Have you removed the dirt and debris from your vehicle but the odors and stains persist? If so, it’s time to get some help from the car detailing world’s undisputed heavyweight cleaning champion: the steam cleaner.
In the past, steamers were tools we used only in our homes. These days, however, there are myriad models out there that are powerful, compact, and functional enough to deep clean every inch of your car’s interior, including the windows, fabric, leather, vinyl, and more.
In this guide, we discuss everything you need to know about these handy tools. We’ll cover more about how these cleaning tools work, what to look for and what to avoid when buying, and also review 8 of the best steam cleaners for cars on the market.
Quick Links to Our Top Recommendations for Best Steam Cleaner for Cars
- McCulloch Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner with 18 Accessories
- A powerful, high-pressure steamer that allows 45 minutes of continuous use.
- Vapamore Primo Steam Cleaning System
- Packs a serious punch but still retains above-average portability.
- PurSteam Chemical-Free Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner with 9-Piece Accessory Set
- Compact, incredibly light, easy to carry around, and surprisingly potent for its size.
- Wagner Spraytech On-demand Steam Cleaner
- A basic, frill-free steamer that will satisfy the needs of most car owners.
- Steamfast Multi-Purpose Steam Cleaner
- A highly portable steam cleaner that has a handy “steamlock” feature and comes with ample accessories.
- Pure Enrichment PureClean XL Rolling Steam Cleaner
- A good steam cleaner for buyers who appreciate versatility, affordability, and an extender warranty.
- BISSELL SpotClean Auto Portable Cleaner for Carpet & Cars
- A different take on standard steamers that excels in spot cleaning. Ideal for smaller cars.
- Hoover Spotless Portable Carpet & Upholstery Spot Cleaner
- Not an out-and-out steamer but it applies the same principles and is still a great choice for those who want to give their car interior some TLC.
Note: Clicking the above links will take you to further information, current prices and customer reviews on Amazon.
Contents (Jump to Topic)
- 1 Best Steam Cleaners for Cars – A Detailed Look at Our Top Recommendations
- 1.1 Mcculloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner
- 1.2 Vapamore Mr-100 Primo Steam Cleaning System
- 1.3 Pursteam Chemical-Free Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner With 9-Piece Accessory Set
- 1.4 Wagner Spraytech Wagner 0282014 915 on-Demand Steam Cleaner
- 1.5 Steamfast Sf-370wh Multi-Purpose Steam Cleaner
- 1.6 Pure Enrichment Pureclean XL Rolling Steam Cleaner – 18 Accessories
- 1.7
- 1.8 BISSELL Spotclean Auto Portable Cleaner for Carpet & Cars
- 1.9 Hoover Spotless Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner
- 2 What Is a Steam Cleaner?
- 3 Benefits of Using a Steam Cleaner on Your Car
- 4 What Can It Clean in Your Car?
- 5 What to Look for When Buying a Steam Cleaner
- 6 Conclusion
Best Steam Cleaners for Cars – A Detailed Look at Our Top Recommendations
Let’s have a closer look at the top steam cleaners for cars available, all hand-picked by our team.
Mcculloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner
This sturdy auto detailing steam cleaner boasts one of the largest water reservoirs. With a 48-ounce capacity, this device should provide 45 minutes of continuous steam. The high-pressure output (43 psi) should help you remove stubborn stains and kill any germs settled deep within fabrics.
This popular model also comes with a complete tool kit of 18 accessories. Between the floor mop, microfiber cloths, a squeegee, and brushes of different sizes, these should cover most of your car’s surfaces.
Although it’s powerful at 1500 watts, this steamer is also lightweight and portable. When needed, it can be brought inside the house to clean floors and kitchen appliances.
Features and Specifications
- Tank capacity: 48 ounces.
- Heat-up time: 8 minutes.
- Maximum steam time: 45 minutes.
- Steam pressure: 43 psi.
- Temperature (F):
- Accessories: 18 included.
- Power cord length: 15 feet.
