What are the benefits of steam cleaning?

Steam cleaning is a non-harmful cleaning technique that uses steam to sanitize and clean your home. The following are some advantages of steam cleaning over regular cleaning:

• Simple and Convenient: A regular cleaning method usually involves a lot of time and energy, which may result in body pain or allergies. Whereas steam cleaning provides a convenient and hassle-free way of efficiently cleaning your home. There is no need to get up close when cleaning dirty surfaces nor to bend over when cleaning floors and other hard to reach areas.
• Environmental-friendly: In order to sanitize your house, all that is required is water and heat, there is no need to use any chemicals that could harm your health or the environment.
• Intensive Cleaning: Steam cleaners use high-temperature steam in order to kill dust mites that usually cause allergic reactions. When steam is applied at the correct temperature and pressure, it can also prevent and kill pathogens, including bacteria, fungi, and viruses that are harmful to your health.
• Money Saver: Steam cleaning uses a flexible andeco-friendly machine to clean practically anything, from floors, furniture to car interior. There is no need to buy different cleaning tools and solutions when you clean different types of floors and household items.

How should you choose a steam cleaner?

Below are the common factors you should take into account when choosing a steam cleaner:

• Size and Weight: It is important to check the weight and dimensions of the unit. Decide whether you prefer a lightweight, portable item like the handheld model or a large, heavy one such as the cylinder steam cleaner. It is better to choose a smaller, easier to use steam cleaner if you do not like the inconvenience of handling heavier or larger machines. However, if you would like to get a deeper clean, you may have to go for the larger model.
• Attachments: The majority of steam cleaners come with basic attachments that can be used on different types of surfaces. When choosing a steam cleaner, consider what attachments come with it so that you can use it for a variety of items, surfaces, and spaces. The more attachment it has, the better. 
• Water Tank Size: Small steam cleaners require more frequent refilling of their water tanks. On the other hand, larger tanks will last longer, but they may take a while to heat up. For example, handheld steam cleaners have smaller tanks and go through their heat-up process faster; whereas cylinder steam cleaners have larger tanks and require refilling less frequently. 
• Pressure & Temperature: An important factor to consider is the device's pressure and temperature range. Higher pressure and temperature produce drier steam, which allows deeper clean and sanitation. If your unit is unable to maintain its temperature and pressure level, it will not be able to clean your home effectively. 
• Noise: You might want to look for models that advertise being quieter than usual if you're worried about how loud your steam cleaner will be. Decibel levels are sometimes listed in the specifications of products so that users know how loud they can be.
• Features: Steam cleaning can be made even easier with features like fingertip controls that let you adjust the amount of steam delivered. Other features like indicator lights let you know when the steam cleaner is ready to use or whether you need more water. Consider models that have features that will make your cleaning more efficient.

What are some pointers on maintaining a steam cleaner?

Here are some tips to help you maintain your steam cleaner and keep it running smoothly: 

• Clean your steam cleaner before and after each use with a damp cloth to prevent dust and debris from clogging it.
• Wash any cloths or towels used by the steam cleaner using hot water only and allow them to air dry. Also avoid using fabric softener when washing cloths/towels.
• The steam mop's tank should be drained after each use and allowed to air dry before being resealed and stored again
• Do not add chemicals or soap to your steam cleaner. Only when descaling (removing traces of limescale/minerals) can you add anything other than water to your machine.
• Do not use water or fabric softeners. Calcium and magnesium are removed from the water by softeners and replaced with sodium. Sodium levels in softened water can damage and shorten the life of steam cleaners.

Top 5 Steam Cleaners

If you're confounded as to which steam cleaner to buy, here are five products that are worth considering:

PurSteam Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner with 9-Piece Accessory Set:

This is proof that the best steam cleaners for your furniture and other surfaces don’t have to be expensive. Despite being affordable, it is packed with exceptional features. You will love the nine accessories that come with this unit, which will be useful for various cleaning applications. It is also good in terms of ease of use, especially because it heats up quickly. It can heat water in approximately three to four minutes.

PurSteam ThermaPro 10-in-1 Steam Mop Cleaner:

This features a convenient detachable handheld unit. It's suitable for all types of surfaces: laminate, hardwood, tile, or carpeting. Do not be discouraged by the high price of this product. The extra money will be worth it, especially because it delivers ten functions in one product. There are also three adjustable modes, so you can choose the steam level that is suited for a specific cleaning application. The water reservoir has a maximum capacity of 340 ml, which can be good for up to 25 minutes of cleaning. It comes with a two-year warranty from the manufacturer.

Bissell Steam Shot Deluxe Hard-Surface Cleaner in Light Green (Models 39N7A/39N71):

With 1,000 Watts of power, this is great if you are looking for a powerful steam cleaner for tile floors and other surfaces. The length of the cord is 20 feet, which will give you the ability to move far away from the electrical outlet. It heats up within 30 seconds, which means that it is ready in an instant! Multiple accessories are included in your purchase, including an extension hose, a window squeegee, a fabric steamer, a detail brush, and a grout brush, among others.

Bissell Shot Hard Surface Steam Cleaner (Model 39N7V)

This high-pressure steam cleaner is designed to handle even the toughest cleaning jobs. It heats water in 30 seconds, which means that you don’t need to wait a long time before it is ready to be used. The tank capacity is 6.6 ounces, which isn’t large, but the good thing is that it makes the steam cleaner portable. There are also multiple accessories, including color-coded brushes, which are perfect for various cleaning applications. The kit also includes a grout brush, a flat scraping tool, a nozzle accessory, an angle concentrator, and a measuring cup.

Shark Steam Pocket Mop Hard Floor Cleaner with Swivel Steering (Model S3501) 

This steam mop has an extra-large 220 ml water tank and an 18-foot cord. It has a swivel feature, which will make it easy to maneuver. There is a manual steam control, which you can easily customize depending on the pressure that you exert. There is also a soft-grip handle, which will be easy and comfortable to use. It uses microfiber cleaning pads, which can easily tackle practically any dirt. The cloth is soft, so it will be gentle even on delicate surfaces, without leaving unsightly streaks on the floor.

Final Verdict

Change the way you clean your home! Invest in a high-quality steam cleaner, including those mentioned above. They are powerful! Using these cleaners will not only get rid of visible dirt, but will also be an effective way of sanitizing your home!