This guide contains:

Background on steam cleaners
Features to look for in steam cleaners
How to find the best steam cleaner for you

This independent guide was written to help you understand the basics of steam cleaners, and to help you find the best steam cleaner for you. We do not sell any steam cleaner ourselves, so you can be confident that all of the information in this guide is independent and unbiased.

Background on steam cleaners
There are numerous benefits to steam cleaners: they can be used to eliminate chemicals, toxins and residue such as tar and nicotine off windows and walls; restore dirty tile and grout; degrease surfaces, appliances and floors; and make windows and glass sparkle. Steam cleaners can also be used to clean and freshen carpets, upholstery, drapes, and blinds, thereby helping to destroy germs, viruses, molds, bacteria and dust mites, which is helpful to those who suffer from allergies.

Features and functions to look for in steam cleaners
There are some differences among online steam cleaner stores and some features to consider when comparing steam cleaners:

Temperature- The effectiveness of any steam cleaner is a function of the combination of its temperature and pressure. Most steam cleaners produce steam at a temperature of between 240 and 300 degrees, and the higher the temperature range, the more costly the steam cleaner will usually be.

Pressure- The steam in any steam cleaner is under pressure, and this pressure is measured by PSI (pounds per square inch). Typically, homeowners and light commercial users should look for steam cleaners with pressure around 58 psi (4 bar). Most steam vapor cleaners you will see on the market are designed by the manufacturer for 65 psi or less unless specifically designed for commercial use with a heavier gauge boiler. If you are using your steam cleaner for commercial cleaning, you will probably need a steam cleaner with a higher pressure capacity.

Capacity- With steam cleaners, bigger is not necessarily better. Smaller steam cleaners are more portable, and steam cleaners with smaller boilers (2 qt.) or continuous fill boilers heat up far quicker (5-9 min) than larger steam cleaners. Larger capacity steam cleaners take longer (Average 20+ min.) to heat for use, and are heavier to move around, although they do last longer.

There is a special type of steam cleaner known as a 'continuous fill' steam cleaner. With this type of steam cleaner, water is added to a non-heated reservoir instead of the boiler. This means that you can add water at any time, and don't need to wait until the steam cleaner cools off before you remove the safety cap, add more water, and reheat the boiler. For larger jobs, this can greatly reduce your 'down time'.