- Hose Length: 10 feet.
- Dimensions:5 inches x 10.5 inches x 17.2 inches.
- Weight: 10 pounds.
- Power/Watts: 1500.
- Outlet/Volts:
- Warranty: Two-year warranty.
What We Like
- Customer service located in the United States.
- Versatile and multi-purpose.
- Comes with a carrying handle.
- Includes 19 feet-extension wands.
- The switch lock makes it easy to use.
- Large water tank.
- Able to clean large surfaces with the large mop head (12 inches x 6 inches).
- Long and powerful hose included.
- Includes a full set of accessories and attachments (including jet nozzle).
What We Don’t Like
- Users report that plastic parts tend to break.
- Small brushes don’t last very long and need replacing.
Vapamore Mr-100 Primo Steam Cleaning System
Featuring a water tank capacity of 54 ounces, this powerful steam cleaner should guarantee a continuous cleaning session for at least 50 minutes. This might be the ideal device if you’re looking to clean your entire car at once without a refill.
This model also shows one of the strongest pressures available (over 50 psi), making stains vanish faster than most other steamers.
Among the 18 included accessories, a slider attachment makes it easy and safe to clean carpets and delicate fabrics. Simply slide the attachment onto the floor mop. The extra-long power cord and hose should access the hard-to-reach and fiddliest places in your car. It also includes a replacement O-ring set to increase its durability.
Slightly heavier than other models, it’s still lightweight considering the power and functionality provided.
Features and Specifications
- Tank capacity: 54 ounces.
- Heat-up time: 11 minutes.
- Maximum steam time: 50 minutes.
- Steam pressure: 7 psi.
- Temperature (F): 210-220.
- Accessories: 18 included.
- Power cord length: 18 feet.
- Hose Length: 6 feet.
- Dimensions: 13 inches x 15 inches x 14 inches.
- Weight: 5 pounds.
- Power/Watts: 1500.
- Outlet/Volts:
- Warranty: Lifetime warranty (heating elements and electronic parts).
- Unique features: Carpet slider accessory and replacement O-ring set.
What We Like
- Adjustable output.
- ETL certified.
- Device includes a convenient accessory storage compartment.
- Comes with a separate storage bag.
- Replacement O-ring set and carpet slider included.
- Users report easy maintenance.
- Comes with two extension tubes.
- Combines all attachments needed for versatile use.
What We Don’t Like
- Heavier than other devices.
- The power cord seems shorter than expected.
Pursteam Chemical-Free Handheld Pressurized Steam Cleaner With 9-Piece Accessory Set
Are you looking for a compact, high-pressure steam cleaner that’s easy to carry around? If so, the PurSteam handheld steam cleaner is a great option. It weighs just over two pounds, and it only takes a few minutes to heat up the water.
Although tiny, it still provides an impressive pressure of over 43 psi and an overall power of around 1000 watts. This device is ideal for removing spotted stains in your car or at home. It’s designed to clean small surfaces but comes with the necessary accessory to clean your car’s windows.
This steamer features a smaller water tank than other models (less than 12 ounces), so you might have to refill the tank a few times to clean all hidden spots inside your car.
Features and Specifications
- Tank capacity: 11.8 ounces.
- Heat-up time: 3 to 4 minutes.
- Maximum steam time: 10 to 12 minutes.
- Pressure: 43.5 psi.
- Temperature (F): N/A
- Accessories: 9 included.
- Power cord length:8 feet.
- Dimensions:8 inches x 7.5 inches x 10 inches.
- Weight:2 pounds.
- Power/Watts: 950-1100.
- Outlet/Volts: 100-120.
- Unique feature: Handheld steam cleaner. Includes an ironing brush and cloth.
What We Like
- Fast heat-up time.
- Very compact and easy to carry.
- Budget-friendly.
- Includes accessories needed for stain removal and tiny surfaces.
- Light and easy to use.
- Good pressure and power for the size.
- ETL and RoHS certified.
