How to choose household steam cleaners for your home

A steam cleaner is a versatile tool that is an amazing combination of almost all household cleaning tools. With its help, you can easily reach any, even hard-to-reach places, and hot steam guarantees reliable protection against bacteria and viruses. The environmental friendliness of the process is also favorable - there are no various questionable chemicals, since dirt is removed with hot steam. Despite the fact that steam cleaners appeared relatively recently, you can find many models in stores, most of which cannot be called high-quality. How to choose household steam cleaners for your home, which is the best and what to pay attention to first?

Purpose and principle of operation

The purpose of the products is to remove contaminants from any surface by treating it with hot steam. Main functions of the steam cleaner:

• cleaning all kinds of surfaces that are resistant to moisture and high temperatures - household appliances, mirrors, tiles, plumbing fixtures, etc.;
• processing hard-to-reach places - seams between tiles, cracks, small holes, etc.;
• getting rid of bedbugs, ticks, lice;
• easy care of clothes, furniture, curtains and carpets.

Almost all types of contaminants are susceptible to hot steam, even without the help of detergents; however, rust and limescale may require pre-treatment with a cleaning liquid. Despite the constant improvement of steam cleaners, their design remains unchanged: a heating element, a water container, all kinds of nozzles, a hose and a release device. The start of work is preceded by pouring water into the container and further connecting the product to the electrical network. After a short time, the water will boil and begin to transform into steam, after which you can begin cleaning. The structure of the steam flow is not dense, which eliminates the possibility of getting a burn upon contact with it. In addition, some models have a suction function and a container for collecting collected water. The most expensive steam cleaners are equipped with an injector and a pump that supplies the cleaning agent, which significantly improves the quality of cleaning.

Types of technology

Different types of devices make it possible to choose the optimal, most suitable option for performing certain tasks:

• Manual. They have the appearance of an electric kettle and are small in size, which makes them the best choice for small spaces. The power of such devices varies in the range of 600 - 1600, the volume of water poured is 0.5 l, and the operating time is up to 20 minutes. The number of functions depends on the pressure created - the higher its value, the greater the number of surfaces to be cleaned. The cost of manual steam cleaners is the most affordable.
• Floor-standing. They are similar in appearance to vacuum cleaners, which also makes them easier to use - you only have to hold the hose with the nozzle suspended.Their power is much higher - 1500–2300 W, which also applies to the tank, which can hold from 1.5 to 3.2 liters of water and guarantees uninterrupted operation for an hour. However, the price of such products is higher.
• Multifunctional. The most versatile floor-mounted option, which is equipped with numerous attachments. They are equipped with a large water tank, have increased power and, accordingly, cost.

The key factor, most often, is the cost, which can vary significantly depending on the type of steam cleaner. But, on the other hand, buying a more expensive model will provide you with a reliable assistant for several years.

Features of choosing equipment

It will become much easier to choose a technique if you identify in advance the areas of its application, the surfaces to be processed and their types. When purchasing you need to take into account:

• Power. The higher this indicator, the better the cleaning and the higher the speed of the supplied steam. It is recommended not to buy a product whose power is lower than 1000 W.
• The weight of the device, which affects ease of use, because a heavy steam cleaner cannot be carried for a long time.
• Nozzles The more there are, the better, since the versatility of the device increases. In any case, there should be at least 3 nozzles.
• Steam pressure. The performance of most models varies from 2 to 6 Bar.
• Power cord. If you don’t have a lot of sockets in your home, then you should take a closer look at steam cleaners with a cord length of at least 4 m.
• Hose length. It should be medium, since condensation can collect on the inner walls of a long hose as the steam cools and thereby damage some surfaces.
• Product dimensions.
• Water tank volume. Everything is also simple here - the larger the volume, the longer the work.For example, 1 liter of water is enough for 40 minutes of continuous cleaning.
• Maximum temperature and heating time. Depending on the power and amount of water, the indicator ranges from 10 seconds to 10 minutes. Pouring hot water into the tank will help reduce them. The maximum steam temperature is 140 degrees.
• Heating type. It can be flow-through or with the generation of hot steam in a tank. The latter option is more popular because the steam temperature and its supply power are higher.
• Material of manufacture. It directly affects the durability of the steam cleaner, so products made of heat-resistant plastic deserve attention. The best solution would be to buy a device with an aluminum tank - in this case the water will heat up faster.

In addition, some models provide the ability to regulate the temperature of the steam, its supply power, and also block operation, which is important if there are small children in the house.

Rating of the best steam cleaners of 2018

The rating of steam cleaners consists of models recognized as the best by many buyers. They have many advantages, although there are also disadvantages, albeit minor ones. So, the best are:

1. Karcher SC 2. Plastic floor option, which makes it light weight. Pleased with the large 1 liter water tank, as well as scale protection, which significantly increases the durability of the device. The comfort of cleaning is enhanced by a long 4 m power cord and hose. As for the cost, it is affordable and affordable for most consumers. The disadvantages are that the power cord does not wind up inside, and when pouring water you have to unplug it from the outlet every time.
2. MIE Bello. A powerful steam cleaner that includes an iron and a steamer, with which you can easily clean curtains and clothes. High quality work is ensured by a steam pressure of 5.5 bar, as well as many different nozzles. There are no significant drawbacks, however, some owners are not satisfied with the large dimensions of the iron and the inability to place it in a vertical position.
3. Polaris PSC 1101C. A budget-friendly and compact steam cleaner, equipped with three nozzles, a 3 m power cord and a modest 0.27 liter water tank. High performance is achieved with a pressure of 3.5 Bar and a power of 1100 W. An indicator indicating readiness for work is convenient. The disadvantage of the device is obvious - a small volume of water.
4. Kitfort KT-903. An attractive model with an interesting design, which is characterized by outstanding power of 2000 W and pressure of up to 4 Bar. In the kit you will find many attachments and useful accessories. It is possible to clean almost any surface, including large volumes, thanks to continuous operation. The disadvantages include the significant weight of the product.

Choosing the best steam cleaner is an individual process, because certain parameters are important for everyone. In order for the product to serve faithfully for many years, it is necessary to handle it with care, follow the operating instructions and keep it clean.