5 Best Steam Cleaners To Kill Bacteria and Sanitize The Surfaces In Your Home
If you’ve ever had to do some heavy-duty cleaning, you know how frustrating it can be when you don’t have the appropriate tools. Instead of having to rent a power cleaner or a steam cleaner, why not just own one?
A steam cleaner may be a bit of an investment at first, but over time, the machine will surely pay for itself in usefulness. It’s definitely not uncommon anymore to find more homes with steam cleaners in them because of how handy they are.
The McCulloch has a large 48-ounce capacity tank that heats up quickly and easily so it will be sure to last for all your cleaning needs.
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This chemical free cleaner sanitizes and disinfects as it cleans, providing an extra clean surface wherever it goes over.
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Hot pressurized steam eliminates grease, grime, mold, stains, and bed bugs without harsh chemicals.
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This is a great device to have in the home for deep cleaning and it can clean multiple surfaces within the home.
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Clean a lot more than floors with the built-in handheld steam cleaner, or use the flexible hose to put the cleaning power of steam in the palm of your hand.
View DealWhy a Steam Cleaner?
Steam cleaners are great because they can cut through all kinds of deeply set dirt and grime. If you have a household with pets or kids, you are definitely familiar with stains and spills and over time, these stains and spills can wreak havoc on your floors and textiles. With a steam cleaner, the power of water and steam easily and effectively cleans out the grime leaving you with surfaces that look like new. It’s a safe, environmentally friendly way to get your house the cleanest it could possibly be.
How to Choose a Steam Cleaner
Choosing a steam cleaner is only difficult the first time you have to do it. This is more than just your average mop and vacuum cleaner, so here are the features to look out for to make sure you’re spending your money wisely.
Size
Size and weight are always important considerations when you’re choosing a product that you have to drag around with you (it’s also important for storage purposes, especially if you have a small home and can’t afford the clutter or bulky items that occupy a lot of storage space). Every product page should specify the dimension and weight of the steam cleaners, so take a look at those. The weight will help you determine whether or not you’re comfortable with pushing/pulling the cleaner around the house, while the size will let you know how much storage space it will occupy.
Tank size
The second important consideration is the tank size. Steam cleaners have a reservoir that needs to be filled with water in order to produce steam. If you opt for a small steam cleaner, the tank will also have a lower capacity and might require refilling more often. Larger units have bigger tanks with higher water capacity, but they also take longer to heat up. It’s really up to you to determine what you’re willing to sacrifice when opting for a steam cleaner.
Pressure and temperature
Pressure and temperature are two features that will somewhat determine the performance of a steam cleaner. In other words, you want to know the amount of steam pressure generated by the unit and how hot the steam can get. When a steam cleaner operates at a higher temperature, it also means that it can produce dryer steam and high pressure, offering better sanitization of the surface. The efficiency of a steam cleaner is more than just how hot it can get or what pressure levels it can reach. These are both futile features if the unit can’t maintain them at a consistent level.
Types of Steam Cleaners
Steam cleaners that are currently available on the market will fall under one of the following four categories:
- Handheld steam cleaners are portable units that are less expensive and easier to manipulate compared to products from the other categories that we’ll get to in a minute. Because of their compact size, they are really easy to work with, and the ease of maneuverability helps you reach tougher spots (such as underneath the furniture). They are also pretty easy to store, so they’re definitely the right purchase if you have a small house/apartment. They won’t handle large areas very well, so one of the following models might be more suitable if you have a large home/commercial space that needs cleaning.
- Cylinder steam cleaners are bulkier and have a different shape compared to a handheld steam cleaner, which makes them a little more difficult to manipulate and store. Even so, their power can’t be neglected, making them really efficient when it comes to sanitizing your home. They work on various surfaces and are very versatile, so they could clean everything from hardwood floors to curtains. They come with large water tanks, so you don’t have to fill them that often, and they don’t usually require the use of any cleaners/detergent (you can still use those if you want to).