What We Don’t Like
- Short power cord.
- Small water tank.
- Users report issues reaching the highest steam temperature.
Wagner Spraytech Wagner 0282014 915 on-Demand Steam Cleaner
Looking for a simple but powerful steamer? This steamer sticks to the basics. It comes with a small floor mop, a microfiber pad, a squeegee, a hose, and a couple of tiny brushes.
Unlike most other steamers, this device includes a wallpaper-removing attachment. This might not help to clean your car but should be handy down the road for some housework or DIY.
Output can be controlled at the push of a button. The large, 48-ounce water reservoir provides around 45 minutes of continuous steam. Heavier than other models, it features two strong wheels to roll the unit around.
Features and Specifications
- Tank capacity: 48 ounces.
- Maximum steam time: 45 minutes.
- Temperature (F): N/A
- Accessories: 6 included.
- Hose Length: 6 feet.
- Dimensions: 20 inches x 15 inches x 12.5 inches.
- Weight: 16 pounds.
- Power/Watts: 915.
- Outlet/Volts: N/A
- Warranty: One-year warranty.
- Unique features: Includes a wallpaper removal attachment. Continuous or intermittent steam lock.
What We Like
- Controllable output.
- Most parts are replaceable.
- Large water tank.
- Long flexible hose.
- Great to clean large and small surfaces.
- Includes a wallpaper-removing attachment.
What We Don’t Like
- Users report long heat-up times.
- Users wished the power cord were longer.
Steamfast Sf-370wh Multi-Purpose Steam Cleaner
This high-power, 1500-watt steamer features a 45-ounce water reservoir able to heat up within just eight minutes. Even if you’re getting stuck into a major cleaning session and need to refill the tank, this should be a fast process.
It includes 15 different accessories such as a mop head, small rounded brushes, microfiber pads, and a squeegee. Unlike other larger steam cleaners, it also comes with a corner tool and a fitting sponge pad. No corner will be left uncleaned!
This steamer also features a lock switch. At the push of a button, choose between a continuous steam mode or small bursts. The two extension wands allow you to access hard-to-reach places, inside the car or between the wheels.
Features and Specifications
- Tank capacity: 45 ounces.
- Heat-up time: 8 minutes.
- Maximum steam time: 45 minutes
- Temperature (F): over 200.
- Accessories: 15 included.
- Power cord length:4 feet.
- Dimensions:5 inches x 12 inches x 15.3 inches.
- Weight:4 pounds.
- Power/Watts: 1500.
- Outlet/Volts:
- Warranty: One-year warranty.
- Unique features: Includes a corner tool attachment. Continuous or intermittent steam lock.
What We Like
- Steam lock switch.
- Comes with a high number of accessories.
- Strong power.
- Lightweight.
- Built-in cord storage.
- Long power cord.
- Fast heat-up time.
What We Don’t Like
- Shorter warranty.
- Users find that this device creates an excess of moisture.
Pure Enrichment Pureclean XL Rolling Steam Cleaner – 18 Accessories
This model has been built to last. The manufacturer stands behind its product, offering a generous five-year warranty. It is ETL-certified so quality and safety shouldn’t be an issue.
Although this steamer is quite light at just nine pounds, for its size, it offers a high level of functionality. It also features large and sturdy wheels, making it easy to roll around a large yard, and an extra-long, 16-foot power cord.
Coming with 18 versatile accessories, all surfaces of the car (including the windows) should be covered.
This steamer provides the power and features you need to get your cleaning done in a short period of time. The large water reservoir might not need to be refilled during a regular cleaning session. This device is, however, able to heat up the large water volume in only eight minutes.
Features and Specifications
- Tank capacity: 51 ounces.
- Heat-up time: 8 minutes.
- Maximum steam time: 45 minutes.
- Temperature (F): N/A
- Accessories: 18 included.
- Power cord length: 16 feet.
- Dimensions: 22 inches x 14 inches x 13.9 inches.
- Weight: 9 pounds.
