Buying a steam cleaner: what should you pay attention to?

Do you want to buy a steam cleaner, but don't know which model best suits your situation? The range of steam cleaners is large. There are compact handheld steam cleaners, multifunctional 12-in-1 models and powerful steam cleaners for larger cleaning jobs. In addition, devices differ in steam pressure, temperature, power, water tank and accessories.

Making the right choice is therefore important. A steam cleaner that is mainly intended for small surfaces needs different properties than a device with which you want to clean floors, bathroom, kitchen and other large surfaces.

In this article you will read what to look out for when buying a steam cleaner, which specifications are important and which type of steam cleaner best suits your cleaning needs.

Why buy a steam cleaner?

A steam cleaner uses hot steam to loosen dirt and deposits. This allows you to perform many cleaning tasks without needing a different cleaning agent for each application.

A steam cleaner can be used for, among other things:

• bathroom and sanitary facilities;

• tiles and grout;

• kitchen surfaces;

• faucets and other suitable surfaces;

• windows;

• floors suitable for steam cleaning;

• gaps and hard-to-reach places;

• stubborn dirt and grease;

• various other hard surfaces.

An important advantage of a multifunctional steam cleaner is that you can perform multiple cleaning tasks with different attachments. That makes a steam cleaner appealing for households that want to use one versatile device.

What should you pay attention to when buying a steam cleaner?

Not every steam cleaner is the same. Before making a purchase, especially steam pressure, temperature, power, water tank, heat-up time, accessories and ease of use are important.

Below, we explain the most important points.

1. Look at the steam pressure in bar

Een van de belangrijkste specificaties wanneer je een stoomreiniger gaat kopen, is de stoomdruk. Deze wordt uitgedrukt in bar.

The steam pressure indicates the pressure at which the steam is blown out of the device. Higher pressure can help to loosen stubborn dirt more effectively.

As a general indication, you can take into account:

• 2 to 3 bar: especially suitable for light cleaning;

• 3 to 4 bar: suitable for regular household use;

• 4 bar or more: interesting for more intensive cleaning and stubborn dirt.

If you want to buy a powerful steam cleaner for various uses around the home, it is wise not only to look at the wattage, but also at the maximum working pressure.

A model such as the FLOWSTEAM 12-in-1 Handheld Steam Cleaner, for example, features a working pressure of 4 bar.

2. Check the maximum steam temperature

Besides the steam pressure, the steam temperature is also important.

Hot steam helps to loosen dirt, grease and grime. This can make cleaning, for example, kitchen surfaces, sanitary facilities and grout easier.

When comparing different steam cleaners, therefore pay attention to the maximum temperature that the device can reach.

A higher temperature does not mean, incidentally, that every surface is suitable for steam. Therefore always check the manufacturer's instructions for the surface you want to clean.

3. How many watts does a good steam cleaner need?

The power of a steam cleaner is indicated in watts. The wattage says something about the power with which the device heats water and produces steam.

However, a higher wattage does not automatically mean that you are buying a better steam cleaner. A good comparison looks at the complete package.

In addition to wattage, for example, pay attention to:

• steam pressure;

• temperature;

• constant steam output;

• warm-up time;

• water tank;

• usage time;

• accessories.

So it is better not to choose solely the steam cleaner with the highest wattage.

4. Choose the right water tank size

When you buy a steam cleaner, the size of the water tank is an important consideration.

A compact tank has the advantage that the device is often light and easy to handle. The downside is that you have to refill the tank more often.

A larger tank is especially useful when you want to clean for a longer period of time.

So think in advance about how you want to use the steam cleaner. For short, targeted cleaning jobs, a compact model can be excellent. If you want to clean several rooms one after another, a larger water tank is more practical.

5. Pay attention to the heat-up time

Nobody wants to wait for minutes before a device is ready to use.

The heat-up time of a steam cleaner determines how quickly you can start cleaning after filling the water tank.

A short warm-up time is especially useful when you use the steam cleaner regularly for small cleaning jobs. You can quickly grab the device without extensive preparation.

That's why, when comparing steam cleaners, you shouldn't only look at the cleaning power, but also at how quickly the device is ready to use.

6. What accessories do you get with it?

One of the biggest differences between steam cleaners lies in the accessories included.

A powerful steam cleaner with just one nozzle is less versatile than a multifunctional model with various attachments.

Depending on your needs, the following accessories may be of interest, for example:

• point nozzle;

• grout brush;

• round brushes;

• floor attachment;

• window squeegee;

• extension hose;

• wide cleaning brush;

• microfiber cloths.

Do you want to use one device for different rooms and surfaces? Then a multifunctional steam cleaner with accessories is an interesting choice.

The FLOWSTEAM 12-in-1 Hand Steamer , for example, comes with several attachments that let you tackle different cleaning tasks.