- Steam mops are basically smaller versions of cylinder steam cleaners. Their main role is to clean floors, so they’re not as versatile as the previous category. The features and accessories you get with your steam mop will vary from one model to another. They are great for the average home-owner, and a really convenient purchase if you don’t have a large household. They are more affordable than other options, they’re pretty lightweight and easy to maneuver, and can efficiently get rid of germs and bacteria. However, their design doesn’t really allow them to reach tougher spots.
- Vapor steam cleaners are the final category we wanted to touch upon. Even if they differ in design (they pretty much look like your average vacuum cleaner), vapor steam cleaners have similar functions to those of the cylinder steam models. What’s interesting about these models is that they provide a sort of a dry cleaning. Using high heat levels, these units will use steam to clean surfaces but without leaving any water behind. They are a great option if you have a large household where there’s loads of traffic and you can’t make everyone wait for the floors to dry. They are also great for commercial cleaning for the exact same reason. They are bulkier and occupy a lot of storage space, and they’re also more expensive compared to other types of cleaners.
The Top 5 Best Steam Cleaners
In order to help you find the steam cleaner that is best for you, we found some of the best steam cleaners you can buy in today’s market. From heavy-duty to perfect for novices, these steam cleaners will definitely help you get your home as clean as possible.
1. McCulloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty Cleaner with 18 Accessories
The McCulloch steam cleaner is one of the best products you can buy, and the features that we’re on the verge of discussing are going to prove our point. This is a very versatile tool that doesn’t just allow you to clean floors, but it removes grease from your oven, scrubs your driveway tiles, and releases stubborn stains from your couch’s upholstery. It comes with a mop attachment that is perfect for cleaning floors, scrub pads that will help you get rid of stubborn dirt stains, and another attachment that’s suitable for grime and grease.
The steam lock switch comes in handy in situations where you need a steady steam without continuously having to push the button. The powerful jet nozzle will be useful for focusing the steam in a smaller patch, performing deep cleaning on surfaces that require so. The water tank can hold up to 48 ounces of water which can provide you with up to 45 minutes of continuous steam. When making this purchase, you are going to receive two 19-inch extension wands, a mor head, triangle brush, five nylon brushes, a brass utility brush, a squeegee, a water funnel, a measuring cap, two microfiber pads, a scrub pad, and a steam jet nozzle.
The McCulloch steam cleaner is designed to be a really versatile tool, so it pretty much caters to the needs of those who want to be able to clean multiple surfaces using a single device instead of investing in multiple products to clean the various surfaces in and around the house. It’s an excellent product to own even if you have children or pets, since it doesn’t really require using any chemical-based cleaners in order to function.
The McCulloch has a large 48-ounce capacity tank that heats up quickly and easily so it will be sure to last for all your cleaning needs.
View DealPros:
- Heavy-duty chemical-free cleaning
- Large capacity tank
- Ideal for entire house cleaning
- Versatile cleaning power
Cons:
- May be too expensive for some
- May be too powerful for everyday use
2. Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner Multipurpose Heavy-Duty Steamer
The Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner is the best multipurpose heavy-duty steamer that can easily clean all the surfaces of your home. From the kitchen floor to the upholstery in your automobile, the Dupray can handle any mess that’s thrown at it.
The Dupray runs on fifty full minutes of cleaning time with each fill up. The Dupray also has a two-year warranty with a lifetime warranty on the steam cleaner boiler. As the best multipurpose steam cleaner on this list, the Dupray cleans 99.99 percent of bacteria and viruses.
This chemical free cleaner sanitizes and disinfects as it cleans, providing an extra clean surface wherever it goes over.
View DealPros:
- Extremely powerful cleaning capability
- Chemical free cleaning
- Ideal for larger spaces
- Kills bacteria and viruses for a cleaner home
Cons:
- May be too powerful for day to day use
- May be a bit too pricey for some
3. PurSteam Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner
The PurSteam Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner comes with a nine-piece accessory set that offers chemical free cleaning in a convenient handheld device. This is the best steam cleaner for anyone who needs the power of steam cleaning without the industrial hardware to do so. It’s a fast and effective way to get rid of dirt, grime, and even bedbugs or animal mess.
