Steam Cleaner Buying Guide

31/01/20

Steam cleaners are the ultimate home-cleaning machines. They provide a thorough clean as well as some great health benefits for the whole family.

Using high-heat steam, steam cleaners can cut through grease and grime while killing viruses and allergens. These multipurpose cleaning machines can be used to clean and sanitise your floors and upholstery, and even defrost your freezer!

But which steam cleaner is right for your home? Could it be the lightweight and convenient handheld steam cleaner? Or perhaps you prefer the power and versatility of an upright steam cleaner.

We take a look at the different types of steam cleaners to help you find the right fit.

Benefits of a Steam Cleaner

So why should you add a steam cleaner to your household cleaning arsenal? Here are a few reasons why steam cleaning is the simple, healthy and cost-effective option.

They're Versatile

Steam cleaners are a highly versatile cleaning machine. They can be used to thoroughly clean and disinfect hard floors and carpets, blast stubborn soap scum in the bathroom, remove built-up grease and grime in the oven, and even clean your barbecue. These multipurpose cleaners can tackle a range of cleaning tasks in every room of the house.

They Save You Money on Cleaning Products

Because steam cleaners can pretty much do it all, they eliminate the need for all those extra cleaning supplies. If you’re using a steam-only cleaner, all you need is simply add water and let your machine do the rest!

They Kill 99.9% of Germs

Bacteria, be gone! Steam mops and steam cleaners produce steam hot enough to kill 99.9% of germs and bacteria, ridding your home of hazardous pathogens and allergens that can aggravate asthma and allergy symptoms.

They're Environmentally-Friendly

When used without detergent, steam cleaners are reducing the amount of chemicals being washed down the drain and back into the water supply, making them an environmentally friendly option.

Picking the Best Brand of Steam Cleaner

When it comes to steam cleaners and steam mops, can you just buy a trusted well-known brand and hope it’ll do the trick? In a way, yes. But there’s more to it than that.

There are premium brands and everyday brands of steam cleaners, each catering to different needs. For example, Polivac focuses on large-scale commercial cleaning, while brands like Hoover, Bissell, Wertheim and Vax offer a wide range of products suitable for every household.

When you’re choosing a steam cleaner, you should consider your individual needs, home and lifestyle.

Handheld Steam Cleaners vs. Upright Steam Cleaners

Steam cleaners generally come in two designs: handheld and upright. Let’s take a look at the differences between handheld steam cleaners and upright steam cleaners to decide which is best for you.

Why Would You Want a Handheld Steam Cleaner?

Lightweight, compact and easy to carry, handheld steam cleaners are generally used for cleaning showers, windows, and ovens. These highly portable steam cleaners make it easy to clean and sanitise countertops and hard surfaces, and generally come with handy attachments such as a window squeegee, garment steaming tool, and scrubbing brush. Some handheld steam cleaners can even be used to clean upholstery and mattresses.

Handheld steam cleaners are great for cleaning:

Windows
Mirrors
Showers
Bathroom tiles
Tabletops
Stovetops
Other hard surfaces.

Why Would You Want An Upright Steam Steamer?

Offering the ultimate in versatility, these powerful deep-cleaning machines can be used to clean and disinfect hard floors, carpets, upholstery, car interiors, and more. They come with a selection of attachments for a variety of applications around the home, including garment steaming and even cleaning the walls. .

Upright steam cleaners are normally used for cleaning and sanitising:

Hard Floors
Carpets
Upholstery
Walls

2-in-1 Steam Cleaners: The Best of Both Worlds

Can’t choose between a handheld and upright steam cleaner? You don’t have to! 2-in-1 steam cleaners or multi-steamers can be used on a wide range of surfaces including:

Pros:

Windows
Floors and carpets
Upholstery
Clothing
Curtains

Because they can be used as a powerful upright cleaning machine and a handheld steam cleaner, 2-in-1 steam cleaners are your go-to for an effortlessly spotless home.

Detergent-Capable vs. Steam-Only Steam Cleaners

Many steam cleaners produce steam hot enough to kill 99.9% of nasties using only water. Some steam cleaners are detergent-capable, giving you the option to add detergent to boost your cleaning power. You might prefer a detergent-capable steam cleaner if you like the just-cleaned smell of cleaning products, or if you feel you need to take your steam clean to the next level. Fortunately, Godfreys supply a wide range of steam cleaning detergents to cater to anyone's cleaning needs.

Steam-only steam cleaners are great for homes with children and pets that may be sensitive to potentially harmful cleaning products. They only require water to provide a thorough clean, limiting the need to use toxic chemicals. This also saves you money in the long-run as you’re not forking out to replace detergent as you use it.

How is a Steam Mop Different To a Steam Cleaner?

The short answer: steam mops can’t clean beyond ground level (not including 2-in-1 steam mops), and steam cleaners can. If you have wooden, tiled, laminate or marble floors and you’re looking for a great alternative to carting around that mop and bucket, go for a steam mop. Steam mops leave your hard floors thoroughly clean and sanitised in less time. They come with reusable mop pads and scrubbing pads for tougher spots, and majority come with a carpet glider attachment to even give your carpeted surfaces a thourough clean.

FAQS

How Does A Steam Cleaner Work?

You put water in the tank (and detergent, if the cleaner is detergent-capable), it’s then heated in the onboard boiler and when it’s hot enough, the water is turned into a ‘dry’ vapour/steam. The steam is then powered through the nozzle or head of the steam cleaner, and using the combination of steam and agitation it begins to loosen dirt, grease and grime, along with killing 99.9% of germs simultaneously.

Where Does The Dirt Go?

No, it doesn’t just evaporate along with the steam. Depending on the application and the type of steam cleaner used, the loosened dirt is absorbed into the brush head, or can be wiped away with a clean cloth.

Can Steam Cleaners Remove Pet Odours?

Yes. Steam cleaners are effective at removing pet stains and odours, particularly if you use a cleaning detergent or a DIY vinegar and bicarb soda solution.