- Power/Watts: 1500.
- Outlet/Volts:
- Warranty: Five-year warranty.
- Unique feature: Easy roll wheels.
What We Like
- ETL Certified.
- Large wheels make it easy to move.
- Budget-friendly.
- Large water reservoir.
- Lightweight model.
- Extra-long power cord.
- Three extension-wand lengths.
What We Don’t Like
- Brushes seem to wear out faster than some models.
- The handle can get hot while in use.
BISSELL Spotclean Auto Portable Cleaner for Carpet & Cars
This spot cleaner is specifically designed to remove stains on fabrics or carpets. The concept differs slightly from regular steamers. Warm water is placed in one of the two tanks (along with a cleaning solution) and then sprayed over the fabric.
It then vacuums the sprayed water, as well as any dirt, with a strong suction function. Water and spent cleaners are then passed to the empty tank where they’ll accumulate until emptied.
This car cleaner is small enough to be placed inside your car for easy use. The included brush heads and crevice tool allow you to reach the smallest, difficult-to-reach spots.
This device doesn’t produce steam, and the water needs to be added into the reservoir while it’s hot. The heatwave technology, however, will keep the water temperature constant throughout the cleaning process.
Features and Specifications
- Tank capacity: 37 ounces.
- Heat-up time: 3 to 5 minutes.
- Temperature (F): N/A
- Accessories: One included.
- Power cord length: 15 feet.
- Hose Length: 3 feet.
- Dimensions:4 inches x 10.9 inches x 14.4 inches.
- Weight:2 pounds.
- Outlet/Volts:
- Warranty: One-year warranty.
- Unique features: No steam produced, ideal for delicate materials. Vacuum functionality.
What We Like
- High-quality, flexible hose.
- Portable, lightweight.
- Fast heat-up time.
- Vacuum functionality.
- Constant water pressure.
- Includes a crevice tool.
- Removable water tanks for easy use.
What We Don’t Like
- Comes with only one attachment.
- Not adapted to clean large surfaces.
- Noisier than other models.
- Because this device doesn’t produce steam, it can leave the fabric wet or moist.
Hoover Spotless Portable Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner
This model takes spot cleaning to the next level and includes a unique cleaning port. When debris and dirt get stuck in the brush, no need to swipe or rinse the brush. Simply place the brush in the port to flush the dirt out.
Lightweight at less than nine pounds, its compact size makes it easy to transport and move around your vehicle. The clean water tank has an impressive capacity at 51 ounces.
This full package from Hoover comes with a sample of liquid cleaning product to pour into the clean water tank before spraying. Once sprayed, vacuum the area using the antimicrobial brushes.
Although this device doesn’t produce steam as other models do, it’s a convenient tool for a quick stain fix on the go.
Features and Specifications
- Tank capacity: 51 ounces (36-ounce dirty water tank).
- Accessories: Cleaning solution and a crevice tool.
- Power cord length: 14 feet.
- Hose Length: 5 feet.
- Dimensions:7 inches x 13.9 inches x 15 inches.
- Weight: Less than 9 pounds.
- Power/Watts: 420.
- Outlet/Volts: N/A
- Warranty: Two-year warranty.
- Unique feature: Self-cleaning hose technology.
What We Like
- Compact and portable.
- Built-in, self-cleaning port.
- Antimicrobial material.
- Lightweight.
- Comes with a sample of cleaning liquid.
- A crevice tool and an accessory bag are included.
What We Don’t Like
- Low heat output so chemical products are needed to kill germs and bacteria.
What Is a Steam Cleaner?
As the name suggests, these tools utilize heated steam to clean and sanitize surfaces and fabrics.
With your vacuum, you can collect any dust, sand, leaves, and debris. But all this dirt is just surface-level stuff. Vacuums have a limited impact when it comes to eliminating stains and bacteria.
Steamers, on the other hand, produce small vapor particles that can penetrate deep inside the surface of what you’re cleaning to force dirt and grease out. Because of the heat generated, steam cleaners leave very little moisture behind.
