Home Steam Cleaners: Mean, Green Steam Cleaning Machines?

Steam cleaners, are similar to vacuum cleaners but are specifically designed to remove deeply embedded dirt, kill bacteria and other contaminants. These machines have built-in "boilers" that super-heats the water inside to produce steam. This steam is then ejected at high pressures which effectively loosens dirt and stains on carpets and other surfaces.

. . . Carpets
. . . Floor Tiles
. . . Hardwood Floors
. . . Rugs
. . . Linoleum
. . . Upholstery (and other furnishings)
. . . Bathroom & Kitchen Tiles
. . . Outdoor Decks
. . . and more

If you make a trip to your local hardware or home improvment store, you'll find that steam cleaners come in various types and sizes: from hand-held versions for spot cleaning and stain removal to rather large industrial steam cleaners for heavy duty cleaning. However in between these two extremes is the home steam cleaner that resembles a conventional upright (or even cannister-type) vacuum cleaner.

Some steam cleaners work with prepared cleaning chemical solutions to remove stains while other types just use steam and rotating brushes to do all the cleaning.

If you are in the market for a modestly-priced but quality home steam cleaner, here are examples of models to consider:

OK, so you're pretty sure you want to invest in a steam cleaner. To be sure, the choices are many. From modestly-priced machines to mid-level and high-end steam cleaning machines, you may be overwhelmed at the variety.

Use and Price-Range . . . The size of your home and the frequency of cleanings can help you determine the price-range you should stay within. Are you living in a small apartment, town-house or large many-roomed mansion? You probably don't need to invest several hundred dollars in a machine for a small living space and sporadic use whereas a huge house with lots of carpet, rugs, upholstery, bathrooms that are throuroghly cleaned by staff quite regularly would require a more substantial machine costing a couple thousand dollars. On the other hand you may have a small home but you also have little ones that you want o protect from harmful bacteria.

Mobility and Weight of the Steam Cleaner . . . Obvioulsy you want a machine that is easy to use and move around your home. Does it have wheels? Does it have a long power cord? Can you carry it if need be? Checking the weight of the steam cleaner will enable you to determine if you will be able to carry it easily to the upper floors if you have a two or three story home. And bear in mind that it will be filled with water at some point.

Appropriate Cleaning Attachments For Your Use . . . Check on the cleaning accessories that come with the steam cleaner. Does it come with the brushes, wands, adjustable nozzles and other accessories you'll need for the type of cleaning you'll be doing? For instance, if you plan to keep your bathroom and kitchen tiles steam cleaned as well as your BBQ grill or car rims, you'll need the appropriate attachments.

Required Steam Temperatures and Pressure . . . Not all floor surfaces will require the same amount of heat and pressure to clean. Being able to regulate the steam (with an adjustable nozzle, for example) is a plus. Be reminded that the temperature of the steam for home use should be at least 240 to 280 degrees Fahrenheit. You want to avoid cleaners where the steam temperatures are "not hot enough" . . . which causes an excessive amount of moisture to remain in fibers (carpets and upholstery) and require lengthy drying times.

Warranty and Service . . . Always make sure to get informatin on the seller's or manufacucturer's stance on repairing and servicing your steam cleaner in the event it proves defective or is need of repair. Do you need to take it to a certified service center to get it repaired? Or do you return it to the seller? Just be clear on what to expect.