How Steam Cleaners Work
Steam cleaners are pretty straightforward. Much like an iron, they heat water in a tank and release steam at the press of a button. The high-temperature steam can be used to sanitize hard surfaces, smooth wrinkles in clothing, remove stains and loosen grime — all without the use of added detergents or chemicals.
Steam cleaners come in a few different formats:
- A handheld steam cleaner consists of a small canister with a nozzle that accepts a hose and various attachments. These are convenient for using around your house and to steam-clean your car.
- Steam mops use the power of steam to loosen stubborn stains and dirt from flooring.
- Clothes steamers generally provide a place to hang garments while you steam out the wrinkles or freshen the fabric with the handheld nozzle.
Most upright carpet cleaners use hot water and detergent to clean carpet rather than steam. You can’t use them to clean other surfaces.
Handheld steam cleaners are the most versatile models for cleaning around the house. They typically come with multiple attachments that let you tackle different tasks. Some attachments include:
- Window Squeegee: Much like a standard squeegee, this rubber blade removes water and grime from glass surfaces.
- Scraping Blades: These attachments let you scrape away messes as the steam loosens them.
- Cloth Attachments: A soft cloth attachment is good for cleaning delicate surfaces without scratching them.
- Brushes: These allow you to scrub at a stain or surface as the steam hits it.
Refer to the instructions that came with your handheld steam cleaner for more information on the attachments and their capabilities.
How to Use a Handheld Steam Cleaner Around the House
A steam cleaner may be a simple machine, but the list of things you can do with one is practically endless.
When using any steam cleaner, you should always be careful to avoid the hot steam. It can cause burns if it comes into contact with your skin. Steam can also damage some surfaces, such as unfinished wood. Check your tool’s instruction manual or do a spot test before you clean a surface for the first time. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
Tackle Kitchen Messes
You can avoid using harsh cleaners on food preparation surfaces and clean up baked-on messes using a steam cleaner.
- Clean Grout: Use a brush attachment to remove dirt and stains from tile grout in the kitchen.
- Deep-Clean the Oven: Use the brush or scraper to remove baked-on spills from the inside of your oven.
- Freshen the Refrigerator: If your fridge has an odor, you can remove the spills and germs that are causing it. You can also use a steamer to defrost a freezer.
- Sanitize Prep Surfaces: Steam is hot enough to sanitize hard surfaces. Use it on cutting boards, countertops, highchairs and sinks to kill bacteria.
- Clean Your Trash Cans: When is the last time you cleaned your trash and recycling bins? Freshen them up with a steam cleaner to reduce odors.
Make the Living Room Sparkle
Deep-clean your living room and remove stains from upholstery with a steam cleaner.
- Clean Fan Blades: Loosen the built-up dust from fan blades using the brush attachment.
- Tackle the Blinds: Make this tedious chore a bit faster by using the steam sprayer before you wipe the blinds with a rag.
- Get Streak-Free Windows: Clean the glass with the squeegee attachment and use the brush or spray nozzle to loosen dirt in the window tracks or on the screens. Use the fabric attachment to refresh the curtains.
- Remove Stains From Upholstery and Carpet: Use the brush attachment to loosen dried spills or to help lift stubborn stains.
Sanitize the Bathroom
Even with regular cleaning, your bathroom can be home to lots of germs. Deep-clean it with a steam cleaner and avoid the fumes from household cleaners.
- Clean Shower Doors and Mirrors: Use the window squeegee and brush to remove soap scum and hard water stains from a glass shower door. While you have the squeegee attached, get the spots off the vanity mirror, too.
- Sanitize the Toilet: Standard toilet cleaning tools can leave germs behind. Kill them with your steam cleaner using the spray attachment (don’t touch it to the surface of the toilet, as that could spread the germs).
- Freshen a Fabric Shower Curtain: Rather than removing your fabric shower curtain to wash it, use the clothes steamer attachment to refresh it and remove wrinkles.
- Remove Germs From Surfaces: Kill the germs on door knobs, faucet handles and more with the spray nozzle of your steam cleaner.
Clean the Kids’ Room
If it seems like your kids’ toys are always grimy or mysteriously sticky, a steam cleaner can be a big help.
- Sanitize Toys: There’s no telling how many germs are on your kids’ toys. Periodically run your steam cleaner over the surface of plastic toys to clean them.
- Freshen Stuffed Animals: Many stuffed animals or plush toys can’t go in the washer, but depending on the fabric, you may be able to steam-clean them to remove stale odors or stains. Spot-test in an inconspicuous spot or check the label before you clean the rest of the toy.
- Clean Cribs and Mattresses: If your little ones have sensitive skin or lungs, skip the harsh cleaning products and use steam to clean their crib, bed, throw pillows and mattresses.
Refresh Your Bedroom
A steam cleaner can help keep your bedroom from smelling stale, particularly in the winter when opening the windows isn’t an option.
- Clean Your Mattress: Whenever you flip the mattress, sanitize it with your steam cleaner to reduce odors and kill germs.
- Remove Wrinkles From Your Clothes: Skip setting up the ironing board. Use a clothes steamer or a handheld steamer with an attachment to remove wrinkles and freshen up non-washable garments. Check the tag for care instructions before you start.
- Freshen Up Seasonal Clothes: If your seasonal clothes come out of storage smelling musty, give them a quick shot of steam to freshen them up before you wear them.
Clean Up Outdoor Messes
Steam cleaners have lots of uses outdoors, too. Use them around your garage and patio or to clean up pet areas.
- Clean Patio Furniture: Dirt and debris can build up on your patio furniture if it’s left uncovered. Clean hard surfaces with the brush or squeegee attachment. And clean cushions and patio umbrellas with a fabric steamer.
- Sanitize Pet Accessories: Use the power of steam to clean your pet’s food and water bowl, kennel, litter box, or toys.
- Kill Germs in Plant Pots: Reusing plastic plant pots from year to year can spread plant diseases. Before you replant your veggies in the spring, sanitize the pot with a spray of steam.
- Clean Bird Feeders and Houses: If you feed your neighborhood birds, be sure you don’t contribute to the spread of disease. Sanitize feeders and birdbaths between refills and clean bird houses each season.