In fact, most steamers will produce heat over 212 degrees Fahrenheit, killing bacteria, mold, germs, and dust mites. This gives steamers not only the ability to sanitize your car but to remove unpleasant smells as well.
Benefits of Using a Steam Cleaner on Your Car
Above and beyond boosting your car’s potential resale value, steam cleaning has a few other benefits, too. These include:
Chemical-Free Cleaning
Liquid cleaning products often involve toxic chemicals, such as bleach or ammonia. They aren’t only troublesome for us to be exposed to, but they’re likely to hurt our little ones and potential furry friends as well.
Steam cleaners only use tap or distilled water to deep clean your car. They offer a safe method of cleaning that’s 100% free from harsh chemicals.
Natural Disinfection
Chemical-free doesn’t mean ineffective. Steam is also extremely efficient at killing germs and bacteria. It kills most viruses and removes mold and mildew.
Regular car cleaning can leave a large amount of moisture in the fabric, allowing mildew to develop and thrive. Steamers leave very little moisture behind, preventing its growth.
Deodorize Your Vehicle
Our cars can become a second home of sorts. We don’t only drive them, we eat, drink, carry groceries, and more inside. Spills and stains come with their own smells which tend to stick and settle inside the fabric and bacteria accumulate, creating undesirable smells.
Regular cleaning products and sprays don’t remove or kill all the bacteria. They often only cover up the bad odors, which resurface after a short time. Steam cleaning gets to the root of the problem and combats odors at the source.
Pest Control
Hate the idea of creepy crawlies inhabiting your car’s soft furnishings? You’re not alone. Luckily, steamers can also destroy insect infestations in cars such as bed bugs, dust mites, fleas, and their larvae.
Budget-Friendly Deep Cleaning
Steam cleaners certainly represent an investment, however, the best steam cleaners are sturdy and durable. With proper maintenance, a steamer should last you for years.
Also you won’t have to purchase paper towels, liquid chemical products or other tools, or separate products for leather, fabric, windows, and vinyl. This makes steamers a very cost-effective solution in the long run.
Environmentally Friendly
Cleaning products can end up in the local water table. From there they can then move into our rivers and oceans, harming wildlife and fish populations, or into our drinking water.
As steamers function with water only, they’re eco-friendly and don’t have a negative impact on our ecosystem.
Easy-to-Use
Even for the least experienced home detailers, steamers are one of the simplest tools to use. Simply fill the reservoir with distilled or tap water. Wait until the water warms up and you’re good to go.
You won’t need gloves, a mop, or a cloth, and there’s no dirty water to flush away either. Steamers do all the work for you and elbow grease won’t be necessary.
Multi-Purpose
Steam cleaners are universal, and if you purchase one for vehicle use initially, you’ll find that it will soon be put to use inside the house.
Sticky curtains because your kids ate chocolate biscuits then played hide and seek by the windows? Steam clean them.
What Can It Clean in Your Car?
Your new car steam cleaner can be put to work in more places in your car interior (and exterior) than you might imagine. Let’s take a look at what these handy tools can clean:
Carpets, Fabric, And Upholstery
Carpets and upholstery are often the first places to gather dirt, especially if you have kids. Think mud, food particles, winter salt stains, or pieces of gum dropped by your youngest, the soft surfaces are often the hardest to clean. Here’s how to use your steamer on these.
- Vacuum first to remove excess dust and dirt. This step will make your steamer more effective.
- Use your steamer’s triangular brush. Attach the bristled triangular fabric to remove more dirt, allowing the steam to penetrate deeper.
- Move your steamer slowly over all the carpets, but fast enough to avoid making the surface wet.
- When steaming the car seats or other fabrics, remove the bristle cover as it might cause the fabric to pill. Brush gently.
- After steaming all areas, vacuum again to remove any loosened dirt.
Steamers can also be used to clean other fabric elements inside your car, such as a child’s car seat or even seat covers.