7. Hand steamer or larger steam cleaner?

When buying a steam cleaner, it is important to determine which type of device you need.

Handheld steam cleaner

A hand steamer is compact and easy to use for smaller surfaces.

This type is particularly suitable for:

• grout;

• faucets;

• kitchen;

• crevices;

• sanitary facilities;

• small surfaces;

• hard-to-reach places.

A hand steamer is especially handy when you want to quickly grab the device for a specific cleaning job.

Larger steam cleaner

Do you also want to clean larger surfaces, such as floors? Then a larger steam cleaner may be a better choice.

These devices often have a larger water tank and may come with a floor attachment or steam mop.

A larger steam cleaner is therefore more practical when you regularly want to clean larger parts of your home.

8. How long can you steam continuously?

Usage time is another important point to check before you buy a steam cleaner.

For example, a compact device with a small tank may be suitable for short cleaning tasks, while for larger jobs you need a device with a larger water tank.

So ask yourself:

Do I want to quickly clean a small surface, or do I want to clean for a longer period continuously?

For short cleaning sessions, a compact handheld steam cleaner is often sufficient. For larger cleaning tasks, a model with a larger water tank and longer operating time is more practical.

9. Is the steam cleaner easy to use?

Ease of use also plays an important role.

A steam cleaner can be technically very powerful, but if the device is heavy or unwieldy, it may be less pleasant to use regularly.

Therefore, pay attention to things such as:

• weight;

• handle;

• cord length;

• range;

• attachments;

• operation;

• storage convenience;

• filling and emptying the water tank.

A good steam cleaner should not only be powerful, but also practical for everyday use.

10. Which surfaces do you want to clean?

The best steam cleaner doesn't actually exist for everyone. The right choice depends on what you want to clean with it.

Do you mainly want to clean bathroom and grout ? Then especially look at steam pressure and a good grout nozzle.

Do you want to clean the kitchen ? Then a powerful steam jet and various small brushes are interesting.

Do you want to clean floors ? Then a suitable floor attachment is important.

Do you want to perform as many different cleaning tasks as possible with one device? Then a multifunctional steam cleaner with multiple accessories is probably the most interesting choice.

Always check whether the specific surface is suitable for steam cleaning.

Which steam cleaner suits you?

A handy way to compare the different options is to first determine your own usage situation.

Buying a steam cleaner: cheap or powerful?

When buying a steam cleaner, the cheapest option is not always the best choice.

A cheap model can be appealing when you only occasionally do a small cleaning job. However, if you use the steam cleaner regularly and for various applications, investing in a more powerful and versatile model may be wiser.

So focus mainly on the price-performance ratio.

For example, a steam cleaner with multiple accessories can replace several devices. As a result, a slightly more expensive model can ultimately be a practical and cost-effective choice.

Common mistakes when buying a steam cleaner

There are a number of mistakes you can easily avoid.

Only looking at the wattage

More watts does not automatically mean better performance. Look at the overall picture of pressure, temperature, steam production and accessories.

Only looking at the price

The cheapest steam cleaner does not necessarily have the best price-quality ratio.

Choosing a water tank that is too small

When you want to clean larger surfaces, a small tank can be frustrating because you have to refill regularly.

Underestimating accessories

The right attachment can make a big difference. That's why you should always check which accessories are included.

Buying a steam cleaner that is too powerful

More power is not always necessary. For small cleaning tasks, a compact handheld steam cleaner can actually be more practical.

Checklist for buying a steam cleaner

Are you planning to buy a steam cleaner soon? Then use this checklist:

• Which surfaces do I want to clean?

• Do I need a handheld steam cleaner or a larger model?

• How many bar does the device have?

• What maximum steam temperature is reached?

• How many watts does the steam cleaner have?

• How large is the water tank?

• How quickly does the device reach temperature?

• How long can I steam continuously?

• Which accessories are included?

• Is the device easy to use?

• Does the model suit my cleaning needs?

• Does the device offer good value for money?

Conclusion: which steam cleaner should you buy?

When you want to buy a steam cleaner, it's important to look beyond just the price or the wattage. The best choice depends on what you want to use the device for.

Pay particular attention to steam pressure, steam temperature, power, water tank, heat-up time, usage duration and accessories. For small cleaning tasks, a compact handheld steam cleaner may be sufficient. If you want to clean larger surfaces or different rooms, a more powerful and versatile model is a better choice.

A multifunctional steam cleaner can also be a practical solution when you want to use one device for the bathroom, kitchen, floors, grout and other suitable surfaces.

Ready to buy a steam cleaner?

Do you want powerful, versatile and efficient cleaning? Then take a look at FLOWSTEAM's range and discover which steam cleaner best suits your needs. From compact handheld steam cleaners to powerful multifunctional models: FLOWSTEAM has a solution for various cleaning tasks.

Check out the best steam cleaners from FLOWSTEAM and choose your ideal steam cleaner today.