Buying Guides
Steam Cleaner Buying Guide
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HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT CLEANING APPLIANCES
Looking for handy appliances that will help to keep your home looking spick and span? With the right cleaning appliances, you’ll find cleaning the carpets, floors and surfaces in your home a breeze. Before you start adding cleaning products to your cart, learn more about what hard floor cleaners and deep cleaners can do, and the top features you should be keeping an eye out for.
HARD FLOOR CLEANERS
Harnessing the power of steam, hard floor cleaners make it easy to clean your home without the need for harsh chemicals. Cleaners are often easy to use, with a variety of models, from handheld steam cleaners to cylinder steam cleaners, suited to many different applications.
Transforms water into steam, allowing you to clean, sanitise and deodorise surfaces without the need for additional cleaning supplies
Several types available, including steam mops, handheld steam cleaners and cylinder steam cleaners
Generally quite easy to use
Tend to be more environmentally friendly than other cleaning solutions
Can be used to clean a variety of surfaces, including floorboards, upholstery, carpet and more
Popular brands of hard floor cleaners include: Bissell, Shark
DEEP CLEANERS
A great appliance to have on hand when you’re wanting to get your carpet looking as good as new, deep cleaners make it easy to deep cleanse the carpet in your home. Remove dirt, stains and odours with ease using this handy appliance.
Use water, detergent and suction to deep clean carpet
Great for removing stains, dirt and odours from carpet
Several types available, including upright shampooers and spot cleaners
Generally quite easy to use
Can be used to clean carpets, with some models also allowing you to clean upholstery, textiles and other items
Popular brands of carpet cleaners include: Bissell and Shark
TYPES OF STEAM CLEANERS
Steam mops
Working in much the same way as a standard mop, steam mops produce a stream of steam that helps to loosen grime and leave floors fresh and clean
Great for cleaning hard surfaces including vinyl and hardwood floors
Easy to use
Typically lighter than a cylinder steam cleaner
Some models can be converted into handheld steam cleaners
Best suited to smaller cleaning tasks
Have quite small water tanks, requiring repeated refilling for larger cleaning jobs
Handheld steam cleaners
Ideal for smaller tasks, handheld steam cleaners make it easier to give surfaces a quick clean, refresh textiles and tackle a variety of cleaning tasks around the home.
Quite versatile and able to be used for a variety of cleaning tasks
Easy to use
Generally quite lightweight
Very portable and easy to store
Best suited to smaller cleaning tasks
Have quite small water tanks, requiring repeated refilling for larger cleaning jobs
Cylinder steam cleaners
Perfect for deep cleaning, cylinder steam cleaners can be a great option when you need to clean a larger area more intensively. They can be used for a variety of applications, making them a good addition to any home cleaning arsenal.
Great for sanitising and cleaning floors, carpets and upholstery
Many models come with several attachments and accessories offering greater versatility
Have decently sized water tanks, making them better suited for larger cleaning tasks
Tend to be larger and heavier than steam mops and handheld steam cleaners
Can take longer to heat up than smaller steamers
Upright shampooers
Also known as upright carpet cleaners, upright shampooers are the most popular type of carpet cleaner on the market, allowing users to enjoy professional carpet cleaning results at home. They are great for refreshing carpet, removing stains and eliminating odours.
Best suited to cleaning larger areas
Most popular type of carpet cleaner on the market
Vary in size, weight and water tank capacity
Some models come with attachments that allow the appliance to be used for more than just carpet cleaning
Typically larger and heavier than spot cleaners
Can be very noisy
Spot cleaners
Designed to target small stains with relative ease, spot cleaners, also known as portable carpet shampooers, are a handy appliance to have on hand. Although they may not be suited to cleaning larger areas, their compact size makes them a great alternative to standard cleaner models in some situations.
Typically quite compact, although a variety of capacities are available
Lighter than standard carpet cleaners
Can be useful for cleaning car interiors, stairs and areas that may be harder to reach with a standard carpet cleaner
Water tanks are generally much smaller than those found on standard carpet cleaners
Are only suited to small scale cleaning tasks
STEAM CLEANERS
Attachments and accessories. Steam cleaners can be quite versatile appliances with the right attachments. Although included attachments and accessories do vary from model to model, some common inclusions are cleaning pads, carpet gliders, scrubbing brushes, nozzles and squeegees. If you have a particular application in mind, be sure to check that your chosen model has the right attachments and accessories to allow you to get the job done.
Water tank capacity. The size of the water tank helps to dictate how long you can use your steam cleaner without needing to refill. Models with larger tanks can be used for longer periods than those with smaller capacities. If convenience is important to you, however, you may want to consider a smaller tank as they tend to heat up faster.
Heat-up time. Steam cleaner heat-up times can vary greatly from model to model, lasting anywhere from 30 seconds to many minutes. If you’d like to be able to use your steam cleaner without having to wait an extended period of time, look for a model with a short heat-up time.
Telescopic wand. Making it easy to adjust the length of the wand, telescopic wands help to ensure that you don’t need to bend over unnecessarily.
Steam output and pressure levels. Greater steam output and higher pressure levels can help to make cleaning easier. Look for models that produce 100 grams of steam per minute or more, and have high pressure settings. If you’re planning to use your appliance on a variety of floor types, a steam cleaner with a variable steam output may also be worth considering.
