Steam Cleaner Buying Guide

Why Steam Clean?

Steam cleaners contain water tanks, also called boilers, where tap or distilled water is heated to boiling to produce pressurized steam. The pressurized steam is released through a hose that you direct toward the surface you want to clean. The steam pressure loosens the dirt, thus cleaning the object. The best part? Steam cleaners use only water—not chemical solvents—to clean, which reduces the number of toxins in your home. The pressurized steam is also hot enough to kill dust mites, mold and other bacteria on contact, making them a popular cleaning method for homes with allergy sufferers.

Unlike vacuum cleaners, steam cleaners don’t provide suction, so you will need to wipe each area after cleaning. The more often you steam clean, the cleaner the surface and the less wiping you’ll need to do with each pass. Here’s how it works: Using the steam cleaner’s hose, direct the steam toward one small area at a time; immediately after steaming the area, wipe the dirt with a rag or towel, then move onto the next area. Steam cleaners can be used in bathrooms, on bedding and upholstery, paneling and some window treatments. Never use a steam cleaner on plastics, painted surfaces, wallpaper or any other surface that heat and water could damage.

Canister vs. Handheld

Canister steam cleaners are a popular choice for large jobs. Canister steam cleaners are light (under 20 pounds) and can be made even more portable with built-in wheels. Canister steam cleaners are the best choice if you’ll be cleaning several rooms or regularly cleaning large areas.

Handheld steam cleaners hold significantly less water than canister steam cleaners, so they’re best reserved for spot cleaning, small surface areas or tight spaces, like the shower, where a canister steam cleaner is too big to use. If you have children or pets (or both), you might consider purchasing a canister steam cleaner for regular cleaning and a handheld steam cleaner for unexpected messes.

Effectiveness

The most important thing to look at is the size of a steam cleaner’s water tank. A general rule of thumb is that 10 ounces of water deliver 12 minutes of cleaning time. A 50-ounce tank, then, would let you clean for about an hour. Choose your tank size wisely: most entry- and mid-level steam cleaners cannot be refilled during cleaning. You’ll need to wait for the steam cleaner to cool, then you’ll wait for the steam cleaner to heat the water to functional temperature before you can resume cleaning—a process that can add 20 to 40 minutes each time you have to stop to refill the tank. Some high-end steam cleaners feature continuous-fill systems that allow you to add water to a reservoir during the cleaning process. If you’ll be regularly cleaning large areas in your home, invest in a steam cleaner with continuous fill—the time you save will be worth it.

You’ll also want to consider the steam cleaner’s temperature range, which determines how long it takes the steam cleaner to clean. Residential and light-commercial steam cleaners typically operate at around 212 to 300 degrees. The higher the temperature, the more quickly the steam cleaner loosens dirt.

Safety and Features

The high operating temperatures of steam cleaners make safety features a key design element. Look for a steam cleaner reservoir with a safety cap, which will prevent superheated water from leaking from the reservoir and scalding people or surfaces. Also be sure the hose has an on/off safety switch. Avoid steam cleaners with safety caps that double as pressure valves—they’ll release steam if the tank pressure gets too high and you’ll risk a burn.

Most canister steam cleaners offer attachments for hard-to-reach nooks and crannies and scrub brushes to help loosen dirt. If you have hardwood floors, look for a model that comes with a floor attachment, as using other attachments, like brushes, can damage hardwoods. You may be able to purchase additional specialty attachments, so if the steam cleaner you’re considering doesn’t come with everything you need, be sure it lets you add attachments later.

Like any appliance that operates using water, steam cleaner tanks or boilers can be prone to rust or mineral buildup. Look for a steam cleaner with a stainless steel boiler to ensure a long life span and ease of maintenance. Stainless steel boilers won’t rust and are less prone to mineral buildups than other types of boilers. They also heat more quickly than boilers made of other materials.

Need to know more?

• All About Steam Cleaning
  http://www.housekeepingchannel.com/searches.php?query_string=steam+cleaners&x=8&y=6
• Allergy Buyers Club Steam Cleaner Reviews
  http://www.allergybuyersclub.com/compare-vps.html
• Steam Cleaner Buying Guide
  http://www.steamcleanersplus.com/stmcleaners-buying-guide.htm
• Steam Cleaning FAQ
  http://www.sylvane.com/steam-cleaner-faq.html