The Best Steam Cleaners for Cars
Looking for a more affordable and efficient way to clean the interior of your car in one go? Check out why owning your own steam cleaner is a game-changer.
Written by Elaine Duvet
Reviewed by Kathleen Flear
If you commute to work, use your vehicle to work, or do errands throughout the week—it's hard to
keep your car clean
. Professionally cleaning your car can add up, and not everyone has room in their budget to do so. With a car steam cleaner and a couple of attachments, you can get the job done yourself.
Benefits of steam cleaning your car
It’s not all about good looks, steam cleaning can eliminate trapped dirt under the upholstery and properly sanitize surfaces. It’s also a way to battle germs and allergens.
Car enthusiasts
love that steaming your car doesn’t require harsh chemicals or cleaning agents. And who has time to scrub down each surface in the vehicle by hand? It’s difficult to reach every crevice yourself without any type of small attachment. We’d rather opt for the most efficient method that won’t take up our entire Saturday.
Another bonus? You can also use your steam cleaner around the house. #winning.
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Buying a steam cleaner
Before purchasing your new appliance, check the heating time. You want a handheld steam cleaner that heats up fast. The quicker the water turns into steam, the faster you’ll be done cleaning your car.
If possible, find a cleaner that is easy to fit into your hand.
Lowes
recommends evaluating the ergonomics by checking “the location of the trigger and see whether or not it can be locked in the ‘on’ position for ease of use on big jobs.”The steam line and water tank capacity will also affect the convenience of your cleaning process. Ideally, you want a big enough tank that won’t require you to refill it multiple times when in use.
It’s also important to take note of all the accessories that may or may not be included. According to Lowes, “Just like your vacuum cleaner, steam cleaners tend to come with multiple accessories meant for cleaning various surfaces. Some include brushes for scrubbing or special attachments for cleaning tile grout, curtains, or window glass.”
Top steam cleaners on the market
Whether you’re looking online or in-store, there are plenty of steam cleaners to choose from.
The best overall steamer is the McCulloch MC1275 Heavy-Duty Steam Cleaner, which you can find for under $150. The cleaner is ultra sturdy and produces steam fast.
The Wagner Spraytech On-Demand Steam Cleaner lets you know when it’s ready to clean and comes with two different modes. It’s about $135 and includes 18 accessories and nozzles.
At around $40, the PurSteam Handheld Steam Cleaner is smaller, which is ideal for extra mobility around your car.
You can expect the 48-oz tank on all previously mentioned models to give you 45 minutes of optimal steam. They’ve all got high-quality large wheels and are super easy to roll around.
How to steam clean
First and foremost, “be sure to check the instructions that come with your cleaner, and follow any use and safety tips from the manufacturer,” Lowes tells us. Some cleaners are quite loud, so proper ear protection may be necessary.
Next, discard any trash and take out any removable mats that may be in the car or in the trunk. Also remove any loose kits like first aid, car seats, and even your snow brush.
It’s a good idea to vacuum with a compact handheld vacuum or a vacuum that has a handheld attachment to clean up leaves, pet hair, dirt, and the like. Lowes reminds us not to “forget to get underneath the seats (moving them forward and backward can help) and in the trunk or hatch.” While you’re at it, vacuum the tops of the cloth mats you removed as well.
Now it’s time to fill up the steam cleaner with water (according to the manufacturer's directions) and wait for it to heat up. Most models don’t have a very long power cord, so grab an extension cord suitable for your appliance and the outdoors.
Next, attach the cleaning brush to the steam cleaner and release steam by pressing the trigger as you attack the upholstery. It’s important to move at a swift pace, so your upholstery will stay dry. Some appliances come with a crevice tool that can come in handy with difficult corners and edges. Do the same on the
carpet
.If any new hair or dirt has been pulled up, go ahead and vacuum again. In order to clean leather and hard surfaces, Lowes recommends “Swap[ing] out the brush attachment on your steam cleaner for a softer attachment. This ensures you won't scratch leather or vinyl surfaces.”
A precision attachment is great for getting into tiny crevices like cup holders, knobs, air vents, door handles, and gear shifts. It’s also handy to have a microfiber cloth for hard surfaces, as it can absorb any extra water and take care of dust.
Some cleaners come with a window attachment that can be used the same way you would use a squeegee. You can use it to clean the inside and outside surfaces of your car windows.
And if your mats are rubber instead of cloth, go ahead and use the same method you used on vinyl and plastic surfaces.
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