Types

• There are two types of steam cleaners: handhelds and canister types. The handhelds are small, lightweight and inexpensive. They are mostly used for small cleaning jobs. The canister types look like canister vacuum cleaners and are much larger, heavier and expensive than handhelds. They can clean a wider range of surfaces.
  
  

Function

• Within each unit is a water tank, reservoir or boiler with a built-in heater. The tank is filled with tap water using a measuring cup or bottle. The handheld steam cleaners hold about 10 ounces; the canister types can hold up to 3-4 quarts. Once you turn the cleaner on the water is heated to boiling at up to 240 degrees Fahrenheit or more. Steam is created and is released through a hose or nozzle. The pressure of the steam loosens dirt, grease, mold or grime. By holding the nozzle you can direct a spray of steam to a small area for cleaning. Use a clean cloth to wipe away the dirt. Spray small areas and wipe until the entire surface is clean. All steam cleaners come with attachments for various cleaning jobs. These attachments included brushes of varying sizes, a crevice tool, window tool, floor tool, squeegee and extension wand.
  
  

Features

• After you run out of steam you have to wait about 20 minutes for the unit to cool before you can add more water. A few steam cleaners have a continuous-fill system that lets you safely add more water as soon you run out of steam. They have separate boilers and reservoirs. The larger steam cleaners with only one water tank have safety features such as safety cap on the boiler. Many also have steam control switches on the nozzle to turn the steam off and on quickly. A few steam cleaners include a pressure gauge that tells you if the pressure is too high or too low. In addition to the attachments, most steam cleaners come with a funnel, measuring cup and cleaning cloths. A standard feature is an indicator light that tells you when the water level is too low and some cleaners have audible signals. Other steam cleaners have an indicator light to tell you when the steam is ready. The larger canister steam cleaners have wheels for portability. A few manufacturers offer in-home demonstrations. Instructional videos may be available in addition to the owner's manual.
  
  

Benefits

• Steam cleaners are great for cleaning bathroom and kitchen grout, floors and counters. Other uses include kitchen appliances and fabrics such as upholstery and carpets. The main benefit of using steam cleaning is that it is free of chemicals. Steam is also able to get to hard to reach places that a sponge cannot reach. Handhelds are good for people who don't have the money or the space for a canister steam cleaner. With steam cleaners you get a clean home that is also sanitized and free of many allergens.
  
  

Considerations

• While steam is very good at cleaning, hot water alone cannot kill all the bacteria or mold in your home. Steam cleaning can be time consuming because of the time it takes water to boil, and because of the cooling off period between fills many models require.
  
  

Warning

• Steam cleaners can be dangerous is not used properly. Hot water and steam can cause severer burns. When using the nozzle to direct the steam make certain to have the nozzle facing away from you. Turn off the cleaner before wiping away the dirt. If steam is escaping from any part of the steam cleaner besides the end of the nozzle or hose, there is a problem. Follow the directions when adding attachments.