Home Cleaning Cleaning How-Tos How To Use A Steam Cleaner: Step by Step This handy cleaning tool can be used on everything from clothes to couches and more. By Nafeesah Allen, Ph.D. Published on September 26, 2023 In This Article View All In This Article How Does It Work What to Steam Clean What Not to Steam Clean How to Use a Steam Cleaner More Tips Close Photo: Farah Kilani/Getty Images If you're looking for a powerful and efficient way to deep clean various surfaces in your home, a steam cleaner can be your best friend. These versatile machines use high-temperature steam to effectively remove dirt, grime, and even stubborn stains from a wide range of surfaces. Whether it's floors, mattresses, upholstery, a stove hood, or bathroom tiles, a steam cleaner can tackle even the hardest to remove grime and build up without the need for harsh chemicals. Here’s what you need to know to learn how to use a steam cleaner safely and effectively to sanitize your home. The 8 Best Steam Cleaners, According to Our Tests What Is a Steam Cleaner? And How Does it Work? A steam cleaner is an appliance that heats water to high temperatures, typically 200 F to 300 F (93 C to 148 C), creating a pressurized burst of steam that is directed through a nozzle or brush attachment. The heat can not only remove soap, grease, and limescale, but it can also sanitize fabrics and remove mold, bacteria, and mildew. 13 Signs of Mold in the House to Keep an Eye On Steam cleaners can come in three variations: canister, upright or mop, and handheld. Cleaning attachments can include nozzles, extension wands, brushes, squeegee attachments, and fabric attachments. Here's a breakdown of how a typical steam cleaner works: Water Heating: Inside the device, there's a sealed water reservoir that heats the water to those high temperatures. This process creates pressurized steam, ready to melt, disinfect, and remove grime and dirt.Steam Vapor: Once hot steam vapor is produced, it is pressurized through a nozzle or attachment in a powerful stream. The hotter the steam gets the lower the chances of streaks or moisture damage.Cleaning Action: As the steam makes contact with the surface, it effectively loosens dirt, stubborn stains, and pesky bacteria. The pressure detaches and lifts contaminants away from the surface, making residue easy to wipe away without harsh chemical cleaners.Sanitization: Thanks to the intensely hot temperatures, steam cleaners can sanitize hard-to-reach places. Household bacteria, germs, and dust mites are killed on contact, leaving surfaces clean and hygienic. Because the moisture dries so fast, there’s no need for suction, but to remove the dirt and allergens, you’ll need to vacuum, wipe, sweep, or mop afterward. What Can You Clean with a Steam Cleaner? Steam cleaners are versatile and can be used on a wide variety of surfaces and items. It's important to check the manufacturer’s instructions to understand what can be cleaned and at what temperature. Popular surfaces to clean with a steam cleaner include: Bathroom Surfaces Steam cleaners are excellent for cleaning and sanitizing non-painted bathroom tiles, grout, and fixtures. If your shower and bath have excess soap scum and limescale build-up, a steam cleaner can help loosen both without the use of harsh chemicals. Carpet and Upholstery Steam cleaning can refresh carpets, rugs, and upholstered furniture, removing dirt, allergens, and odors. But be cautious with delicate, antique, or sensitive fabrics, like silk or Persian rugs. Clothes Steam cleaners can remove wrinkles and spot dry clean delicate clothes. Steam cleaners have benefits a cut above ironing, because you never have to worry about burning fabric or the lingering smell of metal or starch. Glass, Windows, and Mirrors Spores and bacteria often live in the crevices of window and door panes. A steam cleaner can kill them quickly. Hardwood and Tile Floors Steam cleaners can effectively dislodge and lift grime from most flooring surfaces. It can also remove sticky, viscous gunk from tile grout. However, it's essential to check the manufacturer's recommendations for your specific flooring type. Kitchen Appliances Steam can help dissolve grease and food residue on stovetops, ovens, and microwaves. It can also disinfect them to prevent food contamination. But you’ll want to be sure that all appliances are unplugged before cleaning. Mattresses and Bedding To eliminate dust mites and allergens from mattresses, pillows, and curtains, look no further. A steam cleaner can kill