Function

• Steam cleaners of all types rely upon heated water to clean. Some may use hot water, like many carpet cleaners, while others use actual steam to dissolve dirt, soap scum and grease residue. Some steam cleaners use steam alone, while others use both steam and a detergent. Steam cleaners can be an excellent choice for those who suffer from allergies. While you will add hot water to the steam cleaner, an internal heater heats the water in your steamer to a temperature adequate to produce steam.
  
  

Types

• Three different types of cleaning appliances are commonly called steam cleaners. Carpet-cleaning machines rely upon hot water and detergent to soap, scrub and rinse your carpet. Some carpet cleaners are steamers, while others are not. Steam mops are used to clean hard-surface flooring, like linoleum and ceramic tile. Finally, hand-held steam cleaners can be used for grout, wall tile and bathroom surfaces.
  
  

Quality

• The best steam cleaners share several key traits. A generously sized water reservoir is critical to make your steam cleaner user-friendly. You should also look for a steam cleaner with brushes or other scrubbing attachments to make it easy to clean hard, carpeted or upholstered surfaces, as appropriate. Finally, a good quality heater is the most important part of any steam cleaning machine. The water must be adequately heated in order to produce steam and must maintain an even heat to do an efficient cleaning job.
  
  

Effects

• Steam can penetrate carpeting and other porous surfaces, allowing you to remove offensive stains and odors naturally. You can use a steam cleaner to lift away dirt, pet odors, and even urine smells from your carpeting or upholstery. Brushes and hose attachments can make it easier to use your steam cleaner for upholstery and other soft surfaces. Choose a steam-cleaning machine with a variety of options to allow you to make the most of your investment.
  
  

Considerations

• Decide what you want to clean when selecting the right type of steam cleaner for your home. If you need to clean carpeting, choose a cleaner designed for that. Some carpet steam cleaners do offer hard-surface cleaning as well and may have upholstery cleaning attachments. Steam mops, designed for hard floors, including tile, laminate and sealed hardwood, are less expensive and quite effective if you do not need carpet or upholstery cleaning. Finally, hand-held steamers are ideal for cleaning grout, wall tile and other upright surfaces, making it easy to clean away mold or soap scum without harsh cleaning products.