There are a lot of attachments to keep track of. Here are the best steam mops, according to our testing. “You can remove up to 99 percent of germs using a steam cleaner with a reusable microfiber cloth.” McCoy says steam mops can both clean and sanitize floors using water alone: “These handy appliances don't rely on typical cleaning solutions to kill germs, but instead, use water to steam-sanitize your floors and sealed surfaces,” says McCoy. For expert insight, we tapped Gary McCoy, Lowe’s store manager serving the Charlotte, North Carolina market. ![]() ![]() We also considered factors such as cord length, weight, and steam output. To find the best steam mops, we tested 27 popular models in our Lab and evaluated each on its ease of use, effectiveness, portability, ease of cleaning, maneuverability, and value. Plus, no mop bucket or hands-and-knees scrubbing is required-what more you could ask for? These appliances can remove stains, get rid of grime, and deep clean your floors with little effort on your part. ![]() (It’s the best-selling steam carpet cleaner on the Strategist overall.A steam mop is an effective tool for killing germs and bacteria without using harsh chemicals. It’s an especially good model for pet owners - Woods reports the Bissell Pro Heat permanently banished a dog-vomit stain that would “rise like a phoenix again and again” - and it’s also one of the best-rated models on Amazon, with over 19,000 five-star reviews. Strategist contributor Stacey Dee Woods says that “buying the Bissell Proheat 2x Lift Off was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made” and that she she “marveled as stream after black stream of dirty liquid bloomed in the canister like so much squid ink.” The ProHeat Pet Pro model is a great, fits-everyone option - powerful enough to clean entire carpets, but not so heavy duty that it can’t be stored in a city closet. Steam cleaners also have more applications than a carpet cleaner - they can be used to deep-clean bathroom tile, grout, ovens, and more.Ĭleaning method: Carpet cleaner with heat | Power: 6.8 amps | Tank capacity: One gallon | Weight: 18 poundsĪmong the experts we spoke to, the American vacuum company Bissell came up most frequently as the maker of solid, reliable carpet cleaners. It’s helpful if someone in your household has environmental allergies: “It removers odors and freshens up without chemicals but also kills dust mites and allergens, so it’s a great thing for people with severe allergies,” Dulude says. Steam cleaning takes less time to dry, is chemical free, and doesn’t leave a scent. Kadi Dulude, owner of Wizard of Homes, says a carpet cleaner will produce “way more clear and visible” results on a “very dirty or smelly rug.” The rug will need time to dry after cleaning (she recommends opening windows or running fans), and “in most cases, the carpets look and feel brand new.” One way to think about it is the difference between throwing a piece of clothing in the washing machine and using a garment steamer - washing will do more to remove dirt, and steaming will refresh and remove odors. This list includes both carpet cleaners, which use a motor and suction to circulate a cleaning solution through textile fibers, and steam cleaners, which use only water heated past boiling. Overcleaning may dry out or weaken carpet fibers, which makes them more permeable to dirt and staining. “It’s like overcleaning your hair or skin,” says Sabrina Fierman, president of cleaning service New York’s Little Elves. It’s also important to avoid the temptation to overclean: hold off until there’s staining or embedded grit, and use a vacuum in the interim. Deep cleaning will keep a rug in good shape for longer, and there are other benefits, like removing allergens and odors. (More on the distinction below.)Īccording to Paul Iskyan, president of ABC Rug & Carpet Cleaning Service, you should be deep-cleaning your carpets and rugs every couple of years, especially if they’re in a high-traffic area. Although these appliances often get grouped together, they lift stains using different methods: carpet cleaners use water and a specialized cleaning liquid to effectively shampoo textiles, often assisted by heat steam cleaners use only water heated past boiling point and can be used on other materials in addition to textiles, such as tile or metal. That’s where carpet cleaners and steam cleaners come in. While a good vacuum cleaner can get rid of a lot of the dust and dirt that gets trapped in your carpet fibers, there are messes - spilled food, pet accidents, muddy footprints, plus the embedded grit that collects over time - that require a more intensive clean.
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