The best steam cleaners are fast becoming a standard household cleaning applianc. due to their ease of use, lightweight designs, and effective use of steam, rather than soap or chemicals to get tough areas sparkling clean. But given that there are more and more models available there are some things you should take into consideration before choosing the best steam cleaner for you and your family.
If you are like me, brand name has a lot to do with choice for most appliances. Since the steam cleaning industry is still in a growth stage, a familiar brand name is what I look for. However there are some relatively unfamiliar brands such as euro pro steam cleaner, euro pro shark, Jiffy, Reliable, Hann that all sell vacuums as well, but seem to be dominating the steam cleaning market. There are also more familiar names such as Bissell, Hoover and Oreck that have steam cleaners too.
So some of the questions you should be asking yourself is how often you will using a steam cleaner and on what surfaces you will be using it for. Of course most houses – even small apartments for that matter – will have a variety of floor, wall and cupboard surfaces that can be steam cleaned, but the best thing to do is figure out what you will be cleaning most regularly. If you have a wide coverage of hardwood floors for example, then I would give them precedence over everything else. The thing is, some of the best steam cleaners, such as the Shark pro steam pocket mop have settings for a variety of surfaces. The levels of steam power allow you to adjust for light dusting, mopping and even deep scrubbing.
The premise behind using steam to clean surfaces is that it applies gentle pressure, thus not damaging or scrathing finished surfaces, but also through the intense heat of the steam breaks down applied dirt and grime in a way that traditional cleaning cannot compete with. There is less pressure needed, less abrasive scrubbing, and depending on the design of the steam cleaner – a lot of flexibility to clean hard-to-reach places in your home. Kitchens and bathrooms can be made cleaner than they have been in years after a single cleaning with the best steam cleaner.
Steam cleaners work with replaceable, absorbing pads or spongey type covers that get wrapped over top of the cleaning head. One thing to consider is how often these get replaced or if they can be washed after use. Some people just would just prefer the type that you throw out, sort of like the swiffer mop system. I prefer the sponge covers that you can wash because they seem to have a more thorough scrubbing action to them as well. They have more padding too, that need to be tied around the steam head.
Whatever type of cover pad you prefer, the steaming action removes up to 99% of germs and bacteria from the surfaces in your home. This is an added value for people who have breathing issues, allergies, or family pets that can bring in all kinds of foreign debris. Looking clean is one thing, but the best steam cleaners can sanitize as well, and help your entire home be rid of hard to find odours. Also the fact that it is just using steam and not chemicals can make your home more safe, but it can also cut down on your cleaning expenses too. It’s really so simple. Heat it up and steam away.
One of the biggest benefits of using a Shark steam cleaner is that your kitchen and bathroom will feel completely clean fresh and sanitized. Your tiles will look brand new after their first steam. The steam that comes through the swivel heads allows for cleaning behind toilets, and under your fridge and stove. These are normally spots that are ignored because it just takes extra effort and physical dexterity to get into tight places. Not so with the best steam cleaner. You can even get to these crevices standing up straight because the tilting and swivelling head can be bent to reach underneath and behind, to apply intense steam that instantly sanitizes and leaves a streakless clean polish to the floors, tanks and appliances. And that goes for greasy surfaces as well, because that kind of grime can only be removed so quickly with intense heat, and the Shark Pro Steam Pocket Mop has a detachable steam concentrator nozzle that can be used to loosen up the toughest of stains and corners from behind appliances or in the corners of your kitchen and bathroom.
When you choose the best steam cleaner for your home, you will likely find it replacing your regular mop for everyday cleaning.