By: Carol Benton | Updated at 1:30 PM, April 29, 2021

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Steam cleaners use pressurized steam from hot water to clean soft and hard surfaces. This method requires zero cleaning solutions and chemicals, making it the preferred cleaning procedure for many health-conscious users as well as sensitive or allergic users. Steam cleaning removes dirt and grime from upholstery and other materials, while killing bacteria, bacteria and pathogens, leaving a fresh and deodorizing surface. In addition to cleaning upholstery, steam cleaners can also disinfect sealed floors, windows, tiles, and other indoor and outdoor applications. Read on to learn about the best upholstery steam cleaner for your home.

Before buying an upholstery steam cleaner, you must consider your needs. Manufacturers provide various types, sizes, tank capacities, accessories and accessories, each with its own advantages and best uses. When you are looking for an upholstery steam cleaner that best suits your purpose, understand the features that may affect your selection process.

Steam cleaners suitable for upholstery materials are versatile and can take on many other cleaning tasks around the house. Depending on the type, steam cleaners can treat dirt, grime and dirt on soft and hard surfaces indoors and outdoors. Below is an overview of the types of steam cleaners available on the market and information on how they clean upholstery.

Consider how you plan to use a steam cleaner to determine the ideal size and weight. Larger and heavier models provide heavy-duty cleaning and extensive cleaning capabilities, while small and light devices have the advantages of portability and quick cleaning and convenience.

For example, tank models are much larger and heavier than hand-held steam cleaners, but they have the advantage of a large-capacity water tank that can provide continuous steam for any time between 30 and 90 minutes. On the other hand, a small hand-held steam engine weighs much less than a tank or vacuum steam engine, but it has less water content and only generates steam for a few minutes before it needs to be refilled.

Most steam cleaners operate on a wired power supply from a standard household outlet. The power supply heats the water in the cleaner's water tank to above 212 degrees Fahrenheit. After the steam is generated, the pressurized steam is forced through the hose or nozzle to provide a powerful cleaning effect for the household surface.

Some steam cleaners include extra-long power cords to enhance operability, allowing users to enter hard-to-reach places throughout the home for cleaning and disinfection.

Although not as common as corded models, cordless steam cleaners work with rechargeable batteries (usually 18 volt lithium-ion batteries) to provide additional convenience and portability.

For most steam cleaners, battery runtime is not a problem, because wired power is the main power source. For the few cordless steam cleaners on the market, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries provide power. A fully charged battery provides approximately 20 minutes of wireless runtime for the steam cleaner.

For corded electric steam cleaners, the operating time is related to the amount of water in the water tank. The larger water tank in the tank model may generate steam, which can last up to 90 minutes. Alternatively, the small water tank in the lightweight hand-held steam cleaner can generate enough steam for an operating time of approximately 8 to 10 minutes. Of course, for continuous cleaning, the tank can be refilled as often as necessary.

Heating time is another characteristic that needs to be considered. Depending on the volume of the water tank and the power of the heating element, the heating time varies from approximately 30 seconds to 12 minutes. Faster heating time means that water is converted into steam faster, allowing users to go directly to the task at hand.

In the process of choosing the best steam cleaner for interior decoration, shoppers may also need to consider their needs for a steam engine that can perform other cleaning tasks. Many steam cleaners provide versatility with low, medium, and high steam pressure settings. The user can adjust the settings to facilitate cleaning various surfaces and complete light refreshing work or stubbornly remove adhered dirt, dirt and stains.

Low to medium steam pressure is required to clean the interior, depending on the type of fabric and the degree of soiling. Delicate decorative fabrics should be steam cleaned at the lowest steam setting. Thicker, more durable fabrics can withstand medium steam settings, especially if stubborn stains and sticking dirt make cleaning a challenge. Some steam cleaner manufacturers recommend using it for leather upholstery, but users should check the manufacturer's information before using the steam cleaner on leather furniture.

Alternatively, the user can adjust the steam pressure setting to medium or high to clean hard surfaces. High-pressure steam is suitable for ceramic tiles, grouting, granite, stainless steel and sealed floors. Keep in mind that using a high pressure setting will cause the steam to run out more quickly, requiring the tank to be refilled.

Each steam cleaner contains a water tank with heating elements that can heat water to above 212 degrees Fahrenheit to generate steam. Hand-held devices include a water tank that can generally hold about 6 to 8 ounces of water for steam generation. They are lightweight and easy to handle, but they only produce steam for about 8 to 10 minutes before the small water tank dries up. Hand-held steam cleaners are ideal for quick trimming and simple daily cleaning tasks.

On the other hand, users sometimes need to deal with cleaning tasks that require prolonged steam generation time. For these tasks, a large steam cleaner with a higher water tank capacity can meet the requirements.

Canister or cylinder type steam cleaners have larger water tanks, usually holding about 40 to 54 ounces of water. These types of steam cleaners generate steam by heating a large amount of water, and can provide up to 90 minutes of continuous steam to extend the cleaning time.