Leather, Plastic, and Vinyl
Steamers can be used to wash other parts of your car such as the radio display, dashboard, steering wheel, and the gearshift. The best car steam cleaners often come with smaller attachments or a hose dedicated to this purpose.
To clean more delicate areas, such as leather, you’ll need a soft fabric or foam to avoid scratches. A microfiber cloth can also be used as its surface is very gentle while trapping dirt particles inside. Some steamers come with a cloth attachment to place around the triangular brush.
Steam doesn’t only clean leather, it also moisturizes and rejuvenates this delicate material.
Hard-To-Reach Places
Steamers are effective tools when it comes to washing areas that aren’t easily accessible. Cracks, wheels, door pockets, dash vents, crevices between seats, and even cup holders are a few examples.
- For this purpose, you’ll need a hose or crevice tool.
- Steam directly into the desired location.
- In tight spaces, moisture can accumulate. If the surface becomes wet, dry the area with a microfiber cloth.
- Vacuum the loosened dirt.
Headliner
Headliners don’t need to be cleaned as regularly as other parts of your car. They can, however, carry airborne bacteria and stains from physical contact. They’re also quite delicate and can hang or become loose if cleaned inappropriately.
- Use a non-abrasive attachment and cover it with a microfiber cloth.
- Pass your steamer quickly over the fabric. To avoid damaging the glue keeping the layers together, don’t stay too long in one specific area.
Car Windows
Steam cleaners are also effective at removing those pesky bug spots, tree sap, and bird droppings marring your windows.
The vapor softens the texture, making these notoriously hard-to-remove specks easier to clear away.
- Use the squeegee attachment or attach a microfiber cloth around the triangular brush or floor mop.
- Gently steam the window starting from the top and making your way down. If you’re steaming the windshield, proceed with horizontal lines over half of the surface, and then continue to the other half.
- To avoid carrying dirt over the window, swipe the squeegee edge after every line. If you’re using a cloth, turn it over when it gets too dirty.
In winter, avoid steaming cold or frozen windows as it may cause the glass to crack.
What to Look for When Buying a Steam Cleaner
Before rushing into a purchase, take a look at these considerations to make sure you get the right steamer for your needs.
Full-Size Vs. Handheld?
Each shows distinct benefits, consider what you’ll use your steamer for most of all, that will provide a good starting point. Here’s a little more information on each size:
Handheld models are the smallest available and most convenient to clean cars with. Lightweight and portable, they’re also more affordable than other types of steamers. When not in use, they take up little storage space. On the downside, the water tank capacity is smaller, and they aren’t designed to clean large surfaces. They also tend to be less powerful than other models.
Full-sized models come in three formats: mops, cylinder cleaners, and vapor cleaners.
- Steam Mops: These are able to clean large surfaces and floors. They’re designed mainly for this purpose. Although they’re often lightweight, they come with an upright handle which would make them very difficult to use inside a car. Although prices vary, they tend to be a little more expensive than handheld models.
- Cylinder: Also called canister steamers, these are larger than the two previous types as the water tank is bigger. They require more storage space, but you won’t have to refill the tank as often.
Cylinder steamers are powerful and efficient. They also come with several attachment pieces to clean different surfaces. They often include extension wands which can be added or removed according to the task at hand. This versatility comes at a price, as these devices are often more expensive than both mops and handheld steamers.
- Vapor: This type of steamer is similar to cylinder models in shape and features. It includes a ‘dry clean’ technique, making it the most high-end of steamers available. Vapor steamers only use a very small amount of water and leave very little moisture behind. While expensive, they’re worth the investment for deeper cleaning.
Wet/Dry Vacuum Cleaner Vs Steamers
Wet and dry vacuums aren’t technically steamers, as they don’t produce vapor. They are, however, considered a popular option among car owners.
These special vacuum cleaners are composed of two removable water tanks located on either side. A cleaning solution is added to the water tank to kill germs and bacteria.