mold, mildew, and dust mites. It can even get rid of bed bugs and their eggs on the surface of mattresses, rugs, and cushions, but it’s not likely to reach any that are deeper than an inch below the surface (and, if you have a bed bug infestation, you should seek professional treatment). What Should You Avoid Steam Cleaning? Steam cleaners thrive on heat and humidity. It is best to avoid any surface that will warp, melt, or buckle in the face of excessive amounts of hot water. Think twice before cleaning these surfaces: Delicate Fabrics Be cautious with silk, satin, and other delicate fabrics, as high heat and moisture can damage them. Electrical Appliances Avoid using steam on electrical outlets, switches, and appliances that are still connected to an energy source. Pressurized steam can cause moisture accumulation, heat damage, short circuits, and condensation. The minerals and impurities in tap water may cause long-term corrosion if surfaces aren’t properly wiped down with micro-fiber or cotton cloths after the steam clean. Beware that using a steam cleaner may also void some appliance warranties that specifically list steam cleaning as an improper cleaning method. Unsealed Hardwood, Laminate, and Porous Flooring Steam can damage unsealed or poorly sealed hardwood floors, most laminates, stucco, marble, and brick. Because these materials are porous, the water gets into small cracks and causes warping, swelling, or breakage. Always check the manufacturer's recommendations to see if there is a safer way to clean these materials. Water-Based Painted Surfaces Walls, tiles, or furniture with water-based paint finishes are also off-limits. What You'll Need Equipment / Tools Steam cleaner with appropriate attachments Materials Tap or distilled water Microfiber cloths or towels Cleaning solution (if recommended for particular surfaces) Safety goggles (optional, for eye protection) Instructions How to Use a Steam Cleaner Prepare the Steam Cleaner Following the manufacturer's guidelines, fill the water chamber with clean tap or distilled water. Attach the appropriate nozzle or brush for the cleaning task. Prep the Area Remove loose dirt or debris on the surface you intend to clean. Turn on the Steam Cleaner Plug in the steam cleaner and turn it on, allowing it to heat up and generate steam. Test on a Small Area Before tackling the entire surface, test the steam cleaner on a small sample area. If there is no damage, then continue as planned. Begin Cleaning Hold the nozzle, brush, or other attachment close to the surface and press the steam button.Pass over small sections at a time to move the steam cleaner slowly and steadily over the surface. Wipe and Repeat Immediately wipe the treated area with a clean, dry microfiber cloth or towel to remove loosened dirt and moisture.Repeat the process for the entire surface, working systematically until the entire area has been treated. Sanitize If your steam cleaner has a sanitizing feature, you can use it to kill bacteria and germs on the cleaned surface. Dry Most surfaces need at least two hours to dry, but large, fibrous surfaces may need 6-12 hours to fully dry. You can open windows or turn on the air conditioner and fan to hasten drying times. Turn Off, Cool Down, and Store Turn off the steam cleaner and allow it to cool.Empty the water chamber and rinse with warm, clean water to remove any mineral build-up.Run clean water through the steam wand to remove any remaining steam and prevent blockages.Use a damp cloth to wipe down the exterior of the steam cleaner. Remove any dirt or residue.Store the steam cleaner in an upright position after it is completely dry and cool. How Can You Make the Most of a Steam Cleaner? To avoid mistakes, always check the manufacturer's instructions for your specific steam cleaner model and follow the rules. Only use water inside the cleaner. Avoid additions like detergents or cleaning liquids, unless recommended by the manufacturer. When in doubt, pre-treat the area with a cleaner or stain remover before steaming. Avoid mineral build-up from tap water by using distilled water and cleaning your steam cleaner regularly. When in use, steam cleaners are meant to move smoothly across surfaces. Avoid hovering over one spot for too long, as excessive heat and moisture can cause damage. Beware of burns and scalding. Aim nozzles carefully to avoid harming pets, kids, and yourself. Regularly clean and maintain your steam cleaner. Replace filters and check for damage to brushes, nozzles, or other attachments.