When steam cleaning upholstery, the user must manipulate the steam release device above and below the curved surface of the furniture, as well as in cracks and crevices. For this reason, a steam cleaner with a long power cord and an extension hose with easy-to-fix nozzles make the job easier. Mobility is a particularly valuable feature for entering the vehicle to clean the interior of the car, which tends to accumulate dirt and debris.

Some steam cleaners provide power cords up to 18 feet long and steam hoses up to 8 feet long. Through these functions, users can direct steam to hard-to-reach places to accurately locate dirt and grime.

A canister or cylinder steam cleaner with a long extension hose allows users to enter corners and crevices. Alternatively, a lightweight hand-held steam engine with a long power cord can provide close range and targeted cleaning capabilities.

Many steam cleaners include accessories to facilitate cleaning of various objects and materials. Some common accessories include steam hoses, straight nozzles, angled nozzles, metal brushes, nylon brushes, window squeegees, mop pads and scrapers.

For steam cleaning interiors, nylon brushes, steam hoses, and angled nozzles are particularly effective, allowing users to manipulate steam above, below, and around curved surfaces.

Shoppers looking for a steam cleaner that can complete a series of cleaning tasks should pay attention to which accessories (if any) are included in each available steam cleaner.

The following products are some of the best products on the market for steam cleaning upholstered furniture. These steam cleaners were chosen for their design, water tank capacity, power options, accessories, and versatility to keep upholstered furniture fresh and clean.

Health-conscious users who avoid the use of harsh chemicals for cleaning will appreciate that this multi-functional steam cleaner can handle stains, odors, dirt and stains on various surfaces including upholstery, using only ordinary tap water That's it.

Use this multifunctional steam cleaner as a floor mop, and then quickly convert it into a hand-held steam engine with hose and brush attachments for cleaning fabric and leather interiors and clothes. Remove the hose and the handheld device sprays steam directly onto the surface for cleaning and disinfection.

For safety and peace of mind, steam will only escape when the user activates the smart switch and touch sensor. Both functions can prevent accidental release of steam.

The Light'n' Easy steam cleaner is 46.4 inches high, 11.8 inches wide, 6.8 deep, and weighs 6.3 pounds in its fully assembled floor mop configuration.

This hand-held steam engine from Bissell is affordable and can clean many surfaces in the home, including interior decoration. An easy-to-press trigger activates the release of high-pressure steam, which can eliminate 99% of household bacteria and bacteria. In addition, the effect of high-pressure steam can achieve 100% chemical-free cleaning, ensuring the surface safety of pets and children.

A 6.6-ounce water tank provides sufficient capacity to complete small cleaning tasks before refilling. The water can be heated in just 30 seconds, allowing users to directly perform daily cleaning tasks. This small handheld steam cleaner measures 5 inches x 9.5 inches x 8.5 inches and weighs only 3.83 pounds. The attached accessory kit includes a nozzle, a flat scraping tool, a grout brush, an angle concentrator and three color-coded brushes.

Use Wagner Spraytech's AutoRight steamer to keep the car interior clean and odor-free, so you can have more fun in driving. This steam cleaner is ideal for disinfecting car interiors, floor mats, dashboards and other surfaces.

This steamer has a tank design and includes an 8-foot-long steam hose for access to hard-to-reach places, and 11 accessories, including multiple nozzles and brushes. The built-in handle facilitates the portability of the 9.75-pound device.

The water tank can hold up to 40 ounces of distilled water (not ordinary tap water). A 1500 watt heating element heats the water to 290 degrees Fahrenheit with a maximum steam pressure of 55 pounds per square inch (psi). When the water tank is full, the machine can provide users with continuous steam cleaning for 35 to 45 minutes.

This steam cleaning device from Bissell was designed with versatility in mind. In a fully assembled form, it can be used as a heavy-duty floor mop. Alternatively, users can remove the canister and unfold it with extension hoses and accessories for steam cleaning upholstery, pet beds, bathroom and kitchen fixtures, and various other surfaces.

The included kit can hold 13 accessories for various cleaning applications. The attached fabric steamer attachment works particularly well with the handheld part of this steam cleaner for cleaning, deodorizing and disinfecting upholstery.

The water in a 12-ounce water tank heats up in just 30 seconds, and the steam produced can kill up to 99.9% of bacteria. The 25-foot power cord helps steam clean, even in the most difficult-to-reach places. This steam mop measures 13.2 inches x 11.4 inches x 44.7 inches and weighs 10.6 pounds.

Thanks to its tank design, this steam engine is equipped with a large-capacity water tank that can provide up to 90 minutes of continuous steam cleaning. The water tank can hold 48 ounces of ordinary tap water, which can be heated to more than 200 degrees Fahrenheit in 12 minutes.