The PurSteam steam cleaner heats up quickly, in three to four minutes, and offers plenty of cleaning power to clean the bathrooms, living areas, garage, play room and even kitchen. It’s a great addition into the home that doesn’t have the space or need for a huge steam cleaning machine.
Hot pressurized steam eliminates grease, grime, mold, stains, and bed bugs without harsh chemicals.
View DealPros:
- Easy to use handheld device
- Chemical free cleaning
- Perfect for small and large spaces
- Heats up quickly
Cons:
- May be too small for some clean up jobs
- May have too many confusing accessories
4. Bissell Steam Mop Sapphire Powerfresh Deluxe
The Bissel Steam Mop model Sapphire Powerfresh Deluxe, is a nifty design that incorporates steam cleaning into a mop like device that can easily glide across the floor and other surfaces. This steam mop conveniently disinfects 99 percent of germs and bacteria without any harmful chemicals.
The Sapphire Powerfresh Deluxe can easily move from spot cleaning to cleaning up entire surfaces. This is great especially for homes that have small children that happen to make some pretty sticky messes sometimes. The Powerfresh also easily moves temperatures from warm to hot depending on the surface and the gravity of the mess.
This is a great device to have in the home for deep cleaning and it can clean multiple surfaces within the home.
View DealPros:
- Easy to use mop-like device
- Chemical free cleaning
- Ideal for cleaning entire house
- Easy cleanup and maintenance
Cons:
- May be a bit cumbersome to use
- May be a bit too tall for easy storage
5. Steam Mop Cleaner ThermaPro 10-in-1
The PurSteam Steam Mop Cleaner ThermaPro 10-in-1 offers nifty cleaning, as it is a device that comes with a handheld device. This means you can easily use the machine like a mop, but it comes complete with the powerful cleaning capability of a steam cleaner. The handheld device easily detaches in order to clean harder to reach surfaces or smaller, more cramped spaces.
This is a nifty little cleaner to keep in the kitchen and use as needed. It offers plenty of sanitation without any chemicals to clean with. The detachable unit is light and maneuverable with cleaning capabilities that match the original mop like unit. It’s a powerful tool packed in a tiny handheld, which is super convenient, especially if you have multiple spaces to clean.
Clean a lot more than floors with the built-in handheld steam cleaner, or use the flexible hose to put the cleaning power of steam in the palm of your hand.
View DealPros:
- Comes with a handheld device that detaches
- Chemical free cleaning
- Perfect for small and large spaces
- Comes with mop-like base machine for powerful cleaning
Cons:
- May not be as powerful as someone may need
- May not clean textiles as effectively as surfaces
FAQ
What is the best steam cleaner?
When you’re on the market for a quality steam cleaner that doesn’t cost a fortune, we totally recommend checking out the McCulloch. Check out the “McCulloch Steam Cleaner” section for a breakdown of the features of this product.
Are steam cleaners worth it?
Steam cleaners can be really efficient at sanitizing all kinds of surfaces (although their primary role is to clean floors) so they are definitely worth the money unless you like spending time scrubbing floors to get rid of stubborn dirt and stains.
Do handheld steam cleaners really work?
Yes, as long as you are very aware of their limitations and know exactly what to expect. They are pretty much suitable for cleaning small spaces and are efficient when you’re dealing with spots that are tougher to reach. Plus, they are easy to drag around the house.
What can you clean with a steam cleaner?
That really depends on the steam cleaner in question. Some units are only suitable for cleaning floors, while others can be efficient at cleaning even furniture upholstery, carpets, or curtains.
The Wrap Up
As you can see, there are plenty of really great steam cleaners that can get the job done within your home, no matter how big or small that may be. While each of these machines could easily clean multiple surfaces of your home, each one is very different from the last. Some of these are much higher-powered than others, so you just need to decide what exactly you need beforehand.
If you still aren’t sure, go through and read some of the customer reviews. There is lots of information out there that could easily help sway you into the right direction depending on your needs. While the more expensive machines may be a bit more powerful, the smaller handheld devices also pack a punch due to the steam cleaning power. You can’t lose with steam cleaning and all the distinctive benefits you’ll get from them.