Handheld and Floor Home Steam Cleaners
How to Choose the Best from Bissel, Hoover, Shark, Monster and Other Cleaners
Jun 13, 2009
High temperature steam sanitizes surfaces and loosens dirt. Steam cleaners offer a chemical-free solution to many household cleaning chores. They are suitable for households with small children and people with allergies. Popular brands include Bissel, Hoover, Shark, Monster and Euro Pro.
Steam cleaners are used on floors and in the bathroom and kitchen, effective in removing:
- Grease
- Odors
- Stains
- Mold
- Soap scum (still takes some work)
- Wallpaper
However they are not effective against some stains such as hard water scale. Tile grout grime can resist steaming, depending on the type and extent of the staining.
Steam cleaners can also fluff up:
- Clothes.
- Wrinkled curtains and upholstery.
- Compressed carpet (indentations caused by furniture legs).
Steam Pressure and Watts
High steam pressure is needed to create a powerful jet to blast dirt away. Steam pressure in home steam cleaners ranges from 35 to 65 psi (pounds per square inch), with 50 psi being average. Steam pressure is also measured in bar units, where 1 bar equals to 15.5 psi.
Wattage is important but not as important as steam pressure. Some 1500 watt models generate only 35 psi. Smaller models average 900 watts, with larger models going up to 1800 watts.
Temperatures can range from 250 to 320 degrees Fahrenheit but temperature is less important than steam pressure.
Types of Steam Cleaners
Jug steam cleaners are popular because of their small size and low cost. The entire unit is held in the hand, just like a jug of water. They cost between 30 and 100 dollars. An extension hose increases its versatility.
Advantages
- Cheap.
- Small and easy to store.
Disadvantages
- Low steam pressure.
- Small boiler capacity (1 to 2 cups), typically 5 to 10 minutes of steaming time.
Larger steam cleaners look like a canister vacuum cleaner. Unlike a jug steamer, a flexible hose is always required.
Advantages
- Typically higher steam pressure and wattage.
- Larger boiler capacity (1 to 2 quarts), enough water for 30 to 60 minutes is common.
- Versatile. Normally includes attachments for cleaning barbecue grills, floors, corners.
Disadvantages
- Higher cost, a hundred to a few hundred dollars.
- Clumsy and heavy, needs to be pulled around like a canister vacuum cleaner.
Steam mops (floor steamers) are special-purpose steam cleaners.
Advantage
- Convenient single-piece equipment. No hoses or nozzles or other attachments.
Disadvantage
- Can't be used to clean other items.
Steam Cleaner Features
- An "on demand" trigger allows the steam to be turned on and off as needed. Cheaper steam cleaners are "always on" and have no trigger. This wastes water and steam pressure.
- Steam cleaners can't be used immediately after the power is switched on. It can take 5 to 15 minutes to bring the water to a boil. A shorter time isn't always better as this can mean a smaller water capacity.
- Most steam cleaners need to cool down before the boiler tank can be safely opened for refilling. Premium models have 2 water tanks, allowing water to be refilled at any time.
- A water level gauge is useful but not strictly necessary.
Steam Cleaner Safety and Tips
- Because of the high temperature steam and internal tank of boiling water, care should be taken when using a steam cleaner near children and pets.
- Rubber gloves should be worn to protect against accidental blasts of steam. The steam jet can bounce off surfaces and blow back so it is best to use the nozzle at arm's length, far away from the body (especially the face).
- Hot water, not just steam, can be shot out after the nozzle is closed for a few minutes and then reopened. The nozzle should therefore be pointed at a safe location before being opened.
- The steam cleaner should be allowed to cool down (about 15 minutes) before the boiler tank is opened.
- Common sense should be used when cleaning as the heat from the steam can damage some materials such as paint, plastic and glued-on items (wallpaper, vinyl and linoleum tiles).
- Distilled water can be used to reduce scale build-up in the boiler.
The Best Steam Cleaner
Homeowners need to be realistic with their expectations. Steam cleaners are powerful cleaners but, depending on the type of stain, some scrubbing may still be required. The first cleaning, to clean off years of accumulated grime, will be the hardest. Subsequent cleanings should need less scrubbing.
Choosing a model with high steam pressure is the best way to ensure easy cleaning.
Homeowners should consider other cleaning tools. A pressure washer can be better for some jobs.
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