Top 5 Steam Cleaners
Best Mop Head: Shark S5003D Genius Hard Floor Cleaning System Pocket Steam Mop Best Design: Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner Best Medium-Duty Cleaner: McCulloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner Best Heavy-Duty Cleaner: McCulloch MC1385 Deluxe Canister Steam Cleaner Most Versatile: PurSteam Steam Mop Cleaner
Best Mop Head: Shark S5003D Genius Hard Floor Cleaning System Pocket Steam Mop
This mop cleaner features a three-setting intelligent steam blaster that sprays steam directly on tough messes. It has a two-sided cloth mop head that rubs this steam into messes to loosen grime. Once you’re done, you can release the cloth head into your washing machine with the push of a button.
Key Features
5.77 pounds 220-milliliter water tank 22-foot power cord Two mop pads included One-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who liked this cleaner said that it was simple to assemble and use and that it worked on multiple surfaces. Those who didn’t like this product said that it sometimes stopped working after minimal use and that it was difficult to fill with water.
Best Design: Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner
This steam cleaner heats water to 275 degrees Fahrenheit to provide you with up to 50 minutes of steam. It comes with several accessories, including microfiber pads and extension tubes, as well as useful features, such as a built-in filling funnel, an integrated cord wrap, and a push-down handle.
Key Features
Nine pounds 54-ounce water tank 16-foot power cord Seven-minute heating time 50-minute runtime 17-piece accessory kit included Two-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Those who liked this cleaner said that it was sturdy, got rid of tough stains, and could clean multiple surfaces. Those who didn’t like this product claimed that the steam didn’t reach a hot enough temperature to be effective and that the funnel didn’t allow you to see how much water you had added.
Best Medium-Duty Cleaner: McCulloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner
This cleaner has a 48-ounce water tank and a 45-minute runtime, allowing it to tackle standard cleaning jobs without the need for a refill. It also comes with 18 versatile accessories and a long 15-foot power cord.
Key Features
12 pounds 48-ounce water tank 15-foot power cord Eight-minute heating time 45-minute runtime 18-piece accessory kit included Two-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who were happy with this product liked that it was versatile because they could use it to tackle everything from removing wallpaper to cleaning spills. Reviewers also liked that it had a high-powered steam level for tough grime. Those who didn’t like this cleaner said that the brushes wore out quickly because they were made of cheap materials.
Best Heavy-Duty Cleaner: McCulloch MC1385 Deluxe Canister Steam Cleaner
For customers who have a marathon clean ahead of them, this steam cleaner is up to the task. The 64-ounce water tank can produce enough steam for up to two hours of cleaning, allowing you to tackle your entire home without stopping.
Key Features
13 pounds 64-ounce water tank 18-foot power cord 12-minute heating time 120-minute runtime 23-piece accessory kit included Two-year warranty
What Customers Are Saying
Customers who were satisfied with this cleaner said that it was easy to use, could effectively loosen dirt and grime, and had a large water tank. Some who were dissatisfied with their purchase said that the cleaner stopped working after only a few uses because it wasn’t made from durable materials.
Most Versatile: PurSteam Steam Mop Cleaner
This steam mop can transform into a handheld cleaner to reach windows, clothes, upholstery, and other surfaces. It heats its water tank in just 30 seconds and is effective on carpet, vinyl, tile, marble, ceramic, and other surfaces.
Key Features
2.2 pounds 11.5-ounce water tank 30-second heating time 25-minute runtime 10-piece accessory kit included
What Customers Are Saying
Reviewers who left positive feedback for this steam cleaner raved about how well it cleaned hardwood floors and how quickly it heated its water tank. Those who left negative reviews said that it was prone to leaking and that it had a short power cord.
Buyer’s Guide
Steam cleaning is a chemical-free way to clean your home. However, there are several important factors to consider when determining which steam cleaner is best for you.
Type
Steam cleaners typically come in one of the following forms.
Handheld
Handheld steam cleaners are small, lightweight, and affordable. They heat up quickly, usually in under a minute, and work best for small cleaning jobs. However, they only last 10–20 minutes before their water tank needs to be refilled.
Canister
This steam cleaner has a tank, a hose, and several attachments. Canister cleaners take about 10 minutes to heat up, but they last for at least 45 minutes. Their long runtime and variety of attachments allow you to complete a wide range of cleaning tasks. However, they’re expensive, usually costing $100–$200.
Mop
This type of steam cleaner resembles a stick vacuum cleaner, as it has a long handle and a mop at the end. Steam mops are best at cleaning food spills, muddy footprints, and other dried stains on your floors. In terms of runtime and price, they fall in between handheld and canister cleaners, lasting 15–20 minutes and costing $50–$150.
Surface
Most steam cleaners can clean a variety of surfaces, including upholstery, tile, wood, granite, vinyl, and grout. Note that steam cleaners aren’t designed to clean every surface—keep them away from unsealed flooring, wallpaper, delicate fabric, cork, and other materials that don’t handle moisture well.
Portability
If you’re looking for a machine that can tackle more heavy-duty tasks, you’ll have to sacrifice portability and choose a canister cleaner. If you’re looking for a more portable model that can fit in tight spaces, consider investing in a handheld or mop version.
Attachments
Most handheld and canister steam cleaners come with a variety of nozzles, including a mop head, scrub brush, pointed nozzle, and scraper. If you want to clean more surfaces, choose a handheld or canister cleaner over a mop cleaner that only has one head.
What type of water should I use in my steam cleaner?
Most steam cleaners use tap water from your kitchen or bathroom sink. However, if you live in an area that has particularly hard water, use distilled water to prevent the high concentration of minerals from prematurely wearing out the machine.
Should I empty the tank before putting my steam cleaner away?
Yes. You’ll want to empty the cleaner’s tank of any unused water to prevent it from leaking during storage. If your cleaner has a mop head, remove the pad to prevent any mildew from growing on it.
Can I add a cleaning solution to my steam cleaner?
Most manufacturers will void your steam cleaner warranty if you add a cleaning solution to the product’s tank. However, we recommend reading your model’s manual because some manufacturers allow you to add vinegar to the tank.
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