The on-demand variable steam flow system allows users to adjust the precise steam flow from low pressure to 58 pounds per square inch (psi). With the 18-foot-long power cord and 10-foot-long steam hose, you can easily access hard-to-reach spaces.

With 20 included accessories, the device can undertake a variety of household cleaning tasks. In addition to fresh interior decoration, this steamer is also suitable for ceramic tiles, sealed floors, grouting, etc. It measures 15.55 inches x 12.13 inches x 10.5 inches and weighs 10.78 pounds.

When carrying out large-scale cleaning tasks, this large-capacity steam cleaner should be competent. Thanks to the combination of portable cube units, which contains an impressive 54 ounce water tank, 16 feet of power cord and 6.5 feet of steam hose, the Dupray steam engine is able to provide 50 minutes of continuous steam and has enough mobility to reach the entire family Furniture and surfaces. The wheels on this steam cleaner can roll smoothly from room to room, and the retractable handle makes carrying this 9-pound device a breeze.

The water in the water tank can be heated to 275 degrees Fahrenheit in just 7 minutes, and the steam produced can kill 99.9% of bacteria, viruses and pathogens in upholstery, bedding and other household surfaces.

When those daily bad moments happen, this convenient steam cleaner can disinfect household surfaces (including interior decoration) in a short time. The 6-ounce water tank can be heated in just 3 minutes, generating 8 minutes of pressurized steam, which can remove 99.9% of germs and bacteria.

Despite its small size (only weighing 2.6 pounds), this hand-held cleaner has surprisingly many uses. Use one of the six included accessories to clean upholstered furniture and various hard surfaces in the kitchen and bathroom. The 12.5-foot-long power cord allows for easy operation, while the 28-inch extension hose provides greater capacity to reach remote surfaces and overlooked cracks.

This portable compact steam cleaner measures only 8.25 inches x 5.5 inches x 10.5 inches, making it a great choice for people who lack storage space.

This multi-purpose steam cleaner includes 19 accessories to perform various cleaning tasks at home. When cleaning upholstery, steam nozzles and nylon brushes are particularly useful. Functional accessories such as mops, brass utility brushes, scrubbing pads and squeegee not only help to clean and disinfect interior decoration, but also help seal floors, bathroom tiles, kitchen utensils and children’s toys. The 16-foot-long power cord and 79-inch steam hose, as well as wheels, rolling casters, and ergonomically designed curved handles provide enough mobility to reach many surfaces in the home.

In addition to removing dirt, grime, spills and dirt, this steam cleaner can also disinfect household surfaces. Invisible and unwelcome invaders, such as bacteria, bacteria, viruses, mold spores, and bed bugs, cannot be compared with pressurized steam at 226 degrees Fahrenheit.

The water tank of the Costway steam cleaner contains 52 ounces of water, which can be heated to produce steam in 10 minutes. It provides 45 minutes of continuous steam cleaning time. The device measures 17 inches x 11 inches x 14 inches and weighs 10.8 pounds.

This portable steam cleaner weighs only 2.2 pounds and can provide convenient and chemical-free cleaning of various household surfaces indoors and outdoors. The 9.8-foot-long power cord allows users to easily operate throughout the home.

This multifunctional device includes nine accessories for handling a series of cleaning tasks. In particular, the included extension hose, nylon brush, ironing brush and inclined nozzle can provide effective cleaning for upholstery. Additional accessories help to clean ceramic tiles, granite tiles, washable wallpaper, etc. in a targeted manner. The water heats to 289.4 degrees Fahrenheit in a few minutes, producing pressurized steam used to clean mattresses, bedding, furniture and curtains. Its convenient size and handheld design also make it the best choice for cleaning up spills and pet accidents. Use it on hard surfaces in bathrooms and kitchens to remove hard water deposits or disinfect food preparation areas.

With a steam cleaner, you can clean upholstery without using strong detergents, cleaners or chemicals. Using a small hand-held steam engine or a large device with an extension hose and nozzle, you can even clean and deodorize upholstered furniture and the most inaccessible corners and crevices of the car interior. In order to create a healthier home environment, steam cleaning upholstery can remove bacteria, mold, bacteria and bed bugs, giving you peace of mind. When you start using a new upholstery steam cleaner, the answers to the following frequently asked questions may help you.

Steam cleaners can be used on hard and soft household surfaces, including upholstery, clothing, sealed floors, ceramic tiles, grout, stainless steel, etc.

No. The main reason for using a steam cleaner is that the cleaning action comes from pressurized steam generated by hot water, which contains zero cleaning solutions or chemicals.

Pour cold water into the water tank of the steam cleaner. The heating element will heat the water to generate steam.

Yes. Steam cleaning can kill bed bugs on the surface of mattresses and bedding, as well as bed bugs embedded in the fabric surface 3/4 inch deep.

Place the steam nozzle on the surface of the cushion to release the steam, but keep it moving. Do not leave the nozzle in one place for too long to prevent the upholstery from getting wet.

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