The Basics: Steam Cleaners

Steam cleaners, also known as heavyweight steam vacuums, use a combination of water, detergent and suction to clean carpets. Some models also have attachments to clean bare floors, upholstery, stairs and vehicle interiors. Many steam cleaners on the market today seem to have similar features, such as rotating brushes and upholstery attachments. Not all steam cleaners, however, have a built-in heating element to create steam.

Heavyweight steam vacuums are ideal for those who often need to clean carpets -- without calling in the professionals each time. Most steam vacuums will power through dirt-laden carpets and may delay a visit from the professional cleaners for some time.

To help you determine which model will work best for you, dial in your priorities. Do you need to use the steam vacuum on upholstery or bare floors, as well as carpets? Is your carpet prone to set-in stains that need pre-treatment? Is your home covered in carpets that need a thorough cleaning every few months? Answering these questions will help you sort through the available options on most heavyweight steam cleaners, and decide which model will best suit your needs.

Most people who buy steam cleaners expect them to last for many years, so it is important to gauge the effectiveness of a manufacturer's warranty. Many manufacturers offer 1-year warranties, but we recommend warranties that last at least 2 years. Some companies offer 3-year warranties. It's also important to know if a company offers separate warranties for "parts" and "labor." For example, the parts warranty could be 1 year and the labor warranty could be as little as 90 days.

A heavyweight steam vacuum is likely to cost anywhere from $100 for a basic model to more than $1,000 for a steam vacuum that offers commercial-grade cleaning. Keep in mind that unless you're buying a commercial-quality machine that costs hundreds of dollars, most models in the $100 to $300 price range perform about the same.

How To Shop

Consumers, caution ahead: Not all steam cleaners actually use steam to clean. The name of the product may have the word "steam" in it, but for many models, the only heat comes from hot tap water.

True steam cleaners have an internal heating element that raises water temperature to create steam. However, if the steam vacuum you select doesn't produce steam heat, don't despair -- it will still clean your carpets. It is simply important to know what you are buying.

There are two current trends in heavyweight steam vacuums. The first trend centers on the brushes installed in the main vacuum head. As you shop, you'll notice that many models tout rotating brushes or spinning brushes. Most manufacturers even give these brushes their own identity, such as PowerSpin or SpinScrub. These clever monikers aside, most of these brushes perform about the same. As their names suggest, they either rotate or spin, and the idea is to agitate carpet fibers from multiple angles. In our testing, we discovered that both types of brushes helped loosen dirt from fibers. Keep in mind that if you have delicate carpets, you will want to select a steam cleaner that has the option to turn off these brushes. For convenience' sake, you'll want the switch that operates the brushes to be located on the steam vacuum's handle. It just works better if you don't have to search for it.
The second trend is a bit more gimmicky. It involves attachments marketed as specialized tools for tackling specific problems -- namely, pet stains. The truth is, nearly any steam vacuum (or handheld attachment) will work similarly on carpet stains caused by pets.

Many heavyweight steam vacuums have adjustable settings for various pile heights or to control the amount of cleaning solution released into carpets, but some new vacuums have an "automatic height adjustment" feature. Many people who clean their own carpets are concerned about leaving excess water and cleaning solution behind -- and rightly so. The best heavyweight steam vacuums don't douse carpets. In fact, it shouldn't take more than a couple of hours for carpets to dry. Carpets that stay wet for extended periods become breeding grounds for mold and bacteria, which is exactly the opposite effect most people desire from a carpet cleaner.

The most basic models don't have extra cleaning tools or attachments, but even the more expensive models have only one or two accessories. The most common attachment is an upholstery tool, which can be used to clean upholstered furniture or carpeted stairs. The upholstery tool releases cleaning solution, usually contains a scrubbing brush and uses suction to extract moisture from carpets. Some models also include a bare floor attachment to steam clean sealed bare floors, but we found this option is time consuming.

The majority of heavyweight steam vacuums have a two-tank system. One tank holds clean water and a cleaning solution, while a second tank collects the dirty water extracted from carpets. We prefer the cleaners with a three-tank system. This means you have the option of applying a clean-water rinse to carpets, reducing the amount of soapy residue left behind. Some models have an automatic detergent dispenser, and this is a useful tool.

Although several hundred dollars is a lot to pay for a steam cleaner, if you purchase a top-rated cleaner, it could potentially save money you'd otherwise spend on professional cleanings. You may not opt to forego the professional carpet cleaners entirely, but a quality heavyweight steam cleaner could lessen the need. And it is great for timely cleanings after children, pets or partygoers have made their presence known.