Automatic overheat shut-off. As steam cleaners produce high levels of heat, an automatic overheat shut-off allows for safer use, automatically switching off the appliance once temperatures become too hot for safe operation.
Size and weight. The size and weight of steam cleaners can vary greatly depending on the make and model you choose. Lighter models may be easier to use for extended periods of time, while heavier models tend to have larger water tanks. Whichever model you choose, be sure to check that it’s light enough for you to lift and use comfortably.
Power cord. To allow for ease of use, look for a model with a power cord that’s long enough to allow you to manoeuvre around your home. If the power cord is too short, you may not be able to reach all the corners of each room.
Steam-on lock switch. Helpful while cleaning, steam-on lock switches allow a continuous flow of steam to be produced, removing the need to hold a button while cleaning.
Child safety locks. Great for ensuring the safety of the children you share your home with, child safety locks prevent the appliance from being accidentally switched on.
CARPET CLEANERS
Attachments and accessories. Although carpet cleaners are typically used to clean carpets, various attachments and accessories allow the appliances to be used for other purposes, such as cleaning upholstery, timber flooring and furniture. If you’re wanting to use your carpet cleaner for applications other than just cleaning carpet, ensure that right attachments and accessories are included with the appliance or are available to purchase.
Water tank capacity. Although larger water tanks may be heavier to carry, they allow you to clean a greater area of carpet without needing to refill the tank as often. If you plan on cleaning large areas, look for models with higher capacity water tanks. If your appliance will be used for spot cleaning only, the water tank capacity won't be quite as important.
Size and weight. Carpet cleaners can be heavy and bulky even before the water tank is filled. Before you settle on a specific make or model, ensure that you can easily carry the models you’re considering, especially if your home has stairs. Some models can be quite large too, so be sure to check that you have adequate storage space.
Head width. The width of a carpet cleaner’s head can make it faster or slower to clean a room. If you’re wanting to clean your home more efficiently, look for a model with a wider head.
Noise. Carpet cleaners of all sizes and shapes tend to be quite loud. Consider purchasing adequate hearing protection to help prevent unwanted damage to your ears.
Power cord. To allow for ease of use, look for a model with a power cord that’s long enough to allow you to manoeuvre around your home. If the power cord is too short, you may not be able to reach all corners of the room.
Still not sure which floorcare option is right for you? Check out our helpful Vacuum Cleaner Buying Guide which will give you all the information you need to find the perfect floorcare option for your home.
At Bing Lee, we offer a premium selection of hard floor cleaners and steam mops from top brands like Bissell & Shark. Our range includes high-performance models designed to tackle tough dirt and grime, sanitise surfaces, and provide a chemical-free cleaning solution. Whether you need a versatile steam cleaner for various surfaces or a powerful steam mop for sparkling floors, Bing Lee has the best options to keep your home spotless. Explore our top models and experience the superior cleaning power of steam.
Q: What is the best steam cleaner in Australia?
The Bissell PowerFresh Slim Steam Mop is a top choice in Australia, known for its powerful steam, versatility, and ability to tackle a variety of surfaces with ease.
Q: What is the best steam mop for tiles?
For tiles, the Bissell Revolution HydroSteam Cleaner is highly recommended. It delivers deep cleaning power to remove stubborn dirt and grime, leaving your tiles sparkling clean.
Q: What is the best bathroom steam cleaner?
The Shark Steam Mop excels in bathroom cleaning, with a detachable handheld steamer that makes it perfect for tackling tiles, grout, and bathroom fixtures.
Q: What is the best steam cleaner for mattresses?
The Bissell SpotClean Portable & Upholstery Carpet Washer is ideal for cleaning mattresses. Its powerful steam and specialised attachments effectively remove dust mites, allergens, and stains, ensuring a hygienic sleep environment.
Q: What is the best steam cleaner for grout?
The Bissell CrossWave HydroSteam Cleaner is perfect for grout cleaning. Its concentrated steam jet and brush attachments effortlessly lift grime from grout lines, restoring their original colour.
Q: What is the difference between a steam mop and a normal mop?
A steam mop uses heated water to produce steam, which sanitises and cleans surfaces without chemicals, making it more effective at removing dirt and killing germs. A normal mop relies on water and cleaning solutions, which may not provide the same level of deep cleaning.
Q: What can you put in a steam mop to make it smell nice?
For a pleasant scent, you can add a few drops of essential oils to the water tank of your steam mop. However, always check the manufacturer's instructions to ensure this won't damage the appliance.
Q: How to use a steam cleaner?
To use a steam cleaner, fill the tank with water, turn on the machine, and allow it to heat up. Attach the appropriate nozzle or brush for the surface you’re cleaning, and then glide the steam cleaner over the area, allowing the steam to loosen dirt and kill germs.
Q: How to use a steam mop?
Fill the steam mop’s water tank and plug it in to heat up. Once ready, attach the cleaning pad and select the appropriate steam setting. Glide the mop over your floors in a slow, steady motion, allowing the steam to sanitise and clean effectively. For stubborn spots, hold the mop over the area for a few seconds to loosen the dirt.