface cleaner to a portable handheld cleaner. In every iteration, it delivers a supreme level of clean.
This Bissell cleans and sanitizes floors and surfaces and comes with a built-in tool kit, including a grout tool, angle tool, flat scraper tool, and bristle scrub brush to pump up the cleaning power.
This lightweight (4.6 pounds) mop is easy enough for most people to haul up and down the stairs of their home, but the 10-ounce storage tank will require fairly frequent refills.
If you have a lot of fabric, carpet, and upholstered items you want to clean without chemicals, this Bissell is one to consider. It features a strong spray and suction tool that can eliminate serious stains, and the large tank capacity means you’ll be happily steaming away for quite some time.
The Little Green comes with a 3-inch tough stain tool, a self-cleaning hose tool, a spot and stain freshness spray, and more. It is light enough (9.65 pounds) to transport fairly easily. The machine gets high marks on Amazon, with 77% of more than 34,000 reviewers giving it 5 stars.
If you’ll mostly be cleaning floors, showers, tubs, windows, and other hard surfaces, this Steamfast is a good bet. It is designed for ease of use, with wheels, variable steam control, a steam status indicator, and a 17-foot power cord that allows you to steam a large space.
The Steamfast also comes equipped with a carrying handle and a 10-foot hose, providing added reach. 18 accessories are also included — mop pads, brushes, extension wands, squeegees, scrub tools, and more.
The Steamfast also comes with a 2-year warranty. The 10.7-pound machine moves smoothly on wheels and can be picked up and carried as well.
This Shark mop will demolish grime and dirt. The steam mop comes equipped with three steam modes, from light to deep, plus LED headlights that reveal the dust and debris lurking in corners and powerful performance, thanks to the double-threat of steam and rotating mop pads.
This Shark delivers 150 scrubs per minute, gliding over your floors effortlessly for a gentle but effective, chemical-free clean. The swivel steering, upright lock, and long 22-foot power cord mean your hard surfaces will be spic and span in a snap. The soft scrub pads are also washable.
Kathleen WillcoxKathleen Willcox is a journalist who writes about parenting, technology, shopping, food and wine.
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