The Best Steam Cleaners for Every Surface in Your Home

Giving your home's surfaces a deep clean is more important now than ever before, as the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. For many homeowners, investing in a steam cleaner has helped them get this critical job done. And while large, professional-grade iterations, which can be rented by the hour or run through your home by an expert, are perfect for those once-a-year sweeps, these days you may be looking to clean and disinfect more frequently—and you might be wary about non-immediate family members operating freely throughout your house.

Purchasing a steam cleaner for personal use can help you achieve that deep-level clean at home, and all on your own. But here's the thing: While the CDC does recognize steam cleaning as an effective sterilization method, the jury's still out on whether in-home devices can produce medical- or professional-grade results. But think of it this way—steam cleaning is a good first step. Follow up a steam session with a tried-and-true disinfectant, and your home is that much safer overall. These appliances are useful beyond the context of the pandemic, as well: Not only can they help you achieve a sanitized surface, but they can also help lift pet hair and eliminate stubborn grime.

When shopping for a steam cleaner, consider the following factors: Decide exactly how you want to use it, determine the amount of storage space it will take up, and then choose whether or not you want a multi-purpose model—most steam cleaners can pull double- or triple-duty and treat a myriad of your home's surfaces, from textiles and wood floors to carpeting. There are handheld tools on the market, as well; these help you hit hard-to-reach nooks and crannies, like the space behind toilets or underneath cabinets. Bigger models, on the other hand, will tackle larger surface areas (think the floor of your grand living room) with ease. Ahead, you'll find a list of steam cleaners that hit all of the aforementioned categories—some are better geared for your floors, others your windows, and in some cases, everything in between.