Steam Cleaner Buying Guide

While keeping your home fresh and sparkling clean has never been a particularly enjoyable task, the right steam cleaner can make achieving a clean and germ-free space easier than ever. Whether you’re dealing with tough grime, pet messes, or just want to refresh your floors, there are plenty of specialist and all-round options with lots of different powers and features to choose from. But with so many steam cleaners available, how do you know which one to choose? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to find the perfect one for your home. So, sit down with a ‘steaming’ hot cuppa and take a few minutes to read through.

Last updated 30.01.25

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Why Buy a Steam Cleaner?

Steam cleaners are more than just a tool for scrubbing floors. Using only water, they eliminate 99.9% of germs and bacteria without harsh chemicals. Families and pet owners will love the ability to tackle grime and mess without working up a sweat, while smaller households can take advantage of how quickly they do the job. Plus, they’re incredibly versatile. The main use for steam cleaners is for floors but certain models also allow you to clean tiles, windows, upholstery, and even kitchen appliances!

If you’re tired of scrubbing by hand or dealing with abrasive, irritating or strange-smelling chemical cleaners, a steam cleaner is an investment in both time and hygiene.

What to Consider When Buying a Steam Cleaner

Before you dive into buying, it’s worth thinking about how you plan to use your steam cleaner. Are you focusing on cleaning floors or will you need it for upholstery, grout, or windows too? Here's a breakdown of some of the factors you’ll need to consider:

Types of Steam Cleaner

There are several types to choose from, each suited for different tasks:

Handheld steam cleaners

Compact and great for smaller jobs like cleaning grout, sinks, and stovetops.

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Steam mops

Perfect for hard floors, delivering a streak-free shine.

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Cylinder steam cleaners

Versatile and powerful, these work well for larger spaces and come with various attachments for tackling floors, upholstery, and more.

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Power and Wattage

Higher wattage usually means more power. For standard household use, steam cleaners with 1500 to 2000 watts should be enough to get the job done. As a general rule, a higher wattage will allow for quicker heat-up times and more effective cleaning on tougher jobs.

Pressure

Pressure is key when it comes to breaking down dirt. A steam cleaner with a higher-pressure level (measured in bars, a little bit like a coffee machine) will be more effective. Look for models with at least 3.5 to 4 bars of pressure.

Flow Rate

The flow rate refers to how much steam is emitted, with a higher flow rate delivering faster, more effective cleaning. This could mean a heavier model, or that you need to top up the water more often, though.

Water Tank Size

Speaking of topping up the water, a larger water tank will normally allow for longer cleaning sessions without refilling. If you have a smaller space to clean, this might not be a big worry, but for extended cleaning you should probably aim for a capacity of 1 litre or more. Some models also offer continuous refill systems, so you don’t have to wait for the unit to cool before adding more water.

Accessories

With any good gadget comes a raft of accessories to make light work of lots of different tasks. The best steam cleaners come with a range of attachments, including:

Floor nozzles

Choose nozzles designed for safe use on various floor types.

Scrub brushes

Scrub brushes tackle grout and tiles for deep, effective cleaning.

Window squeegees

Window squeegees ensure streak-free, sparkling clean glass surfaces.

Upholstery tools

Upholstery tools gently clean sofas, car seats, and curtains effectively.

Weight and Manoeuvrability

Consider how easy the cleaner is to move around your home. Handheld models are lighter, more portable and well-suited to apartments, flats and smaller spaces. A cylinder model, while heavier, might come with wheels for easy movement across rooms. Just like in life, it’s all about finding a perfect balance that works for you!

Price Range

Steam cleaners can range in price from around £30 to £300 or more. Budget-friendly models are perfect for light jobs, but if you need a heavy-duty cleaner for larger tasks, it’s worth investing in a higher-end model.

Best Steam Cleaners for Different Needs

Choosing the best steam cleaner can feel like a shot in the dark at times, but it really comes down to your personal needs. You need to weigh the weight, capacity, power, bars and functionality against the spaces and surfaces you’ll be using it on. A small studio apartment will never get the most out of an all-singing, all-dancing cylinder model with lots of different attachments and accessories. On the other hand, anyone living in a family home with kids, pets and lots of hard floors will find themselves struggling when trying to cover their entire house with a compact, low-capacity model.

That being said though, here’s a few suggestions we really love:

Best Handheld Steam Cleaner

Swan’s Lynsey Queen of Clean Handheld Steam Cleaner is a perfect example of packing plenty of performance into a compact form. It’s one of the best steam cleaners for bathroom tiles and grout, it can give soft furnishings a freshen up and you can even use it to finally fight with the inside of the oven. It uses 3 bars of pressure to blast through grime and dirt, and this steam cleaner even comes with 9 accessories for each of the tasks you can put it up against!

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Best Steam Mop

For households with primarily hard floors, a steam mop offers quick, effective cleaning. Russell Hobbs’ RHSM1001-G Steam & Clean 600W Steam Mop is a reliable classic that offers high-performance in its no-nonsense design. Lightweight at just 2.3 kg, it can run for up to 15 minutes at a time without refilling and has a 5m cable to make those cleaning frenzies just a little more bearable. The low-profile mop head means it’s also incredibly manoeuvrable, reaching under and around furniture easier than some other models. Our favourite part, though? It comes with 2

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Best 2-in-1 Steam Cleaner

If you live in a home that needs a cleaner that can do it all, a 2-in-1 steam mop and handheld cleaner offers the perfect solution. We adore The Shark Steam Mop & Handheld Steam Cleaner S6005UK thanks to its clever design, which uses Lift-Away Technology so that you can instantly switch from blasting your floors to tackling grime and grout on your kitchen tiles. It heats up in just 30 seconds and has a Steam Blaster trigger that powers even more steam through when you’re fighting with extra-stubborn stains.

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FAQs

How do steam cleaners work?

You might wonder where the dirt goes when you steam clean. The short answer? Unless you have one with a suction function, it doesn’t go anywhere. Steam cleaners actually use heat to turn water into steam, which is then emitted through a nozzle or brush. The high temperature of the steam loosens dirt, grime, and bacteria from your surfaces, which can then be wiped or vacuumed away.

Is steam cleaning safe for all surfaces?

While steam cleaning is effective on many surfaces, be cautious with delicate materials like silk or certain hardwood floors, which could be damaged by moisture. Steam cleaners generally shouldn’t be used with laminate floors, either.

Do I need to use cleaning solutions?

No, steam cleaners are chemical-free, using only water to create steam. This makes them eco-friendly and safe for use around kids and pets. There are scents available that you can pop into the tank with the water, though, and these can make your home feel fabulously fresh!

How do I descale my steam cleaner?

Over time, mineral deposits from hard water can build up in your steam cleaner. To descale it, simply follow the manufacturer’s instructions which typically advise using a descaling solution or a mixture of water and vinegar.

Choosing the right steam cleaner comes down to your personal needs and the tasks at hand. Whether you’re looking to tackle floors, grout, or upholstery, there’s a steam cleaner out there that will make your life easier. Happy cleaning!

Hopefully we’ve answered all your big questions in this guide and you’re now on the right pathway to finding a steam cleaner that best suits your home. Very.co.uk will still be here to help after you’ve made your decision too, starting with delivery straight to your door. Of course, your steam cleaner will come with a manufacturer’s guarantee but you can also enjoy extra peace of mind with our optional Very Protect insurance offer, which will ensure we’ve got you covered should anything go wrong.

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