Using the hose or a brush, the solution is sprayed on the fabric or surface needed. Some vacuum cleaners have the ability to keep the water warm, but won’t, however, bring the water to steam.
Switching to a vacuum mode, the device then sucks the water (along with the dirt), into the second (and empty) tank. These cleaners are often small in size and efficient but won’t produce the same type of heat as other, stream-producing models.
Portability
While cleaning your car, you’ll need to carry the machine from the house to your vehicle, and then around it several times. You’ll have to first determine if versatility, power, or portability is more important to you.
Handheld steamers are the lightest, smallest, and, overall, most mobile devices. They’re often not as efficient as other models, though, and you might need to refill the tank more often. For other types, strong wheels, a carry handle, and a long power cord (over 15 feet long) are needed to move the device around easily.
Capacity and Running Time
Cleaning, in general, is annoying enough. When you’re stopped in the middle of the process to refill the water tank, it can quickly become frustrating.
Don’t forget that refilling the water also means waiting to reheat it. You’ll need to wait for the steamer to cool down and then wait for the water to heat up again. This waiting time can add up to over 15 minutes before you can use your unit again.
Handheld steamers and mops often have smaller tanks but heat the water faster than other models. Vapor and cylinder steamers have larger tanks but if you run out of water, it will take longer to reheat. Most steamers give 45 to 50 minutes of continuous cleaning power. Water tank capacities range from less than 10 ounces to over 50 ounces.
If you’re washing your car regularly, or only specific surfaces at a time, smaller tanks might be sufficient. If you’re planning to clean your entire car and windows together at once, you might want to look for a large water tank. The larger the tank, the longer you’ll be able to clean without needing a refill.
Steam Power and Temperature
The cleaning ability of your device comes from the power and heat it produces.
To become steam, water needs to reach at least 212 degrees Fahrenheit, which will effectively kill germs and bacteria. The higher the temperature, the drier the steam and the higher the pressure will be. Hot vapor will leave the surface drier and cleaner.
Temperature is important, but consistency is key.
For a deep clean, it’s best to choose a model that can keep a constant temperature and pressure. The power is measured in watts and ranges between 400 to 1500. Steam pressure can also vary. Higher pressure will remove dirt faster. Steam power is measured in ‘pounds per square inch’, or ‘psi’. A psi over 40 is often considered good pressure.
Steam Vacuum
Steamers and vacuums work as a team. You’ll need the steamer to deep clean surfaces and a regular vacuum to remove bigger debris and as much loose dirt as possible. Switching from one device to another can be cumbersome and takes time. Steam vacuum models have both the ability to remove unwanted debris and steam-clean surfaces.
Replaceable Heating Element
When things go down, the heating element of a steamer is often the part needing to be replaced. If this cannot be replaced separately, you’ll need to purchase a brand-new device. Purchasing a steamer with a replaceable heating element makes your device more durable and extends its lifespan.
Accessories and Extra Features
Some devices combine two models in one steamer. You might find mops that are also handheld steamers. It’s important to pay attention to the attachments that come with the device, or can be purchased separately. Each attachment allows you to perform a different cleaning task.
Popular accessories to look for are brushes of different sizes and materials, a scrub pad, a squeegee to clean windows, a floor mop, and microfiber pads. Some models even come with extension wands, a carpet slider to use on delicate fabrics, and a wallpaper-removing tool.
Conclusion
Steam cleaners make great cleaning tools if you really want to wash stubborn dirt, remove bad smells, and kill nasty germs and bacteria in your car’s interior. They leave your car (or your home) sanitized, spotless and smelling great.
The best steam cleaner for cars will be portable, lightweight, and provide efficient deep cleaning. Personally, I’d opt for the McCulloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner. Featuring a large tank capacity, good water pressure, and scorching temperature, this steamer should remove even the toughest stains.
Which model is your favorite? Which one would best suit your needs? Please leave us your comments and feedback in the comments section below. We always take pleasure in responding to everyone.
