The Best Steam Cleaners

HOW TO CHOOSE = The best steam cleaners will have a stainless steel boilers which heat water quickly and resist rust. Try to buy a steam cleaner with as large a boiler as possible in your price range. Fifty ounces will give you about an hour of cleaning.

Continuous fill capacity is a feature that makes these units easier to use and safer. You don’t have to wait 15 to 20 minutes for the unit to cool down before refilling. Furthermore, these don’t require safety caps because you never have to access the boiler, just the reservoir.

Look for a durable hose with a control switch (on the trigger of handle instead of on the machine) to regulate the flow and level of steam. The best steam cleaners usually come with several attachments.

A tool for floors and one for windows are standard. Other helpful options include squeegees, extension wands, crevice tools, funnels, filler bottles and measuring cups.

Instructional videos have been applauded by consumers as being extremely helpful in the proper operation of steam cleaners.

Experts point out that steam cleaners are not meant to clean everything. They shouldn’t be used on painted surfaces, soft plastic or untreated wood. Also, steam cleaners don’t include suction, so you will need to wipe up loosened grime.

THE REVIEW = The Best Home Steam Cleaner is the McCulloch MC-1275 canister steam cleaner, and it’s well priced at $110. It let’s you clean tile, grout, shower doors and appliances using only water – no detergents.

Cleaning with steam can also kill mold and dust mites, so it can also be used to clean metal blinds, curtains and bedding. It has a 50 ounce tank, and the accessories allow you to get into difficult spots.

Other top performers include:

Best Handheld Steam Cleaner = SteamFast SF-227 @ $40.

Best price found in Dec., ’09 and again in Apr., '10 = Amazon.com – nobody else was close.

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