Just add water and feel the clean
Nothing feels better than a day at the spa with a nice steam to clear your pores and help you relax. The same could be said about your home—a good steam cleaning can make it feel fresh and rejuvenated. Steam cleaning your home is an amazing way to use fewer chemicals and tackle tough stains using only heat and water. If you just got a steam cleaner and are stuck on where to use it, we’ll break down the areas in your home you can clean with a steam cleaner.
There are a host of benefits to steam cleaning your home, chief among them being you only need water to get a deep clean. Not only does that make steam cleaners easy to use, but it also reduces the amount of chemicals used in your home—making it safer for you and the environment. Because of the high heat and pressure a steam cleaner creates, steam cleaning can be more effective in certain situations than traditional cleaning methods. Ultimately, a steam cleaner is a great tool to have in your back pocket when you need to get tough on dirt.
The most popular use for a steam cleaner is your floors. It’s way more efficient than a mop or broom, and steam can remove the residue left by old cleaning products, leaving your floors feeling cleaner. It’s especially good at getting into the grout—no need to get on your hands and knees with a toothbrush.
However, not all floors can handle the heat. Unsealed floors trap moisture, causing them to plump, warp, twist, and mold. Furthermore, vinyl floors and some hardwood will also bend and warp from the high heat and pressure created by the steam cleaner—causing permanent, hard-to-fix damage and may even void your warranty.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can tackle grout lines with ease | Can damage some floor materials |
| Easier to get a deeper clean than a mop and broom | Can warp unsealed floors |
Best for: Sealed floors and tile with dirty grout.
Couches are some of the most important and high-traffic furniture in your home. A few times a year, your old couch needs TLC beyond your weekly vacuuming. Steam cleaning can penetrate deep into upholstered furniture like couches and armchairs, giving them new life and helping them feel as good as new.
However, some upholstery, like velvet, velour, or anything containing plastic, can get damaged when exposed to high heat and excess water. Thankfully, your couch should have a fabric care label with a code based on government regulations; double-check before you steam your couch. Steaming your furniture also leaves behind a lot of moisture, so thoroughly dry each piece before putting it back together to eliminate the risk of mildew or mold building up.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can eliminate unwanted odors | Not recommended for certain fabrics |
| Penetrates deep into the fibers past what a vacuum can do | Long drying time |
Best for: Fabrics that can handle the heat.
After years of crafting culinary delights for you and your loved ones, your kitchen appliances might seem a little worse for wear. Your steam cleaner can loosen and break apart that caked-on grime built up from years of use and can tackle those hard-to-reach spots on your oven or BBQ racks. Your stovetop is also a prime spot for a steam cleaner, getting into the crevices you cannot otherwise reach. If you’re burnt out on deep cleaning your kitchen and want to cook in a cleaner space, a steam cleaner is the perfect sous-chef.
You only need to worry about the electronics in your appliances. If not managed correctly, the steam can find itself in the electrical components of your appliances and cause damage. It’s best to work in short, concentrated bursts to avoid letting the steam work up to where any circuit boards are.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Loosens caked-on grime | Can cause damage to electrical components |
| Versatile clean | Requires some effort to get all crevices |
Best for: BBQs, ovens, and stove tops.
Mirrors and windows are notoriously difficult to keep clean, and the wrong products could result in streaks and lines. A steam cleaner can help you tackle a dirty mirror or window so you can start seeing yourself and the world anew.
For windows, you want to be particularly careful, as the tempered glass can crack due to the drastic temperature change created by your steam cleaner. To avoid this, gradually introduce the steam onto the window before cranking it up to where you need it, and only use it sparingly.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Doesn’t leave streak marks | Can damage glass on windows if not done properly |
| No need for toxic chemicals | Slower approach required |
Best for: All mirrors and gradual introduction on windows.
You don’t want to step on dirty carpets all day, and steam cleaning them can help you feel better about putting your best foot forward. The steam will get into the fibers to remove built-up dirt and bacteria and eliminate any old odors. Before steam cleaning, vacuum and spot-treat any particularly stained areas to maximize your carpet cleaning. Ensure your carpet is thoroughly dry to prevent mold or mildew from forming.
Pro tip: Use a folded microfiber cloth around the areas you’re steaming to help catch any dirt splatter that may pop up as you go, leaving less work to get your carpets spotless.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Penetrates carpet fibers more effectively than a vacuum | Long drying time |
| Easier to maneuver than a mop | Can set stains if not careful |
Best for: Sporadic cleaning in conjunction with regular vacuuming and spot cleaning.
You can now sleep better at night knowing you’ve found a better way to keep your bedding clean and dirt-free. Whether you need a mattress refresh or your pillows are looking a little worse for wear, a steam cleaner can help make for a cleaner sleep. Steaming can also be very effective at keeping out bed bugs, getting rid of bacteria, and preventing infestations.
However, your bedding is very absorbent, and the excess water, if not applied properly, could leave damage or cause mold and mildew to appear. Make sure that you thoroughly dry items before remaking your bed.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Can deter and treat bed bugs | Long drying times |
| Eliminates bacteria | Excess water can damage absorbent items |
Best for: Heavily soiled or infested bedding.
Looking at all the ways a steam cleaner can benefit your life, it’s easy to believe that these machines can solve all your cleaning problems. But due to their high pressure and temperatures, a steam cleaner can potentially cause damage to certain areas of your home, including:
Unsealed floors or flooring with cracks
Cheap laminate flooring or countertops
Certain fabric couches like velvet, velour, or anything containing plastic
Walls with wallpaper or water-based paint
Silks
Anything porous
Untempered glass
Before going wild with your steam cleaner, check the laundry or care instructions on any furniture or items you’re looking to steam clean before you start to save yourself the trouble.
