See my complete story at National Geographic.
Steam cleaners can be an easy and eco-friendly way to deep-clean your home. Instead of using chemical-based cleaning products and disposable cloths, they dissolve dirt and sanitize surfaces by heating up plain or distilled water to about 220 degrees. Steam cleaners are also versatile; you can use them on floors, upholstery, and clothing.
“Steam mops are more efficient for cleaning larger areas without leaving much water behind. They’re also excellent at tackling tough stains on floors, especially tile. The high heat of the steam helps kill bacteria and remove grime,” says Toby Schulz, the CEO and cofounder of Maid2Match, an Australia-based home cleaning service.
When shopping for the best steam cleaners, Schulz says it’s important to consider the surfaces you’ll be cleaning. Not all materials can withstand the high heat and water penetration of steam cleaners. You should also evaluate the weight of the steamer, reservoir size, steam output, and portability.
There are many steam cleaners on the market, ranging in price from under $100 to close to $200. Our top pick for the overall best steam cleaner is the PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop. It’s affordable, heats up quickly, doesn’t weigh much, and has stellar reviews. We also looked at steam cleaners in other categories, from handhelds to uprights. Here are all of our top picks.
Our picks for the best steam cleaners
• Best overall steam cleaner: PurSteam 10-in-1 Steam Mop
• Best handheld steam cleaner: Bissell SteamShot
• Best upright steam cleaner: Black + Decker 7-in-1 Steam Mop
• Best budget steam cleaner: Shark S100 Steam Mop
• Best steam cleaner for upholstery: PureClean XL Rolling Steam Cleaner
• Best steam cleaner for tile: Bissell PowerFresh Deluxe Scrubbing & Sanitizing Steam Mop
• Most Versatile steam cleaner: Dupray Neat Steam Cleaner
• Best lightweight steam cleaner: Bissell PowerFresh Scrubbing & Sanitizing Steam Mop
Read more about each option over at my story at National Geographic.
