Steam Cleaners

There are different types of steam cleaners that will be more or less suitable depending on what, where and how you want to clean.

• A cylinder steam cleaner is a slightly heavier version that looks like an upright vacuum cleaner. It has a larger water tank, which makes it suitable if you have a big house to clean and don’t want to keep refilling the tank.

• A steam mop is lighter and has a smaller water tank that’s ideal for cleaning floors in flats or smaller houses. Just be careful when steam-cleaning older parquet floors.

• A hand-held steam cleaner is easy for you to carry in one hand. It’s the best option for cleaning ovens, grout lines or shower walls, as it usually has lower steam pressure and a smaller water tank.

• A cordless steam cleaner is easier to move around your home, as you don’t need to worry about a cord. But you will need to make sure that the battery is fully charged before you start cleaning.

A water tank that holds one litre will provide steam for 20–30 minutes, depending on the setting. Cylinder steam cleaners usually have capacity for up to two litres, so choose one of these if you have a lot of surfaces to clean. But there are certain drawbacks. A larger tank takes longer to heat the water and makes the steam cleaner heavier. So a smaller steam cleaner that’s easy for you to fill up and heats up quickly may be a better option, so you don’t need to stop cleaning because the water’s run out.