How to Compare Floor Steamers

A floor steamer is also known as a steam cleaner. It is a type of vacuum cleaner that uses the germ-killing power of superheated steam to clean the carpets in your home. By using a steam cleaner regularly, problems like dust mites, bacteria and even allergens can become a thing of the past without the use of harsh chemicals or cleaning products. Prior to purchasing one for your home, you need to compare the various floor steamer options to choose the one that's right for you.

• 1

  Determine whether you need a large floor steamer or a smaller, economical model. If you have a large home or plan to steam clean multiple rooms at the same time, then you should choose a large floor steamer. For small houses or single room steam cleaning, a smaller model will work fine.

• 2

  Find floor steamer models that include variable steam control. This allows you to adjust the stream of the steam to clean different surfaces, including tile and grout.

• 3

  Pay attention to the cable length of the floor steamers you're comparing. The cable length will determine how far you can take the floor steamer from the power source to clean. For particularly large areas, a longer cable is desirable.

• 4

  Look for floor steamers that have a continuous refill option. This eliminates the need to wait for the steam cleaner to heat back up and allows you to continue to use the steamer until the job is done.

• 5

  Lift up the floor steamers you're comparing. This is especially important if you will be using the steamer in a multi-story home or on stairs. You should be able to lift it without straining.