Household Steam Cleaners

What to Consider When Shopping for a Steam Cleaner

Shopping for a steam cleaner? Steam cleaners are some of the best cleaning equipment you can buy for your home. They offer thorough, deep cleaning and sanitizing at a level similar to what industrial cleaners can achieve, but they are widely available in compact and affordable consumer packages. And if you are particularly keen on cleanliness and hygiene, and would like your home to not just be clean but also be safe and healthy, then a steam cleaner is the best investment you can make. Unlike vacuum cleaners that simply suck in dirt and dust, steam cleaners use the combination of heat and water to create germ-killing steam. The deep cleaning ability of steam helps reduce the effort and scrubbing power that cleaning floors usually require.

Unfortunately, many homeowners fail to take advantage of this benefit based on the belief that such cleaning contraptions are only suitable for commercial use. Well, you’ll be surprised to know that there is a huge market of household steam cleaners out there. You simply have to choose the model that matches your needs to make sure you get the best out of your investment.

Different Types of Steam Cleaners

First, you have to choose among the different types of steam cleaners, which are:

• Canister type steam cleaners – These are highly versatile machines that can be used to clean any surface and any item, including furniture, curtains, table tops, and so on, just by using different attachments; the steam hose enables you to reach even high areas while cleaning.
• Upright steam mops – These are quick and convenient floor cleaners that simply have to be pushed around the house; they are specifically designed for cleaning different types of flooring but cannot be used for other purposes.
• Handheld steam cleaners – Handheld models are used to clean and sanitize countertops, table tops, tile and grout, upholstery, curtains, furniture, and garments, but they are not designed for cleaning large areas of flooring. As the term implies, these have to be operated by the hand and are usually small in size. They are best used for cleaning small, concentrated areas.

Price, Power, and Performance

The prices of steam cleaners vary greatly. There are models that are designed with affordability in mind, while some cost more. Expensive models are not necessarily better, unless you are buying from trusted brands like Reliable and Euroflex. These brands do make the extra expense worth your while by offering longer lasting products and more effective cleaning mechanisms.

Usually, more expensive products offer greater power (higher steam temperature capacity), greater versatility (more surfaces cleaned), and more accessories. This means that when choosing a household steam cleaner, you should look at more than just the price. You should determine what your needs are, depending on the size of your home, the types of surfaces you would like to use your steam cleaner on, and the kinds of accessories you will need. If you have a large home, you have thick and heavy carpets, and you get a lot of traffic from the outside, chances are that an affordable, entry-level model will not do the trick. In such situations, a more powerful model may be more suitable.

Whatever you choose, rest assured that your steam cleaner will not be a wasted investment. Steam cleaners clean safely and healthily as they are able to achieve a deeper clean without the use of chemicals. They are highly effective in cleaning all types of pathogens and allergens, thus making your home a safer, cleaner, and healthier place.