Steam cleaners use heat and moisture instead of harsh chemicals. A steam cleaner pushes pressurized steam into a surface, and some stains that ignore regular cleaners will come clean this way. That makes steam a useful tool for certain jobs, but it is far from a cure-all for every mess.
The right answer depends on the surface and the stain. Steam can help with grout and sealed hard floors, but it can set other stains for good. Urine on carpet or upholstery is the one to avoid, because the heat bonds the stain and odor into the fibers.
5 steps
Step by step
- 1
Confirm the Surface
Make sure the floor is a sealed hard surface such as ceramic tile, vinyl, laminate, marble, stone or sealed hardwood. Never steam unsealed wood. Read the flooring maker's care instructions before you start.
- 2
Test an Inconspicuous Area
Pick a hidden spot and test steam there first. Check the surface for any change before you steam the visible area.
- 3
Try Steam on Grout
For grout, use steam only after conventional cleaners have not worked. Steam can lift some stains that regular cleaners miss, so it is worth a try on grime that has resisted cleaning.
- 4
Rinse Between Products
Use one product at a time and rinse in between. Never put bacteria- or enzyme-based cleaners in a steam cleaner.
- 5
Skip Steam for Urine
Do not steam urine spots on carpet or upholstery. The heat sets the stain and the smell, so use a different method for pet accidents.
Where Steam Works Best
Steam is most useful on sealed surfaces where ordinary cleaners fall short. The TCNA notes that some stains that do not respond to conventional cleaners will come clean when subjected to pressurized steam.
Grout is the clearest case, so try steam there if conventional cleaners have not worked. Steam mops are made for sealed hard floors such as ceramic tile, vinyl, laminate, marble, stone and sealed hardwood.
Where Steam Can Do Damage
Steam can damage several materials. The NWFA says not to use wet mops or steam mops on wood, because they will damage the finish or even the wood over time.
Unsealed wood floors are off limits, and the steam mop maker says so too. Waxed floors may lose their glossiness, and a vinyl flooring maker discourages heat and moisture on vinyl sheet flooring. Pearls should never go in a steam cleaner, because high heat can burn, discolor or crack them.
Upholstery, Carpet and Pet Stains
Steam is the wrong tool for urine on carpet or upholstery. Humane World notes that the heat permanently sets the stain and the odor by bonding the protein into man-made fibers.
The Carpet and Rug Institute says the same thing, so skip steam for pet accidents. Upholstery marked with cleaning code W or SW should not be steamed either, because two furniture makers say hot water extraction or steam cleaning is not recommended for those codes.
Common Myths About Steam
A common belief is that steam is the best way to get pet urine out of carpet. The Carpet and Rug Institute and Humane World both say not to steam urine spots, because heat sets the stain and the smell.
Another myth is that steam mops are safe on any sealed floor. One steam mop maker lists sealed hardwood as suitable, but NWFA says to keep steam mops off wood floors. Check the floor maker's instructions before you steam anything.
What Never to Mix With Steam
Only put a product in a steam cleaner if its maker approves it. A maker of bacteria- or enzyme-based cleaners advises against using them in a steam cleaner.
The high heat kills the biological ingredients, which makes the product ineffective. Use one product at a time, and rinse in between each one.
How to Test Before You Steam
Always test in an inconspicuous area first, or check the flooring maker's care instructions. Look at the spot before you move on to the rest of the surface.
Vinyl sheet flooring has its own catch, because the vinyl maker's warranty will not pay for steam-mop damage. Read the warranty before you steam, so you know where you stand.
Questions
Does steam cleaning remove stains?
Sometimes. The TCNA says some stains that do not respond to conventional cleaners will come clean under pressurized steam, and grout is one example. Steam is not a general stain remover, though, and it can make other stains worse.
Can a steam cleaner get urine out of carpet?
No. Steam sets urine stains and the odor, because the heat bonds the protein into man-made fibers. The Carpet and Rug Institute and Humane World both advise against steaming urine spots, so use a different method for pet accidents.
Is it safe to steam hardwood floors?
Not if you trust NWFA, which says not to use wet mops or steam mops on wood because they damage the finish or even the wood over time. One steam mop maker lists sealed hardwood as suitable, but the safer rule is NWFA's. Check your floor maker's instructions before you steam any wood.
Can I use a steam mop on vinyl?
Be careful. A vinyl flooring maker discourages heat and moisture on vinyl sheet flooring because they may damage the floor. That warranty will not pay for steam-mop damage, so read it before you steam.
Can you steam clean upholstery?
Not if the cleaning code is W or SW. Two furniture makers say hot water extraction or steam cleaning is not recommended for those codes. Check the cleaning code on the tag before you try steam.
Can you steam clean pearls?
No. GIA says pearls should never be cleaned in an ultrasonic or steam cleaner. High heat can burn, discolor or crack them.
Can I put cleaner in my steam cleaner?
Only if the product maker says so. A maker of bacteria- or enzyme-based cleaners advises against putting them in a steam cleaner, because the high heat kills the biological ingredients. Use one product at a time and rinse in between.
Can you use steam on waxed floors?
Be cautious. A steam mop maker says steam may leave waxed floors with diminished glossiness. Check the floor maker's instructions and test a hidden spot first.
Related guides
Other household cleaners
Sources
Every verdict, amount and warning here comes from these sources.