Written by Nathalie
Edited on
20 July 2026
·
10:41
How do you choose a steam cleaner?
Are you looking for a steam cleaner, but aren't you sure which one suits you best? In this article, you can read what to keep in mind. Think about which surfaces you want to clean and which attachments you need for that. Also keep the water tank and the steam pressure in mind. This way, you can choose the best steam cleaner for you.
Choose steam cleaner
Before you choose a steam cleaner, it's important to keep a few things in mind. Ask yourself the following:
- What do you use the steam cleaner for?
- Do you want to work a long time before refilling?
- Which steam pressure do you need?
- Do you also want to vacuum dirt?
- Which accessories do you need?
What do you use the steam cleaner for?
Parquet and laminate
For parquet and laminate, choose a steam cleaner with an adjustable steam pressure and microfiber cover. Put the steam pressure at the lowest setting, provide short steam bursts, and don't stay at 1 place too long. This way, there won't be any moisture in the crevices and the floor won't warp. Only use a steam cleaner on professionally-placed floors.
Tile floors
For tile floors, choose a steam cleaner with a special floor cloth. This cloth absorbs dirt and moisture right away, so you won't get any stripes. You can also choose an adjustable steam pressure for old or damaged joints, loose tiles, or a special finish. This way, you use less steam at vulnerable spots.
Carpet and rugs
For carpet and rugs, choose a steam cleaner with a carpet glider. The steam can protrude deeper into the fabric with this attachment. That's useful, because carpet and rugs retain a lot of dirt and bacteria. A steam cleaner for carpet is also useful if you have a pet.
Fabric
For curtains, pillows, car seat upholstery, and your couch, choose a steam cleaner with a fabric attachment. With this, you can quickly freshen up fabric and remove bacteria and dust mites. Calmly work in lanes, so you can take care of every part of the fabric.
Do you want to work a long time before refilling?
The capacity of the water tank determines how long you can clean. The larger the tank, the more water it fits and the longer you can continue working. You don't have to refill at all or barely during your job. Do you clean a lot of spaces or large surfaces? Choose at least a 1L capacity.
Which steam pressure do you need?
How powerful you clean depends on the steam pressure. Choose a high steam pressure for stubborn dirt, grease, and limescale. This way, you can clean faster and scrub less. For a regular cleaning job, a lower steam pressure is often enough. That's also better for delicate surfaces, such as laminate or old joints.
Do you also want to vacuum dirt?
Steam vacuum cleaners steam and vacuum dirt and water right away, so you can remove dirt, crumbs, and stains. A steam vacuum cleaner also dries your floor, so your floor doesn't stay wet. You can clean hard floors, such as tile and vinyl floors. With the right attachments, you can also clean your carpet, window, and mattress.
Which accessories do you need?
With steam cloths and attachments, you can use your steam cleaner for more jobs. A steam cloth is useful for floors and a carpet glider for rugs. You often receive a few attachments with your steam device, so you can get started right away. Choose extra accessories if you want to get more out of your steam cleaner.
Article by Nathalie
Steam Cleaner Expert.
